Tuesday, August 18, 2009

WOOL WOOD AND BEADS

With films such as "Saving Sarah", "Player no 10" and "Broken Edge" under her belt, Cameroonian Syl Anim is a budding Nollywood actress based in Nigeria currently featuring in TV series such as "The Maze" and "Mum and I".

Not content with acting only, this entrepreneur in the making has also flexed her creative muscles at jewellery designing and clothes making creating a niche for herself by the materials she has chosen to use in her products.

Here below is an interview she gave DC. Happy Reading y'all!

DC: Who is Syl Anim, describe her in 4 adjectives.
SA: Ok, erm [she laughs], I am fun loving, focused, easy going and hard working.

DC: How did you get into jewellery design?
SA: Erm, I started with crotchet clothes then later on I realised that I could make jewellery with wool and that's how i started. I taught myself and perfected it.

DC: So you didn't do any jewellery design course?
SA: No, not at all, even the crochet, no one taught me.

DC: So do you only use wool in your designs?
SA: No, I use wool, I use wood, I use beads, all sorts. My signature is with the wool.

DC: Where and how do you source out your materials?
SA: I get the wool from abroad and some from Nigeria. The ones I cannot get in Nigeria I get abroad. But I get wood and beads in Nigeria. It depends on the colour and the texture.

DC: What else do you do apart from designing?
SA: I also make clothes and bags, I am currently working on my African collection using Ankara fabric. I am also an actress in Nollywood films and I did some acting in Cameroon.

DC: So what types of tv stuff did you do in Cameroon.
SA: I did TV series, soaps and films in Cameroon. I actually started with stage acting.

DC: How encouraging have your parents been in your career choices?
SA: At the beginning they were not in support especially as I had to leave for Nigeria. Later on once my movies came out, they loved it and started encouraging me.

DC: What is your academic background?
SA: I did theatre art at school.

DC How does it feel to be a Cameroonian living in Nigeria?
SA: Erm at the beginning it was a bit difficult. It took me time to get used to the food and to immense myself in their culture but now I feel like a Nigerian. Apart from the traffic and Nepa seizing lights, everything else is ok!
DC: Are they welcoming to foreigners?
SA: They were welcoming but you know everywhere is different.
DC: Where are your jewellery designs available?
SA: Erm, right now they are with me in Nigeria and some are with my mum in Cameroon. Some are on facebook too and I am currently working on a website which will be live soon.

DC: How can one buy them?
SA: You can contact me and buy from me and if you are international, you can buy and I will post via courriers.

DC: What are your passions?
SA: I love what I do and acting.

DC: And your inspiration?
SA: God, because I believe I was born with this talent. Other designers have inspired me such as Deola Sagoe, Jewel by Lisa, Tiffany Amber, Ere Hart, Modella, Frank Oshodi etc etc Nigeria as a whole has inspired because they are very fashionable and this place has really opened and improved my creativity.





DC: What is the secret to success in your opinion?
SA: You have to be passionate, have believe and be focused to work towards it. Patience also comes into it as success does not come like that.

DC: What do you think needs to be done in Cameroon to stop the drainage of talents?
SA: Create an awareness of talents, we need to have a market for these talents. The economy in Cameroon is a major drawback and this needs to be sorted to permit people to be able to spend as they like.

DC: What is the best thing about coming from Cameroon in your opinion?
SA: Erm, the fact that we are peaceful and easy going.

DC: Africa is, complete in 4 words.
SA: [She laughs]...Africa is peaceful, hopeful, my motherland and my creativity.

Syl Anim's items are all handmade. To place your order please email Syl at sylanimbaby@yahoo.com
Get ordering!
Thanks for checking the blog again. Watch out for our 1 year anniversary special in the coming days.
*************************************************
DC: Dulce Camer
SA: Syl Anim
*************************************************
Stay sweet
Dulce
xxx

47 comments:

Anonymous said...

fab fab fab! to think i knew this girl as a kid. she's an amazing talent. world, watch out!

Anonymous said...

hey Syl, this is Frankincense.I'm watching so don't think i'm not seeing your handwork.Beautiful master pieces.

Anonymous said...

Am speechless.Will email you soon.Keep up!!!!
Ijeoma.

Anonymous said...

I knew you would go places.Cameroonians are so proud of you.Let me have your digits,need to order some stuff.

Anonymous said...

Wow!..Did you make all of these? great work!

Anonymous said...

Girl, you are truly blessed.the sky is your limit
Emeka

Anonymous said...

Sexy,classy and UNIQUE!!!this is what i call talent.

Anonymous said...

Our Cameroonian star.Girl, you are multi-talented.thumps up!!!

Anonymous said...

Do you have a website...How do we place orders?

Anonymous said...

i thought you were Nigerian.keep up!

Anonymous said...

i want that multicoloured gown.How much is it?

Anonymous said...

i have a show coming up.Will like you to showcase your designs.

Anonymous said...

Very unique.this is wool remix.lol!

Anonymous said...

she is my friend.congrats girl!
Amaka

Anonymous said...

i love you,plse baby let me have your no.

Anonymous said...

You've got talents girl use it well.
Mimi

Anonymous said...

Cameroonian topest designer!this is raw talent,didnt know one cld use wool to produce all these beautiful pieces

Anonymous said...

I watched you on Ben tv London doing your thing, didnt know you had gone this far.More grease to your elbows.

Anonymous said...

fabuloussss!

Anonymous said...

Do you model as well? u pretty.
Jude

Anonymous said...

Syl you are something else.God blessed you for real.I am in Ghana, do you have a website?

Anonymous said...

Who born you sef? Please i want to marry you.damnn! you are hot.

Anonymous said...

lovely necklaces.i want the green one, will email you.

Anonymous said...

Syl, i dnt like you cos u neva like chatting with me.Wetin i do you?
Moses

Anonymous said...

Handmade for real?Are you kidding me?I will buzz u soon.

Anonymous said...

Have you thought of going international.Your work is unique and i bet you it will sell big time abroad.

Anonymous said...

This is very original and absolutely fab.I need like 5 necklaces,let me mail you now.

Anonymous said...

where all those crappy designers them dey?You've calved a niche for yourself.keep up!!!!!!
Noella.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful,intelligent and talented!!

Anonymous said...

Syl, your designs are gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

so proud of you girl.

Anonymous said...

lovely designs.Well done

Anonymous said...

Very creative.Do you train people cos am interested in learning.

Anonymous said...

lovely!Still waiting for my dress.Linda

Anonymous said...

do you have a website?nice outfits

Anonymous said...

I am in Kenya,lets do business together.Check your box by tomorro

Anonymous said...

Are you Nigerian or Cameroonian?nice work.?Will get some from my wife.

Anonymous said...

Unique collection!u always make us proud.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous!!

Anonymous said...

Nice outfit!

Syl Anim said...

OMG...am so touched and even more encouraged to do beta.Thks for all the sweet words, i really appreciate.Email me on sylanimbaby@yahoo.com or send me an inbox on facebook for ur orders.Ple guys always check this blog out cos Cynthia is doing a great job.luv you all.

Anonymous said...

I watched you on ''Cyberia'' some days back, you did well.Lovely collection.Will get in touch with you.

Anonymous said...

Lovely outfits!You are gifted indeed.
Aeline

Anonymous said...

Vraiment chic!

Anonymous said...

I know you from the movies, didnt know you were a designer as well.Wonderful collection.I love the rasta dress.

Anonymous said...

Hey Sylvie, C'est moi Amour. U are very gifted and talented. Keep sharing your God given gifts with the world.I stay Amazed.Fabulous mami

Anonymous said...

You are the reason i watch 'Mum and I'.Great skills you got.