Artisan Alexandra Willabus specialises in making matching African sets – skirt, purse, necklace, band and head wrap – but those who do not want to go all out can also choose a single piece. The exquisite details in her creation make them appear machine made, but they are all handcrafted and take hours, sometimes days to complete.
At 22, the recent University of Guyana graduate with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations is quite ambitious as she is the owner of two businesses. The talented young woman also spends a lot of time filling orders for accessories made of African print, beads, wire and ribbon, which include necklaces, earrings, bands, handbags, slippers, brooches, headwraps (including turbans), and macrame purses made from polythene or crochet twine.
Alexandra took up crafting accessories a few years ago. It was through this that her business Eccentric Creations, which turned three years old last August, was born. The artisan shared that it all began when members from her church, Paradise Assembly of God, requested that she make them ribbon hair accessories. However, she made more than required and as such secured a booth at the upcoming church fair to sell the rest of them. Her business was launched on Facebook the next day.
Yet, her love for art started back when she attended North Georgetown Secondary School and was fascinated with tie-dye, drawing and painting.
Her business, she noted, is not a one-woman’s show as she gets help from her grandmother, who makes some of the beaded accessories, while her mother makes the skirts and neckties. Though the three women share the responsibilities, Alexandra has at one point or another made every item on her product list. She enjoys making African print accessories more because of the vibrant colours.
Eccentric Creations skirts were launched last year for Emancipation Day. Customers had the option of purchasing just the skirt, or getting it as part of a package which included a matching purse, necklace, band and head wrap. Customers, she said, welcomed the idea of the package and realising much they loved it, she plans to throw in a matching blouse for Emancipation Day this year.
Alexandra is always working on a new piece, but said she is not always impressed by her work. However, it brings her great satisfaction and motivation when customers get excited over her pieces. She laughed as she shared that many of her customers are on the dramatic side so it is
always pleasant to see them display exhilaration when they pick up an Eccentric Creations piece.
Alexandra explained that she likes to make unique pieces, noting that she brainstorms designs. Sometimes she gets inspiration from Pinterest but she builds on them so it is never a look alike.
Her brooches are not the most popular. They are usually ordered at particular times like for International Women’s Day. Usually, ministries and organisations purchase them in celebration of women. She intends to make some for the Mashramani season in the colours of the Golden Arrowhead.
“It’s not always great, sometimes you get a lot of sales this month then next month you don’t make a lot because there are no holidays. But, I don’t really look at the sales, for me it’s more about the support I’m getting,” said the artisan.
While the majority of her support comes from the locals, she has international customers also who are often looking to return to their place of abode with a gift from Eccentric Creations for a loved one. For shipping outside of Guyana, she depends on the post office, DHL or Laparkan.
While most of her sales come through social media, exhibition and sale events have played an integral part in getting word out. She has participated in the Women in Business Expo, Curl Fête, Christmas Village, and exhibition and sales at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre exhibition and the Square of the Revolution.
The exhibitions, she noted, do not always provide on-the-spot sales as prospective customers may want another design or colour. Sometimes, she is booked at the exhibition to provide her service for another occasion.
Alexandra takes pride in the items she makes. Her favourite is the African print slippers which she wears often, noting that they are comfortable.
Meanwhile, customers prefer her purse and earring combo. Customers, Alexandra said, often pair the combo with a plain outfit giving it that needed pop of colour.
“A simple stud earring with a choker takes about 20 minutes to make but when it comes to the more intricate pieces….they take hours. Some can take two days,” Alexandra shared.
While most of her pieces are made on order, Eccentric Creations also has readymade pieces for customers wanting to make last minute purchases. Her readymade products are available at Elysian Store on Duncan Street, which has shelves available for persons wanting to sell their products. This is ideal for her as she lives at Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara. However, Eccentric Creations also provides delivery. Her mother, Shauna Willabus, who she deems her biggest supporter, is always encouraging and goes the extra mile to take care of delivery.
A dancer at her church, Alexandra provides dance accessories through her second business Majestic Designs and Accessories. This business provides flags, gloves, props and instruments needed for Christian dances. Majestic Designs and Accessories will complete a year in March.
What does she do in her downtime? The artisan chuckled at this question noting that for her there is no downtime with her businesses, honing her talents, her studies, and dance among her other obligations at her church.
Alexandra also has to make the time to go shopping for materials to make her pieces. She tries to do so once a week. She sources a great deal of her materials from Guyana Stores as well as stores along Regent Street, and from overseas.
Looking back to where she was in 2018 when she became serious about her passion, the artist said her talent has evolved immensely. Even so, she hopes to take her sewing skills up a notch. Designing was something Alexandra had hoped to take up, having created a book of dress designs while growing up. At the moment, she can sew skirts and pants but has on her vision board for this year, intricate dress styles and wedding gowns. She is also working towards having her own store.
To place an order for one of her creations, Alexandra can be reached at eccentric.creationsbylexi@gmail.com or 614-6855. She can also be followed on Facebook and Instagram @ Eccentric Creations and on TikTok @EccentricCreations592.
