Jewelry Making Supplies are our business at Nina Designs but our mission includes supporting artisans in our own community as well as abroad. In 2010 we established a microloan fund to assist women artists in developing countries. Through NOVICA, we have lent to women in four countries, including Ernestina Oppong Asante who creates traditional drums in Ghana. She plans to use her loan to purchase raw materials, a drill machine, jigsaw and sand paper machine.
“I was born in the Eastern region of Ghana on July 23, 1968, and had my early education there. I trained in dressmaking but on completion of the course, I realized that the trade would not do well in my town. I therefore decided to learn a popular trade like carving. I trained under one Kwame Duah and within three years I had perfected the skill and was developing woodcarvings on my own. Since 1995, I have been operating a workshop of my own with four people working under me. Fortunately, my husband David Assante also trained as a carver and so we combine our skills to design and carve the drums with perfection.”
“I love making drums. I believe that there are very bright business prospects for the African traditional drum. Though carving has long been regarded as the preserve of men, I am glad that I have been able not only to infiltrate but to also make an impact on the trade. For the years that I have been in this business, I have never had any regrets whatsoever. It is my fervent hope to carve more interesting drums for you to enjoy.”
