Meet Bota Designs. A Trinidadian handmade jewelry brand that has evolved into a blend of science and art. The brand has explored many realms of jewelry design such as beading, wire bending/wrapping and crocheting but Tracy Thomas admits that her absolute specialty is alcohol ink/resin jewelry.

“With a degree in Chemistry and a Diploma in Graphic Design, I often wondered how I would marry the two fields and I finally did. The designs are created in my humble home studio where I lovingly work with my hands to produce alcohol ink resin jewelry. They are all hand painted, lightweight and intense in the fusion of the colours, patterns and shapes of island life. It’s art for your ears!” Tracy describes her aesthetic as being new to the island and the Caribbean, but it has received an extremely warm welcome. “My products can be found at the island’s popular markets, Junckollage Gypsy Caravan (Queen’s Park Oval), Closet Red (Mt. Lambert and C3 San Fernando), The Art Hub in the sister isle Tobago and most recently online.”

When it comes to the story behind the brand Tracy explains that “BOTA is actually an acronym for “birds of the air” which was inspired from the book of Matthew in the Bible. It is a reminder to me that if God can provide for simple creatures such as the birds then He will provide for me, His child who is far more precious to Him than the birds. Furthermore, the actual logo contains a Mot Mot which is endemic to Trinidad and Tobago, it was designed by my friend Stephen Bedase.”

For Tracy, Bota Designs is part time. “I actually do this part time and many have asked where I get the time to do it. I am actually by profession a Chemistry Teacher at Hillview College, a wife of a supportive husband and a mother to one vivacious daughter. Is it challenging because I usually do most of my designing when I come home from work. It is exhausting at times I do admit but seeing the finished product of my imagination and my hands is rewarding in itself, not to mention the reaction from people when they see the designs.”

Tracy says the need to survive and support her family is what really catalyzed the whole process for Bota Designs. “I had been in and out of designing jewelry for quite a number of years before but during the recession, the company my husband was employed with could no longer afford to pay him and so he resigned. There were many attempts to gain employment but it seemed all in vain so I turned to my other skills to bring income in for my family as we had recently purchased a home and we had a baby girl to take care of. Years later he is gainfully employed but my passion for design and experimenting with new mediums has only intensified.”

And the Bota Designs journey has had its milestones along the way. “In May, 2019, I was selected by Caribbean Development Bank alongside a couple of other local businesses for (CDB) Vybzing Youth Innovation Expo at the Hyatt Regency. I was also able to have my items featured and sold at an international market in July (2019) courtesy Ain Earle of The Fashion Arch TT. This was done in Washington DC at a market called the Coconut Market which targets Caribbean nationals. In August (2019) I had the extreme pleasure of being able to participate in Carifesta which was a huge success in terms of exposure of my brand and my products regionally. In 2020 I have been finally able to take the business online through the forums of Planting Seeds and Shop Caribe and I am so excited to show the rest of the region and the world what I can do.” The Bota Designs brand is certainly making waves.

As an entrepreneur, Tracy has learned many lessons along her journey. “One lesson that I have learnt is to listen to the feedback of my clients and background supporters. It has helped me to improve upon my design and my presentation.” As for those out there who may want to begin their journey as an entrepreneur, Tracy says, “It’s wonderful to have a dream but don’t let it stop there, do the necessary research, talk to other entrepreneurs for wise counsel and execute. If it remains as a dream, then no one gets to see what you can do or what you can offer. It is a risk, a leap of faith but at the end of the day it is certainly rewarding.”

Tracy sees Bota Designs as a brand that takes pride in creating all prints and patterns seen in the alcohol ink resin pieces by hand. While other competitors may use prints as a part of their designs, it was someone else’s idea or concept that they are using. BOTA DESIGNS’s handmade jewelry is amazingly lightweight and it all about the special materials used. “We care for your earlobes by making sure that they do not sag over a period of time.”

Contact information

Website: plantingseedscaribbean.com/store/store/bota-designs/and      shopcaribe.com/store/bota-designs

Facebook: www.facebook.com/trelle.t.21

Instagram: www.instagram.com/botadesigns/

Email: kikala21@gmail.com