POET DIVERSIFIES INTO MACRAME CRAFTS
The creative artist, Enaleona Memory Manyeagae is constant that a creative’s world has to be diverse, and she just lives through this notion to elevate the local creatives industry.
She is well- known for her spoken word poetry and music, but has recently added Macrame crafting to her creative basket. She tells BG Style that she is always looking out for something new to do, because she does not believe in idling.
“Last year in Novemver, I had a hand in organising a show that was on a tight
budget; we had to come up with ways to make decorations ourselves, and as a creative, I had to think outside the box. I decided to do dream catchers for the space, and everyone was impressed. This was the initial journey towards my macramé work as I later on made my first pot hanger through the help of YouTube tutorials, and three months later I am now creating more complicated and daring projects like macrame shelves, and purses,” she shares. She emphasizes that curiosity keeps her going and she believes that with her new craft of macramé, she will somehow sell Botswana somewhere in the creative space. “My crafts can be used to beautify both personal or business spaces,
they add texture to a space and are practical,” she says noting that everyone is her target audience as her mission is to beautify any kind of space both for personal interplanetary, or business spaces such as lodges, museums and so forth. She also adds that her pieces are equally good for serving as unique gifts. So far, the Maun native, has some of her work on display at a local art spot called Halethaba Artspace at Maun Old mall. “I am also anticipating to have my work on display at the first pop up market, Saturday Harvest at Kwa Ga Ncici by end of this month,” she says, telling BG Style that she is already satisfied with the feedback she gets as people are supportive of her
work. Asked what sets her apart from other creatives focusing on Macrame, she highlights that the Macrame use has diversified throughout the world but still new to Batswana.
“I believe that my crafts are not just ordinary but of world standard with a local touch like the most loved leteisi on my macrame purses.
I had to be that unique and by introducing something new without forgetting the local element touch,” she says. Her other marketing form has been through Facebook on her page ‘ The Memory Bw’ which she says has connected her to many people interested in her work. She plans on growing bigger on this Macramé art, and to even
introduce macramé clothing.
“I wish to eventually open a creative space inclusive of a craft shop where people can learn how to express themselves through different crafts and also have a space for them to sell these crafts,” she says. She says what mostly keeps her going as a creative is believing in exploring the creative space, without any hesitation.
“My own thrill of seeing what I can do with my hands as well as the financial gain are what keeps me going, and as for competition, It’s part of the game; I just focus my energy on making my products outstanding so that for those who choose mine, they get their money’s worth,” says Manyeagae, the creative.