Unlike her average peer, teenager Miranda James spends her free time crocheting, knitting, crafting and weaving hammocks in the comfort of her St Ignatius, Central Rupununi home. At only 14 years old, the artisan has already honed her skills well, having started when she was eight years old.
Among the crafts she creates are floor and table mats, clothing, earrings, dreamcatchers and hammocks. Miranda is the youngest of five children, but only she and one of her sisters have followed in their mother’s footsteps with regard to crocheting and weaving.
The teen has tailored her schedule in such a way that she focuses on school and chores during the day and on crafting at night. While she does admit she should be getting more rest, there are many times she is so engrossed in her knitting or crocheting that she can spend about eight hours on a piece of craft.
All her life, she said, she had seen her mother and aunt weaving and knitting, skills that have been passed down in her family. Her mother, she relayed, had told her that she also learnt her skills when she was a little girl.
When Miranda was eight years old, she was home from school after falling ill. Her mother, who was crocheting, began showing her how to do it. Miranda has never looked back.
Being the youngest, Miranda said, was lonely since none of her other siblings were close enough in age to her, so crafting was how she spent her time. Her favourite thing to do is knitting, which she pointed out is more of a hobby. Being caught up in knitting, she said, is both satisfying and relaxing.
Though she has years of craft making under her belt, the grade nine student is yet to establish a business from it. If anything, the pandemic has allowed people to slow down and spend time doing what they love. She has used the time to expand on her knowledge and skills by watching more YouTube tutorials resulting in her now looking to carve her niche in the business community. Should all go well, she hopes to have her crafts exhibited at the Lethem rodeo.
An aspiring biologist, Miranda loves science and art and plans on having the best of both worlds. At present, she is preparing to participate in an art competition by submitting a drawing. She said she is really looking forward to the competition.
She spoke of school being a challenge because of virtual teaching. Google Classroom is the medium through which she learns, but sometimes the WiFi connection is poor.
While she learnt the majority of her crafted skills at home, she shared about learning embroidery at school. Miranda is well respected by her classmates and teachers for her talent and her discipline. It is common for teachers to receive knitted gifts from the artisan, or sometimes earrings or beaded bracelets and wristbands.
Miranda’s mother and sister share a business and she helps to provide crafts and assists them in making hammocks. She pointed out that her family is her biggest inspiration and supporters and the reason she can do all she does today.
Miranda shared that one day she wishes to share her skills with some of the other youths in her village who are interested in learning. She said she hoped they would choose to learn some of these skills, adding that it is a way of helping to preserve their culture, provide for people’s livelihoods and also be a stress reliever.
Aside from studying biology, the St Ignatius Secondary student also hopes the opportunity arises where she could attend the E R Burrowes School of Art.
In her free time, she enjoys sitting with her father watching Brazilian news. Asked if she understands Portuguese, she said that she knows a little as her relatives on her father’s side live in Brazil and when they visit sometimes, she communicates with them.
Mixed with Macushi and Wapishiana, Miranda also wants to learn both dialects.
This Taurus teenager’s favourite dish to eat is boiled turtle eggs.
To check out more of Miranda’s work or to place orders she can be reached via her mother’s Facebook accounts: Adeline James or Adeline Baretto.
