Nasaria Budal has always had a soft spot for old-time Caymanian homes. It’s what inspired her to create keepsake embroidery hoops featuring Caymanian homes and buildings of yesteryear.
“A few years ago, I spent a year working at the National Trust for the Cayman Islands and I learned so much about how Caymanian cottages were built and the resilience of the homes,” she says.
“For me, they are a symbol of my country. Cayman shares so many similarities with other Caribbean islands – the culture, beaches, weather, carnival, food – but this one thing is very special to Caymanians.”
Nasaria has captured that cultural pride in a time-honoured way, but with a modern twist.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say, ‘I haven’t seen someone do needlework in years’,” she says.
The embroidery hoops are sold through Wood + Woven, a family venture launched by Nasaria with her partner Boris in March of 2021. They also produce painted driftwood, and driftwood wall hangings.
Nasaria is the senior crafter, while Boris handles the business aspect of the venture.
Their children are also learning the embroidery stitches, carrying the tradition forward to another generation.
This article appears in the Autumn/Winter 2021 issue of InsideOut magazine, now available at magazine stands and delivered to select homes in eco-tote bags sponsored by LIVING.KY.
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