Artisan's Directory
Florence McGrath
Florence Walters McGrath, a descendant of the first settlers of the Cayman Islands, creates inspired, handcrafted treasures from her studio in South Sound in a nod to the days gone by. Using carefully selected freshwater pearls, natural gemstones, electroplated lava stones and millefiori glass beads, each unique Maiden Cayman piece serves as a modern reimagining of the lessons bestowed by Caymanian craftswomen. Maiden Cayman pays tribute to the great women of our beautiful Islands, whose skills and crafts remain as vibrant as ever. As the Islands’ famous seafaring history carried men overseas, the women left behind captained the home and land, crafting traditional woven thatch-products for everyday practical use. This artistry has been passed down through generations and evolved into a deep-rooted appreciation for and exploration of the art of crafting.
Q & A
Where are you from?
My family are from the Cayman Islands 200 years back, but I have also lived in the US and England.
When did you start creating your products and what are your preferred materials?
I really started more than ten years ago but got serious about marketing my designs about a year ago. I particularly love working with natural pearls, Lapis and peridot natural gemstones, millefiori and lampworked glass beads.
What inspires you to create your products?
Whenever I travel, I always browse in museums and shops for ideas. I walk around the streets and see what people are wearing. When I get new raw material, I get really excited - for example I had some gorgeous large pearl shell beads I have crafted into stunning pendants.
What do you think are the most important and unique characteristics of the products you create?
I implement my own ideas as much as possible, although inspiration from other people's designs cannot be discounted, and just adds to the mix. For example, I might use certain beads in one way, whilst another artist might use the same beads, but in a different way to me. It is all good.
What do you expect for your creative future?
I am enjoying creating new designs all the time, and I hope to continue to get the word out there about my products. The jewellery design process is like mental therapy for me and I enjoy getting into my "Happy Place".
