MONTEGO BAY, St James — The possibilities appear endless For Kacion Collins and the more than 100 local creatives whose products are now available at Artisan District, a new store inside Sangster International Airport (SIA).

“I’m overjoyed! From the moment I stepped in I said to myself, ‘Girl, we are international now!’ “ Collins told the Jamaica Observer with a chuckle during last Saturday’s unveiling.

She is the owner of Absolutely Knot, a home décor business out of Kingston which includes craft items in its offerings. Collins said her pieces are already in a few stores but she anticipates that being on the shelves at SIA will provide exponentially more exposure for her brand.

“It is indeed a good feeling to have this space, not only me but other artistes can have this space to show the world their bit of Jamaica,” she said.

“This bridges the gap from local to international… [and] it opens up your things to more shoppers locally who may now want to visit the store,” Collins added.

Lindsay Templer, the brains behind Artisan District — which will only curate and sell items made in Jamaica — was quick to point out that it is “not a souvenir shop”.

Those words convey images of mass-marketed trinkets you can get anywhere in the world. Templer has always preferred a more personal touch. An avid traveller, she would often seek out local markets where she would buy handmade items.

“I find that those memories tend to stay with me longer than an attraction, sometimes, or visiting a place. Actually interacting with the people and the things they’ve made with their hands, that stays with me forever. I love to take those pieces home and showcase them to show the wonderful places I have been in my life,” she added.

That is how the idea for the Artisan District was born, three years ago when she launched her primary venture, Jamaica Aromatics.

“When I returned to Jamaica I realised that a concept like that was lacking in the airports so I made it my personal mission to open a store that featured 100 per cent local artistes from all across Jamaica,” Templer said.

Her goal is to showcase as many artisans as possible, and she is urging individuals with heaps of creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit to get in touch. Already on board, in addition to Collins, is Shemoy Spencer of Time and Season whose products include exquisitely made cutting boards.

“I can share the love and joy that we have put into these pieces with somebody else across the world,” she said of the opportunity to reach an international audience.

Sha-Jay Williams, who does mainly handmade jewellery for women, was happy her brand Yajahs was chosen to be included in the Artisan District.

“I am so excited! I’ve always wanted my items to be easily accessible to persons who are travelling — and this is perfect,” she told the Observer.

“This is literally in the airport, and it’s in a lovely set up store so it’s a great feeling,” she added.

For basket weaver Omar Daley of First Straw, an enterprise based in Westmoreland, this is a way to breathe life into a flagging business and craft.

“Over the years, basketry is a craft that has been looked down on. I am really happy that what I am doing is giving new life to it, and I hope that other persons can come on board and do something similar to what I am doing,” he said.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who was guest speaker at the opening, explained how the Artisan District fits in with his new focus for the sector.

“Tourism 3.0 will speak to resilience and sustainability but it will speak to one more important thing: Local first. This is the essence of what local first is all about. It means that when you come to Jamaica you must enjoy the supplies that are provided by Jamaicans,” he declared.

“We have to build capacity, and I’m happy to see what you’ve done here,” Bartlett added.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett (left) is shown a craft item by founder of the Artisan District, Lindsay Templer (second left), while mayor of Montego Bay, Richard Vernon (right) and his wife Stacy Silvera look on.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett interacts with Sha-Jay Williams whose jewellery caught his eye during last Saturday’s opening of the Artisan District inside Sangster International Airport.

Kacion Collins of Absolutely Knot shows off some of her pieces during last Saturday’s official opening at the Artisan District at Sangster International Airport.

Locally made items which will be sold at the Artisan Village at the Sangster International Airport.