Artisan comes back with new upholstery skills |12 June 2010

The Praslinois, who is already in the business of stuffing cushions to upholster car seats, as well as making overalls, coats and sails, said she “does not regret attending the training because though it was intense it was very fruitful”.

The training was partly sponsored by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) of Mauritius and the Small Enterprise Promotion Agency (Senpa) in Seychelles.

Smeda organises short training programmes, seminars and workshops in many countries to raise awareness and capacity building for small and medium enterprises.

Mrs César said she has learned many new techniques – including how to use patterns and different types of fabrics – to upholster chairs and couches.

“Now I am able to manipulate different tools and equipment like staple guns, electric screwdrivers and the double-ended machine especially used to sew tough fabrics such as leather,” she said.

Mrs César also learned how to make and assemble wooden frames for upholstered furniture like chairs and couches.
The Praslinois, who describes herself as being very inquisitive and always looking for new ways of doing things, said she also learned new techniques in making bedspreads and curtains.

Mrs César said one other thing she learned, and which surprised her, was the fact that used mattresses can be recycled.
“Here we often throw away old mattresses. But they can be recycled,” she said.

During her stay in Mauritius, Mrs César also met other Mauritian entrepreneurs and is now in the process of finding a proper workplace to bring in more equipment so she can start offering new services to her clients.

She aims to set up a stand at the Roche Caïman sports complex during the National Day celebrations to display some of her products.

Mrs César had words of thanks for the governments of Seychelles and Mauritius, Senpa chief executive Sylvianne Valmont, Mauritian instructor Baby Omar Diaparsing and other people who helped her.

An expert from Smeda was here recently to lead training for local artisans in basketry.

This exchange programme, which forms part of the collaboration between Senpa and Smeda, follows the 8th session of the Seychelles-Mauritius Commission on bilateral cooperation held in 2008.