Maggie is making sure everything is up to speed for the new academic year.
Here colour swatches are being printed with Dye -Sublimation (Transfer) printer ready for students to apply to fabrics in the Digital Textile Workshop
Aisha at work.
Alumni Katie Ray’s career…
I’ve been working at Neema Crafts as the Design Director for 4 years now.
Neema crafts is an incredible center based in the heartland of Tanzania, which works specifically with people with disabilities.We employ around 110 people with disabilities at our centre, most of whom have been trained to make high quality crafts.
There are so many aspects that I love about my job, but I’ll try and just mention a few.
Firstly I love the design side of my role. At the centre the options are almost endless, we have 8 different departments from weaving, tailoring, screen printing and carpentry.
When you combine all these skills in one place the creative potential is enormous and it’s my job to funnel this into new and exciting designs.
Secondly I’ve loved the challenge of creating a successful business.
Although we are primarily a charity, we believe in order to be sustainable long term we must run as a competitive business. Over the last few years we’ve worked on expanding our markets and building a good reputation across Tanzania based on the quality of our goods.
Finally I love what I do as I am using the skills that I gained on my degree course(BA Hons Textile Design for Fashion and Interiors at Bath Spa University) in a positive way.
We’re working with people that otherwise would most likely be begging on the streets for a living, instead of which they are now making beautiful crafts that are appreciated by the many people that pass through our doors each day.
This year we’ll be opening our online store in the UK and therefore start increasing our international market.
If you would like to know more about our centre check out our website http://www.neemacrafts.com
Best of luck with all you do and every success with the shop Katie.We can’t wait for it to go live.I have my eyes on a pair of shoes!
Third year student Rhian Beynon is having the most wonderful experiences and making fabulous memories while out in India.
Everyday Rhian is learning new skills, and tradition methods, in textile process.Selected by the British Council Rhian is throughly enjoying this extensive textile programme.
This is such a great start to her 3rd year.
We’re excited to she how all those new skills will be developed and shared in the Autumn.We can’t wait to hear and see the results.
Rhian says “We got a chance to try block printing in jodhpur which was great. They only use natural dyes and some of the blocks were over 500 years old! Such a great experience!
They block print about 25 saris a day each! Such talented people”
Part 1
https://thatswhatiwanttodo.com/2015/07/05/next-years-final-year-student-rhian-beynon/