It’s all about tinsel at the craft centre

Christmas has come early at the Namibia Craft Centre as three women artists present ‘I Feel Betta with Lametta’, an exhibition and pop-up shop with some festive flair.

Featuring festival fashion and accessories by Nockels Werner, nature-inspired Christmas cards and decorations by Susi Asmus and home decor by Margit Calegari, the annual exhibit is on display until 30 October.

While the title may not immediately seem seasonal, Werner is happy to expand our vocabularies.

“Lametta is tinsel, that shiny stuff you hang on Christmas trees. ‘I feel better with tinsel’ refers to feeling better in that Christmas vibe. And it rhymes.”

Returning to the Namibia Craft Centre’s Omba Gallery as a showcase of the artists’ three distinct talents and personalities, ‘I Feel Betta with Lametta’ is a wealth of decor and gift items with Namibia at heart.

“Margit Calegari specialises in lamp making. This year, she had a new lamp. It was a cactus that was dried, hollowed out and sandblasted, and then she put twinkle lights inside,” says Werner.

“She also had a new collection of Perspex animals which you can hang on the wall. Her sleeper wood lamps, spray paint art, and clocks are her classics,” she says.

This year, Asmus is back with her signature upcycling of found and natural objects.

“Susi specialises in Christmas decorations made from natural elements. She lives on the farm and she collects things like seed pods, feathers and sand throughout the year,” says Werner.

“Susi has been in the crafting business since the early 90s and was involved in the opening of the craft centre. Her expertise in terms of Namibian decoration with natural elements is second to none.”

Considering the offering from her own brand, ‘Made by Nockels’, Werner has been delighted with the positive feedback on her development as a fashion designer, bag maker and creative.

A pair of jeans teeming with red and gold bits and baubles are characteristic of Werner’s offbeat aesthetic and are at once seasonally suitable, yet entirely eccentric.

“I do festival fashion and make bags with a focal point of trying to incorporate Namibian elements. For my bags, I try to only use Namibian leather. I love to recycle. I also love using second-hand fashion and pimping it up,” she says.

While her fashion is more of a collection of statement pieces, the designer also strives to create bags that feel timeless.

“It’s always a pleasure exhibiting at the craft centre. The number of wonderful people who come by and appreciate your things and the chats you have are actually solely worth the exhibition,” says Werner.

“We’re always having a jol.”

Presenting your fancy of seasonal cards, Christmas fare, fashion items and home decor, ‘I Feel Betta with Lametta’ is a warm Namibian welcome to the festive season.

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on X and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com