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Gill Quarcoopome

Gill Quarcoopome

Video

Gill Quarcoopome

Leather jewelry in West Africa

"Opportunities come up and sometimes we don't see them or don't want to take a risk but this is one way of moving forward – a leap in the dark."

"I have always loved making things – from paper, cloth, wood, metal or anything to make something useful out of a basic raw material - and leather is such a versatile material. I started with soft leather scraps to make small purses and belts with jigsaw-like patterns and went on to experiment with different leathers for sandals. I have large feet so even at age 16, I was trying to make my own footwear.

"When I was at University studying German and Politics, I was still making things to sell. I went to Greece after getting a rather disappointing degree and tried to learn shoe-making but ended up with an exciting holiday and a passion for leatherwork, rather than developing lot more skills. I learnt more back in England from an Irish friend and a short course in saddlery.

"In 1975 I was working for a government agency but still making items in leather and was asked to demonstrate leatherwork at a 10 day craft fair in the north of England, where I was living. After that fair I was offered the chance to teach evening classes and the chance to rent a small workshop. So I decided to give up the security of my job, took a leap and haven't looked back. Opportunities come up and sometimes we don't see them or don't want to take a risk but this is one way of moving forward – a leap in the dark.

"I exhibited at trade fairs and supplied boutiques. I also made items to customer specifications, from a telescope case, a motorcycle seat, or a medicine bag, to briefcases, bags, belts and sandals, from baby sizes to 48 men's using a range of 22 colors.

"In the same year I met my future husband whose father had been a shoemaker in Ghana – an unlikely coincidence. He was working on the oil rigs in the far north of Britain and so I had a lot of time to myself to concentrate on getting a small business organized.

"In 1989, we decided to try working in Ghana, his home, taking with us an 11 month old baby girl, most of my machines, and very little money. I had taken a course teaching English as a foreign language, so when we arrived I was lucky to find a job at the Ghana International School, all the while continuing to make leather bags, belts and sandals for sale to busy teachers.

"He had a job in construction. My son was born in 1991 but I continued teaching until I left GIS in 1997. I still teach English privately and proofread manuscripts but the leatherwork is constantly there, playing a bigger or smaller part of my life.

"Kofi Ansah, a fashion designer, encouraged me to decorate some belts for him with Ghanaian glass beads and brass figures. This inspired a style that has developed in many directions since his exhibition at the British Council in the early 1990s. I now use old trade beads, new recycled glass and plastic beads, bone beads and as well as brass beads, discs and animal buckles together with different textured and colored leathers.

"Since 1999, I have been producing mainly for the local market but I am always happy to export. I haven't expanded my venture beyond three employees but am satisfied with this size. Having to deal with so many parts of a business can be very demanding, and after so many years producing, I still haven't found the right partner to work with.

"When my husband died in 2007, a lot of people asked if I would go back to the UK, but now I am so Ghana based that the UK would be a cold, foreign land to live in. Although I visit family and friends as often as possible, I prefer the sun and warmth of Ghana, where there is freedom to create and experiment, especially with the vibrant colors and textures of cloth and beads that surround us. There is not a lot of free time, but I have the opportunity to swim whenever I can, enjoy the company of good friends, listen to jazz old and new, and explore creativity in whatever form."

Quarcoopome signs her design with the Aya or fern Adinkra symbol, meaning perseverance and endurance.

Cause Badges

Caring for Children

Empowering Women

57 items by Gill Quarcoopome

Get it before Mother's Day

Natural Fusion in Black, Men's Horn and Leather Wristband Bracelet from Ghana

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$44.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Enduring Strength in Brown, Men's Brown Leather Wristband Bracelet from Ghana

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$34.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Simple Twist in Brown, Handmade Men's Leather Bracelet with Braided Accent

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$34.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Golden Alchemy I, African Handcrafted Men's Leather and Cotton Bracelet

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$39.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Simple Twist in Tan, Tan Colored Leather Wristband Bracelet for Men

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$39.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Run Along in Red and Brown, Artisan Crafted Men's Red Leather Bracelet from Ghana

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$29.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Bound Strength in Black, Men's Horn and Black Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$44.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Twist and Shout in Black, Men's Black Leather Wristband Bracelet with Braided Accent

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$44.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Breaking Ground in Brown, Unique Men's Bracelet in Brown Leather from Africa

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$49.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Hidden Treasure in Tan, Bull Horn and Brown Leather Bracelet for Men from Africa

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$44.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Twist and Shout in Tan, Artisan Crafted Tan Leather and Brass Bracelet for Men

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$44.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Stand Out, Handmade Men's Horn and Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$37.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Hidden Treasure in Red, Handmade Men's Bracelet of Red Leather and Bull Horn

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$44.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Bound, Men's Horn and Leather Wristband Bracelet from Ghana

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$44.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Enduring Strength in Black, Men's Black Leather Wristband Bracelet from Ghana

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$34.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Cinnamon Adinkra Celebration, Men's leather wristband bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$44.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Bound Strength in Brown, Men's Brown Leather Wristband Bracelet from Ghana

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$44.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Stand Together in Brown, Men's Unique Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$34.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Perseverance in Brown, Artisan Crafted African Brown Leather Bracelet for Men

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$29.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Stand Alone in Black, Men's Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$29.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Perseverance in Black, Black Leather and Brass Men's Bracelet from Ghana

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$29.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Run Along in Brown, Men's Casual Brown Leather Bracelet with Brass Accents

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$29.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Enduring Strength, Men's Brown and Black Leather Wristband Bracelet from Ghana

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$34.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Enduring Strength in Tan, Men's Brown Leather Wristband Bracelet from Ghana

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$34.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Simple Twist in Black, Men's Black Leather Bracelet with Braided Cord Accent

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$39.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Twist and Shout in Red, Handmade Leather Bracelet for Men in Red and Brown

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$44.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Run Along in Black and Tan, Black and Tan Handcrafted Leather Bracelet for Men

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$29.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Hidden Treasure in Black, African Style Men's Bracelet in Black Leather and Bull Horn

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$44.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Natural Fusion in Brown, Horn and Dark Brown Leather Wristband Bracelet from Ghana

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$44.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Traditional Fusion, Batik Bone and Leather Wristband Bracelet from Ghana

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$37.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Stand Alone in Brown, Men's Handcrafted Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$29.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Eco Swirl in Yellow, Yellow Recycled Glass and Leather Pendant Bracelet

Size: 7.75" L x 0.6" W

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$29.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Stand Together in Black, Men's Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$29.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Simple Twist in Red, African Red and Brown Braided Wristband Bracelet for Men

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$39.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Stand Alone in Tan, Men's Hand Crafted Leather Wristband Bracelet from Africa

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$34.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Eco Swirl in Green, Black Recycled Glass and Leather Pendant Bracelet

Size: 7.75" L x 0.6" W

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$29.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Fusion in Tan, Handcrafted Men's Horn and Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.75"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$39.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Run Along in Black, African Artisan Crafted Black Leather Bracelet for Men

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$29.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Twist and Shout in Brown, Artisan Crafted Men's Brown Leather and Brass Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$44.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Hide and Seek in Black, Men's Unique Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$39.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Double or Quits, Men's Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$34.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Double Up in Black, Men's Leather and Bamboo Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$34.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Hide and Seek in Tan, Men's leather wristband bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$39.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Cut Away in Brown, Men's Handmade Leather and Horn Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$44.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Brown Standout, Men's Modern Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$29.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Hide and Seek in Brown, Men's Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$39.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Cinnamon Beaded Feast, Recycled Beads and Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 7.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$34.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Cut and Run, Men's African Leather and Bone Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$39.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Cut Away in Black, Men's Horn and Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$44.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Black Standout, Men's African Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$29.99
Coming back
Tan Indulgence, Brown Leather Tablet Case

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$174.99
Coming back
Never Without Black, Leather shoulder bag

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$109.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Double Up, Men's Handcrafted Leather and Bamboo Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$34.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Red Standout, Men's Unique Modern Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$34.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Stand Together in Tan, Men's African Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$29.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Stand Together in Black, Men's Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 8.5"

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

~~$29.99~~ $20.99
Coming back
Never Without Brown, Unique Leather Shoulder Bag from Africa

Gill Quarcoopome

(34)

$117.99

Customer Reviews

Purchased this? Leave your review.

Artist rating

Total reviews

34

LORETTA

Verified Reviewer

11/03/2020

"Very well-received gift!"

This men s bracelet was very well crafted and presented as well thought out gift worth more than it s cost.

Purchased Item:

Stand Alone in Tan, Men's Hand Crafted Leather Wristband Bracelet from Africa

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BEVERLY

Verified Reviewer

11/03/2019

"Very Pleased!"

I am so glad to have purchased this item. The leather looks beautiful and it is very well made. This will make a wonder and sentimental gift for the man that has everything! I bought the black for him and I may buy another one in a different color for myself.

Purchased Item:

Bound Strength in Black, Men's Horn and Black Leather Wristband Bracelet

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Rhonda

Verified Reviewer

10/20/2019

"my hubby loves it!"

My husband loves this and wears it all the time.

Best Uses

he wears it because it looks good with everything

Purchased Item:

Stand Alone in Tan, Men's Hand Crafted Leather Wristband Bracelet from Africa

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Gift Occasion:

This was a gift for: Husband
Occasion: anniversary

Susan

Verified Reviewer

05/12/2019

"Leather Bracelets"

I ordered 4 different leather bracelets for my birthday give away. Im so impressed with them. I placed the order on 4/28 and received them 5/10. Pretty impressive coming from Africa. Each in a colorful little pouch and wrapped with nice paper and tied with a bow. WOW! They are beautifully made and Im delighted. I highly recommend them.

Tags By Susan

Best Uses

young men like bracelets

Purchased Item:

Simple Twist in Brown, Handmade Men's Leather Bracelet with Braided Accent

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Gift Occasion:

This was a gift for: Grandson
Occasion: birthday

James

Verified Reviewer

04/01/2019

"BRACELET OF WISDOM"

RICHLY ENGRAVED IN TRUTH & WISDOM

Best Uses

CASUALLY ELEGANT

Purchased Item:

Mahogany Adinkra Celebration, Men's Artisan Crafted Leather Wristband Bracelet

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James

Verified Reviewer

03/15/2019

"EYE CATCHER"

VERY COMPACTLY DESIGNED! WITH A HINT OF MYSTIQUE, MAKES FOR GOOD COVERSATION AND MASCULINE FLAIR!

Tags By James

Best Uses

GREAT FOR DRESS AND CASUAL WEAR , DEPENDING ON THE REST OF YOUR ATTIRE

Purchased Item:

Black Standout, Men's African Leather Wristband Bracelet

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