BACKGROUND OF FOUNDER

Valarie Garber is the founder of Work of our Hands.
In December 2002, "I moved reluctantly to Windhoek, Namibia with my husband" says Valarie. "What is a sculptor and craft designer to do in Africa of all places?” Well, design crafts and sculpt of course! After a few months I got over grieving my losses, and began to look around. What I saw was a country of many cultures and races, a country of immense potential. But, also a country severely divided between the “have’s “and “have not’s.” Among the have not’s, there is extreme poverty, lack of education or work skills, and a sense of hopelessness.

I have always been VERY excited about learning any art or craft skill that is new to me. I have also always felt that perhaps I was just being unfocused. Why couldn't I just stick to one medium of artistic expression, like the successful artists I know and admire? A few special people in my life have always encouraged me to be true to me, but still, I felt a bit embarrassed at my attraction, to forever learning new skills and exploring new materials.

Suddenly, however, in Africa, a puzzle piece fell into place, Maybe, there is a reason for my eccentricity, and for all the seemingly unrelated skills I have acquired over my lifetime. I can teach all kinds of art and craft skills to unskilled Africans. I can give the gift of hope, the joy of creating, and hopefully, help to provide an income. WORK OF OUR HANDS is born.

VALARIE GARBER – BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
• Degree in Interior Design and operated her own design business for 12 years
• Sculptor since 1992, selling at Timothy’s Gallery in Winter Park, FL
• Published craft designer and teacher
• Member of Society of Craft Designers (USA) until moving to Africa
• Licensed a line of figurines to Russ Berrie inc. for the gift market in 1994
• State of Florida AIDS training certificate
• Assistant director, SNOW BABIES INC.
(a non profit ministry for emotional and spiritual healing 1992 thru December 2002
with 1,500 hours of group counseling experience)
• Mental health Counseling training 100 hours

VALARIE GARBER - ART/ CRAFT SKILLS
• Quilting
• Crochet
• Embroidery
• Fabric painting
• Resist dying
• Block printing
• Sewing
• Beading
• Papier-mâché
• Sculpture
• Mold making & casting
• Doll making and pattern design