The story of the Darling Craft Cooperative is one of difficulties ultimately overcome. What began as a training programme has grown into an independent business.
The Darling Trust opened the Craft and Skills Development Centre in April 2006. The centre trained unemployed people in various crafts, such as beading, embroidery and weaving. The beautiful handmade crafts they made included jewellery, cushions, clothes, accessories and a variety of other items. Each piece made is signed by the crafter who made it.
The Craft Centre did very well and trained over 50 people. In the end, the Centre followed its natural evolution and a group of crafters decided to form their own business in the form of a cooperative. Tilla Philips, Jemaine October, Veyonne Solomon, Desiree Adams, Cathrin Loubser and Sylvia Mateyise are the five women who make up the Darling Craft Cooperative. Their beading and embroidery skills are second only to their enthusiasm and creativity!
The Darling Craft Cooperative is still in the early stages of development having only been founded in late 2008. The future is, however, looking bright and we are so excited to see how the Cooperative develops further.
Please consider supporting this fledgling business. They are able to bead company logos onto keyrings, bags, etc. They are also able to make items to order. The sky is the limit!
