This handmade creation is offered in partnership with NOVICA, in association with National Geographic. Centered by brass inserts, this wristband bracelet for men is by Gill Quarcoopome in Ghana. The masculine bracelet is crafted of quality leather in black, creating a handsome contrast.
Product Features:
- Dimensions: 8.5" L x 0.6" W
- Weight: 0.39 oz
- Style: Wristband
- Color: Black
- Materials: Leather with brass inserts
- Clasp: Fancy, Button
- Care instruction: Avoid contact with water
- Made in Ghana
Story Behind the Art:
Opportunities come up and sometimes we don't see them or don't want to take a risk but this is one way of moving forward - a leap in the dark. I have always loved making things - from paper, cloth, wood, metal or anything to make something useful out of a basic raw material - and leather is such a versatile material. I started with soft leather scraps to make small purses and belts with jigsaw-like patterns and went on to experiment with different leathers for sandals. I have large feet so even at age 16, I was trying to make my own footwear. When I was at University studying German, I was still making things to sell. I went to Greece after getting a rather disappointing degree and tried to learn shoe-making but ended up with an exciting holiday and a passion for leatherwork, rather than developing lot more skills. I learnt more back in England from an Irish friend and a short course in saddlery. In 1975 I was working for a government agency but still making items in leather and was asked to demonstrate leatherwork at a 10 day craft fair in the north of England, where I was living. After that fair I was offered the chance to teach evening classes and the chance to rent a small workshop. So I decided to give up the security of my job, took a leap and haven't looked back. Opportunities come up and sometimes we don't see them or don't want to take a risk but this is one way of moving forward - a leap in the dark.
I exhibited at trade fairs and supplied boutiques. I also made items to customer specifications, from a telescope case, a motorcycle seat, or a medicine bag, to briefcases, bags, belts and sandals, from baby sizes to 48 men's using a range of 22 colors. In the same year I met my future husband whose father had been a shoemaker in Ghana - an unlikely coincidence. He was working on the oil rigs in the far north of Britain and so I had a lot of time to myself to concentrate on getting a small business organized. We decided to try working in Ghana, his home, in 1989, taking with us an 11 month old baby girl, most of my machines, and very little money. I had taken a course teaching English as a foreign language, so when we arrived I was lucky to find a job at the Ghana International School, all the while continuing to make leather bags, belts and sandals to busy teachers. He had a job in construction.
Kofi Ansah, a fashion designer, encouraged me to decorate some belts for him with Ghanaian glass beads and brass figures. This inspired a style that has developed in many directions since his exhibition at the British Council in the early 1990's. I now use old trade beads, new recycled glass and plastic beads, bone beads and as well as brass beads, discs and animal buckles together with different textured and colored leathers. Since 1999 I have been producing mainly for the local market but I am always happy to export.
Please allow 10 business days for the product to leave our warehouse and to receive tracking information. You should expect to receive this item within 15 business days.