Page 12 - Designing Ways 238

TRADE
WINDS

Handmade is forever not for just now

hreadmovers was founded in 2019 knitting and textile art. The programme
borne out of a love for crafts and was conceptualised to provide informal
Tthe design of handmade items. support to prisoners at Leeukop Prison.
The company’s philosophy is that each However, demand for community
handmade item is about people and not upliftment resulted in the Academy
machines, and it’s about the skill of each opening its doors to unemployed youths
maker and the magic of their creation. at the beginning of 2020.
When you buy handmade you are trading The Craft and Business Academy
money for a uniquely created cool object, embarked on the program offered by
and purchasing handmade supports local Afrika Tikkun to develop young people
people to become experienced in various
The world is moving towards people aspects of business. The learners are
filling their homes with unique items that trained in a multitude of crafts, business
reflect their individual style, and many management and marketing to enable
of us prefer the quality of handmade them to become successful entrepreneurs.
goods to manufactured alternatives and Threadmovers are delighted to be part
see buying handmade as a way of quietly of this community initiative supporting
(or perhaps loudly) protesting against local talent and helping create sustainable
mass produced goods. During the midst local employment.
of the Covid-19 pandemic new ideas Threadmovers sell beautiful
were explored to provide employment handcrafted rugs, table mats and runners
opportunities for people who wanted to made from 100% wool. The use of this
bolster their monthly income. So, in order natural fibre supported by our community
to create stock for resale, exploratory upliftment initiatives, is a unique concept
meetings were held with Craft and and one that we are very proud of.
Business Academy to partner with them Our products are stylish and
to take the business to a new level and sophisticated, and wool’s rich history
support local community and upliftment as a floor covering material means your
initiatives. wool rug will lend an air of unparalleled
The Craft and Business Academy authenticity and class to your home and sheep providing high quality wool for
has been operating since 2009 with the that a man-made fibre simply cannot this purpose. In essence, your purchase
vision behind the initiative to become a match. Wool has a long tradition as a provides real living wages, helps uplift
community development centre. Assisting natural material and particularly as a communities, and supports a tradition
the unemployed and less advantaged floor covering material because its very of skilled work meaning that buying
through a sponsorship programme, the structure makes it ideally suited to this local has never been more desirable and
Craft and Business Academy was founded. purpose. Even before 500BC it is thought relevant. dw
The Academy started off a quilting shop, Persian nomads knew about the use of
teaching quilting, beading, crochet, knotted carpets with their herds of goats www.threadmovers.co.za

12 Issue 238 • dw