As Saint Lucia approaches its Independence celebrations, local artisans at Blue Coral Mall are transforming the national occasion into a vibrant platform for cultural expression and economic resilience. These craftspeople are not merely displaying their creations but are actively preserving traditions while navigating significant entrepreneurial challenges.
Terril Nicholas of Illuminating Designs represents the passionate spirit of these artisans. What began as a hobby evolved into a full-time vocation in 2008. “Crafting was always my parallel pursuit regardless of my employment situation,” Nicholas recounted. Her transition to professional artistry confronted substantial obstacles, particularly import duties and material accessibility. “Securing raw materials remains our most persistent challenge,” she noted, highlighting the financial constraints of island-based production. Despite these hurdles, Independence provides crucial exposure opportunities: “This season lets us showcase our products while proudly displaying the national colors.”
Nicholas’s copper creations embody both artistic vision and functional benefits. “I create entirely self-inspired pieces without digital references,” she emphasized. Her copperwork extends beyond aesthetics, offering purported health advantages including improved circulation and arthritic pain relief.
Similar narratives of innovation echo throughout the mall. Em’s Creations distinguishes itself through inventive material reuse, particularly with can caps. Francis Beverly Pierre of Goshen Pierre Plus has developed a commemorative jigsaw puzzle honoring Saint Lucia’s Nobel laureates—economist Sir Arthur Lewis and poet Sir Derek Walcott. “This collector’s item represents what we want to preserve about our heritage,” Pierre explained, noting strong interest from international visitors seeking meaningful souvenirs.
The textile arts find vibrant expression through Samantha Suzy Rosanna Alexander’s Suzy Dezigns. Her crochet journey began at age eight under maternal guidance. “My mother knitted all our childhood clothes,” Alexander recalled. Her business emerged organically in 2016 when floral arrangement classes sparked demand for crochet accessories. “People began requesting earrings and brooches featuring my floral designs,” she said.
Generational craftsmanship continues through Constance A. Alexander, who has maintained crochet traditions since the 1960s. Meanwhile, Marina Monroque-Lafeuillee of Belle Lici Designs demonstrates extraordinary resourcefulness, having initially crafted tools from coconut branches and flower sack threads. “I sharpen coconut leaf bones to create knitting needles,” she shared, embodying the innovative spirit that characterizes Saint Lucian artisans.
Despite their creativity, these entrepreneurs face shared challenges: limited retail spaces, export barriers, and material import complexities. Yet Independence celebrations provide vital temporary venues and international exposure. Many artisans already reach overseas markets through initiatives like Export Saint Lucia’s London store, but aspire to broader global recognition while maintaining their distinctive cultural identities.