Submitted by Taylor Straub on the 2017 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies…
One of our cultural excursions was a trip to a wood shop. It was a family run business out of a woman’s home. The masterpieces that were displayed were beautiful and were made with such detail and compassion. There were many different kinds of wood used to make animals, clocks, jewelry boxes, key chains, etc. Each product had a different color, shape or type of wood giving it a unique touch. This wood shop has attracted people from various places in Barbados as well as from other countries around the world. This family each has a job to fulfill and they complete it with such grace and dedication to the world of craftsmanship.
The woman’s eyes grew and her smile widened as she talked about the skills and processes that are required for making her products. The sole purpose of the business is to keep her father’s legacy of craftsmanship alive. Each person involved in this family business is genuinely dedicated to showing the value that they have to bring to the craft world.