Kreative Karen has an eye for fashion

Karen Thorne has a gift. She always did, but perhaps only realised she had it about ten years ago.

She first took an ice cream bucket a few years ago, made some adjustments to it, reinforced it and converted it into a sturdy, colourful waste receptacle. And that got her started.

This Sunday at Solidarity House from 7 p.m. patrons will get the chance to see how far she has come.

Eight models will be on the ramp displaying some of her creations which range from headwear and footwear to beautifully crafted accessories.

Thorne is the owner of Kaysati Kreations & Designs
which specialises in hand-made jewellery and accessories, hats, shoes, gift and fruit baskets, curtains and chair covers, among other areas.

She can also outfit persons who are getting married or little ones for their baby showers. She also specialises in providing events décor.

“I am self-taught,” she told Barbados TODAY, “things in the stores tend to be too expensive, so what I used to do for myself I have branched it out into a little business. So things like shoes that people might want to throw away, I can bring them back to life. So bring them to me,” she said.

Thorne’s creations often represent specific seasons and she is currently letting her creative juices flow with Barbados’ Independence celebrations in mind.

Some of her hats and jewellery will demonstrate the importance of November 30 to Barbadians.

The designer told Barbados TODAY she would dearly love the opportunity to teach persons – children especially – how to express themselves through craft in a formal setting.

The Lancaster, St James resident noted that when young people learn from an early age to be creative and to use objects around them that others might not  see the value of, that represented the beginning of being self-sufficient, and not only having the ability to earn from their talents but to save money.

“I don’t always have to go in any store and expense myself. There are so many things that can be recycled and with a bit of thought and commitment people can make beautiful things out of what others might consider to be nothing,” she said.

Thorne stated that she absolutely loves what she does. She explained that it takes her about 45 minutes to create some of her pieces but depending on the intricacy of the work that might stretch into double that time.

She was full of praise for promoter and Barbados’ musical icon Richard Stoute.

“He has been very supportive and has allowed me to display my craft at his Teen Talent Show. I really appreciate him for doing that,” she said.

Thorne added she was eagerly looking forward to this Sunday’s session at Solidarity House.

“This will be the first time that I will be having models displaying my work. In addition to the adult models, there will also be children displaying pieces for that age group. So I hope people come out and see what we have in store,” she said.

And there is one special thing Thorne would like to do.

“I love the Governor General Dame Sandra Mason and I would love to make a hat for her. I love hats and I realize she does too, I wish there was some way that I could get the chance to make a hat for her, I would love that,” she said. (WG)