Saba lace

The handicraft is still practiced and is a feature of tourism for the island, having been the focus of two books on the subject, as well as a winner of the Prince Bernhard Caribbean Culture Prize.

With few educational opportunities available for women in the 19th century on Saba,[1] Mary Gertrude (née Hassell) Johnson was sent to study at a Venezuelan Catholic convent and learned the intricate craft.

Without initial client lists, the women created their own, by writing letters to American companies each time merchandise from the United States was received on the island.

He recognized that for the women of the island, Saba lace was a large part of their cultural heritage and spoke to their ethic for hard work and passing on tradition.

Urged by local women to document the craft, he gathered samples of the lace, making copies of the work on a photocopy machine made available by the tourism department.