It was hard not to notice the unique and intricate handicraft items laid out in Lily Silatolu’s stall during the recent National Women’s Expo.
Her innovative designs included pen holders and vases made out of coconuts, potted cactus plants, “Fiji Gold” beer top earrings, and many others.
Ms Silatolu has been making use of the items around her area especially the coconuts, and the little money she does spend on varnish and sandpaper goes a long way.
“We craftswomen have resources all around us, and we can clean the environment at the same time by picking up the coconuts are always flying all over the place” Ms Silatolu said.
One of the hardest aspects of being a craftswoman is being able to sell their items. Through the expo, Ms Silatolu feels she has been able to connect with other women and sell plenty of her craft items.
“The most important part of this event is the networking aspect, this is something that doesn’t happen enough,” Ms Silatolu said.
“Also at the expo, there have been brochures being passed around to support products from different companies which are Fijian Made.”
Ms Silatolu has been able to make her hobby into a business and has even got her family involved. Her children go out and help her pick the coconuts and then they help shape and polish them.
This ability to share her knowledge and network with others has landed her the role of co-ordinator in her province.
“I like to share whatever knowledge I have because when I look back to where I started, I can’t believe it.”
An interesting fact about the Raiwai craftswoman is that her niece, Charlene Tafunai, recently became Miss World Fiji.
“That was definitely a memorable moment for me,” Ms Silatolu said.
“I taught Charlene all about craftsmaking including how to make wall hangings and earrings, and it has become one of her hobbies.”
As competition has become increasingly tougher with crafts shops opening in Suva, Ms. Silatolu plans to open up shop somewhere and make this a permanent business.
Ms Silatolu plans to help school dropouts and single mothers by getting them into crafts making.
“When I hear school dropouts are living below the poverty line in Fiji I just say ‘no’, because there are so many things you could be making out of nothing.”
