Stephanie Jackson blessed with gifted hands

For the past nine years, Stephanie Jackson has been sprucing up homes and business places in Jamaica with her eye-catching pottery.

Jackson, 45, makes items such as flower pots, banisters, vases and ornaments.

"My babyfather use to make pottery and I use to sit and watch him. It use to look hard, but it was something that I like, so I watch and learn. Now I can make all type of things," Jackson told THE STAR.

The August Town, St Andrew resident was among several outstanding small enterprisers who were recognised by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund, having made good use of grand funding under the Government of Jamaica's Integrated Community Development Project.

More than $70 million was given to 368 persons from the communities of Denham Town, August Town and Greenwich Town in Kingston and St Andrew; Treadlight in Clarendon; and Mount Salem, Anchovy, Salt Spring and Norwood in St James.

Jackson said she received her grant last year, which she used to purchase a variety of moulds for her pottery business.

"Mi nah guh lie, the grant whe me get give me a big lift, because I get to buy up a lot of materials for my business and let me thing be more established. Mi really want to thank them for what they invested in me, because is not often we see things like this happening," she said.

The thriving entrepreneur said that her business, which is registered as S&J Concrete Pottery Design, has helped her to realise many dreams. In fact, she does not see herself doing anything else.

"On holidays, like Christmas, I don't have hands to make and sell. ... In times like now, things are not going that fast, but it is steady. This is what I have used to take care of my family for nine years," Jackson said.

The clay boss quipped that pottery is not for women with "long nails", though she admits taking the occasional time off to get dolled up. However, the nail extensions do not stay on for long as Jackson is never far away from a mould, where she is making beautiful pieces with her gifted hands.