Meet Sachaa, the bead artist

 

With the festive season offering all round fun and excitement, some enterprising teenagers have ventured in business.
Art like any other profession is an    inborn talent that flows in the veins.
There are also some many names that come to mind whenever art is mentioned and these include the likes of Dominic Benhura, Washington Msonza, Tapfuma Gutsa and Tanyanyiwa Sakarombe among oth­ers who have made it big in the sector.

Different art genres such as music, dance, drama, sculpting and beading have sustained livelihoods of many people around the world.
Beading has always been consid­ered a poor man’s trade, with some regarding it as a genre only for men and taboo for women to try it out.
But some women including teenage girls are challenging this tra­ditional notion.

Drawing inspiration from the hard- working village women, 18-year-old Sachaa van Biljon wants to make a dif­ference with her unique pieces of bead art.
She started like any other child- playing with her beads and little did she know that one day someone would be wearing her art around their necks and on their wrists.
Having ventured into the beadwork realm six months ago, the teenager said she was keen to find a market for her well-crafted beads and pearls.

“My friends encouraged me to do beading with pearls, limestone and semi-precious stones when I was lit­tle.
“I first fell in love with beads from the moment I received one as a gift when I was 12 years old,” she said.
According to Sachaa, her artwork is not an imitation of what she sees either on television or in magazines,  but in her dreams.

“Each time I sleep I dream of a new designs,” she said.
Sachaa has caused a stir with her popular beaded necklaces and bracelets referred to as chambolaa by many.
Similar beaded art pieces are also popular in the hip-hop industry with  United States rappers Drake, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna being some of the artistes who have been seen wearing the necklaces and bracelets.

Sachaa also makes keyrings and ankle-lets and charmed bracelets among others.
The former ILSA College student   said she is now focusing on doing her art.
“Art is my passion and apart from my dreams I also derive inspiration from God and my personal life expe­riences.

Sachaa added that she had dressed local acts like High Definition, Swisha House and Dem Boys among others.
Commenting on the challenges she faces in her trade, Sachaa said artists  lack exposure and funding.
However, the teen said she wants to study business management and tourism next year.

“Currently, I am waiting for my Advanced Level results and I wish to go to university and study business management and tourism and hospi­tality,” she said.
Sachaa, who was born in family of four and attends River of Life Church, said her role model was Desmond Mhlanga, her friend.

“Desmond has been my pillar of strength and I owe a lot to him. He encourages me and is also the one who helps me with importing fresh water pearls, limestone and metal charms among others.
“He has shown me that beads do have significance in our lives,” she said.