Hope Bay doll maker turns trash into art
Published:Saturday | April 23, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Jermaine Francis, Gleaner Writer
HOPE BAY, Portland:
Marsha-Lee Hamilton is a normal 19-year-old young lady who hails from the small community of Caenwood Heights in Hope Bay, Portland. However, she is involved in the very sophisticated art of doll making from recycled materials.
She was recently named third runner-up in the Jamaica 4-H Clubs Girl of the year, after placing first in her parish, Portland. But despite her third-place finish, Marsha-Lee says she thoroughly believes in her art and she enjoys making her dolls from recycled materials.
At the Jamaica 4-H Clubs' Achievement Day activities that were held on the Denbigh Showground in Clarendon, Marsha-Lee had two of her dolls - one male and one female - on display inside the Portland booth. The dolls were made from recycled stockings, wool, wadding, and other scrap materials which replicated the traditional green and white uniforms of the 4-H Clubs in commemoration of the clubs' 71st anniversary.
In fact, she said all the materials used on the dolls, including the packaging, were all discarded materials.
"I also made the package that you see the dolls in from scratch. The outside I got from waste paper from printers in Kingston. When they throw out the spoilt paper, I use them and paint on my own labels," Marsha-Lee stated.
"I also utilise the old plastic folder jackets, that you always throw away, for the display area in the box," she related, while pointing to her innovation.
Intrigued by craft
The upper sixth-form science student at Titchfield High School said when she was growing up she was always intrigued by craft and always tried new ways to express her creativity. In addition to the dolls, she also indulges in the making of teddy bears and soft-furnishings on the sewing machine she has at home.
"I learn to make them by watching others, and I am also naturally artistic. But since I love craft-making, I tend to read a lot of craft magazines, too so I can learn new methods and ways of putting things together," Marsha-Lee said.
As to her reasons for using recycled material, she says this is her way of playing her part in protecting the environment, and the materials are easily available and less expensive.
Marsha-Lee said that because of school, she is not able to make her dolls and other craft items as much as she would like to, but she plans on creating these, especially the dolls, on a large scale, and someday she hopes to start her own traditional craft-making business.