When we arrived, the artisan’s complex was still locked up so Harold and I pulled up a cinder block and talked for a while. Soon, the grounds keeper showed up and began sweeping the porch and patio area. Still no keys to get inside and set up, so again, realizing we were on Haitian time, we kicked back and enjoyed the morning breeze. One by one the women began arriving, one of which had a key. So the doors opened and we all began bringing out supplies for a second day of art classes. Once all the supplies were laid out, I began with a short demonstration of putting jump rings on our miniature dolls from the day before. Then we moved on to creating fabric beads with deco-page. Part of the instruction was on coordination of fabrics so the beads would enhance the miniature dolls that would be incorporated into the same piece. The final piece would have a fabric bead, then doll, then bead, doll, bead, doll, bead, etc. They did a great job of coming up with pleasing combinations and spent the next several hours cutting long, long, skinny triangles of fabric, maybe ½” wide and 18” long and then rolling them around a wooden skewer with a 50/50 solution of white glue and water. The final product reminded me of shish-kabobs, so we began referring to them as bead-kabobs.
As we transitioned into afternoon, we took the same technique and applied to paper beads. Because paper is much thinner than fabric, these beads were longer and flatter.
I kept asking the ladies to make them smaller, but they didn’t adjust much. So I tossed out a competition for a prize, telling them that the student who makes the most “petite” bead would take home the prize. That was all I had to say! Beads got smaller and smaller with one student after another bringing them to me for inspection. The winner’s bead was just maybe 3/8” long with 3 others coming real close but a bit longer.
We ended the day with a demonstration on how to stretch our own canvas. If they are able to get a hold of any cotton duck, even denim, and a bucket of gesso (heavy white acrylic sizing agent), they will be able to prepare their own canvas for paintings at a very minimal cost. Our figures today told us small paintings would have a cost of a mere .30 with large 2’ x 2½’ costing maybe $2. If they enjoy making these, and can get the supplies at a fair cost, they may even be able to make them and sell them to other local artists outside the HAPI Artisan Co-op. Another great opportunity for entrepreneurship!
We wrapped up the day and after cleaning up the beautiful mess we had made, Stephanie and I walked back to the Methodist complex to check on the others. The work team had been sifting gravel through screens once again, in addition to mixing concrete and pouring the floor in the new cistern. The bucket brigade was called into action to get the concrete from point A to point B, and by the looks of their clothes, they splashed as much as they transported. I am told the receiving end of the bucket brigade did their best to amuse themselves by going through the alphabet for this topic or the other, such as countries, boys and girls names, and fruit. My guess is, the Haitians who knew a bit of englise’ probably thought the team was nearing heat stroke.
When I arrived, oversize concrete blocks were being carried one by one to the work site. The dilemma arose of how to get each block to the bottom of the pit. At first they carried them down a handmade wood ladder. That didn’t last long before ingenuity burgeoned. Next, they tried a 1” x 12” x 24’ as a slide. They worried about the block falling off the side, so they tried laying a second on its side to create an edge but that didn’t work either. You could hear 12-15 Haitians all brainstorming together. It was quite a lively conversation. The final invention entailed sliding a block down the 24’ length of board into a soft pile of loose gravel dust as a cushion. Before the cushion was added, 1 in about every 4 blocks broke when they hit bottom. But the new cushioned technique seemed to have a better outcome. After having another lively discussion on how the start laying the block in the bottom of the cistern, the day wrapped up and we all went back home for the night.
A delicious dinner including creamed cornmeal, white rice, and a chicken with greens stew rounded out the night. It looks like it’s going to be a quiet night on the porch. Some are playing games, some just gabbing, while others are sitting in rockers, happy to just be. Hard to believe when we wake tomorrow we will be past half way in our trip. My how time flies when you are enjoying life with friends… and one more thought: one of our team members Earl Miller is now officially a grandfather!! He just called home on the satellite phone and got the exciting news. The reception wasn’t good, so all he knows is Phoebe Jane is here!! More news to come…
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