For the past four years, Leaundre Mason has been designing and making accessories. From pretty bows for girls’ hair, to sleek bowties for men, her Gifted Hands Collection items add a pop of colour or a finish to clients’ looks.
The 25-year-old teacher grew up in the church and has been part of her church’s dance group for some time. It was through this group that Leaundre’s talent unfolded. According to the young woman, one day, while preparing to perform at a special occasion, she decided she wanted a look that was deserving of the event. She took on the project of making herself, a floral crown. When she showed up wearing the creative and colourful piece, her fellow dancers and adults commended her on a job well done. Someone told her that her hands were gifted and encouraged her to keep at it. A short time later, Leaundre was tasked with making floral crowns for the other dancers as well.
She subsequently began braiding hair ribbons from yarn and also used satin ribbons to create stylish hair combs and clips. In 2018, Leaundre decided to focus more on her hobby, making it a side job as orders came in. She began experimenting with making other accessories and today also makes bowties, turban headbands, turban hats, corsages, bouquets and fashion ties.
All of her accessories are made by hand. When asked about her favourite creations, Leaundre said items for weddings. She does packages for weddings inclusive of the bouquets for the bridal party and is currently booked for a wedding scheduled for August.
“I had a bride message me saying that she saw that I made bouquets and had checked out my page and liked what she saw. Her wedding was in January and she wanted me to make her bouquet. When she came to uplift it and saw it, her facial expression said it all. She later commented on my page to keep up the good work,” enthused Leaundre. She noted that this particular job had been very fulfilling.
The young woman said that she finds making her accessories therapeutic and looks forward to using her hands this way. And it never feels structured for her. As the orders pour in, the talented young woman said, each piece she makes is an expression of her creativity.
The most challenging accessory to make, she said, is the fashion tie. This accessory is quickly becoming a trend at special occasions. They are similar to neck ties but are more intricately designed and some come accessorized with pearl beads. There is no single particular design for these ties, Leaundre shared; each one is different. Clients would send her pictures and she would get to work on the design for them. Sometimes the pictures are too complex to turn into designs, Leaundre said, and she would have to turn clients down. But she is hoping to change this as she is constantly watching YouTube tutorials and always working on improving her skill. On the other hand, the easiest accessory to make is the bowtie.
When the entrepreneur, dancer, teacher, and ardent Christian was asked how she finds time to do it all, Leaundre simply said, “With God, all things are possible”. Additionally, she is studying a hair course at the Carnegie School of Home Economics. She shared that while she has no interest in opening a hair salon, hairstyling is one of her new hobbies. She also started the course as a way of staying occupied because the bridal accessory course she wanted to do at the school is full. She has to wait until they are registering students again.
Most of her designing and crafting is done at nights or on weekends when she is free from teaching.
Leaundre enjoys making floral crowns or halo crowns. Her floral crowns are a big hit with friends and while her favourite colours are pink and purple, she has them in several colours. This allows her to match them with different outfits.
For someone as occupied as Leaundre, one would think she might rest whenever she has free time but instead she watches YouTube tutorials on perfecting a particular accessory, makes plans to improve her business or goes out with friends. She is moving towards creating accessories full time one day and hopes that in the coming years Gifted Hands Collection will make it internationally.
She credits where she is now to the members of her church who saw her potential when she could not. “This was a talent I didn’t know I had,” she said. But her biggest supporter is her mother with whom she lives at La Parfait Harmonie.
Persons wishing to place orders for an accessory are asked to do so at least a week prior; larger orders would require more time. With no storefront yet though Leaundre does plan to have one eventually, clients can call is 663-5657. Leaundre can be followed on Facebook or Instagram at Gifted Hands Collection.
