Palm weaver keeps his art alive
"For almost 20 years I have sold the flower for R20." - Marius Heywood
MARIUS Heywood gives a new meaning to the phrase ‘turning over a new leaf’, as he transforms bush palm leaves into beautiful flowers that make stunning decor displays.
Years ago the palm branch was a symbol of triumph and victory in pre-Christian times, with the Romans rewarding champions of the games and celebrated military successes with palm branches, but today the plants have become a popular interior decor trend for those who want foliage without the fuss.
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“Bush palms are normally very hard to maintain which is why a lot of people don’t like them. They have very strong leaves which is why I prefer weaving them into these flowers. Myself and a friend started making and selling them almost 20 years ago and are self taught. He operates in Margate. I left weaving for a while when I worked for a furniture shop as a driver,” he said. Marius’s nimble fingers take about 45 minutes or less to turns a palm leaf into a thing of designer beauty. “When the leaf dries, you can apply polish to the flower, they are less maintenance and will most definitely make your home beautiful,” says Heywood who runs his operation on the beachfront promenade.
“For almost 20 years, I have sold the flowers for R20 and never increased the price. Even though people admire the work, I have found it difficult to sell the flowers recently, maybe its because of the economy. It was easy to sell back then,” he says.
Today, the palm, especially the coconut palm, remains a symbol of the tropical island paradise. Palms appear on the flags and seals of several places where they are native, including those of Haiti, Guam, Saudi Arabia, Florida, and South Carolina. Folding palms is a popular Palm Sunday tradition in cultures around the world. While the leaves are most commonly folded or weaved together to make a crucifix, many have let their creativity inspire them to make all sorts of complex designs.
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