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Some of the items that were being displayed[/caption]Sculptors displayed incredible pieces, most of which are made of soapstone, that are perfect for home or office aesthetic. Their pieces were also functional, like one pale white bowl I loved. Dennis, the man in charge of sales on the day, told me: "We create these items from the hardest stone. It usually takes us about six weeks to finish a piece. Some of these pieces can be used to hold snacks such as groundnuts or popcorns for when you're watching a movie at home."
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A vendor showcasing a product[/caption]But not every piece of art on display took that long to make. "At the factory, we take about a day to make these items," said Agnes of Rift Africa Leather. Rift Africa is a Kenyan leather house that makes and sells leather pieces ranging from passport holders, coasters and even coolers. The attendance from the public was very good as noted by Agnes who told me they had made more sales than expected.
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Leather pieces from Rift Africa Leather[/caption]The Handmade Market is an initiative by the mall to promote local talent. Nearly all of the pieces are handcrafted which makes their worth that little more special. Everything here was created with a keen attention to detail. This rings true for Jabeen, the lady behind Jabeen's Collection. She was selling her own jewellery and dress creations. She also had accessories such as pouches made of intricate beadwork and leather. "This pouch has longevity. The leather may get cracks over time but the beads never come off." These are the things worth investing in.
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Jabeen of Jabeen Collection with a client[/caption]There were about 10 stands at the market, each offering something unique. The items were also affordable, evident by the number of people making purchases. Rosslyn Riviera has brought a unique twist to the regular Maasai Markets with The Handmade Market, and we can't wait for the next one.
