We recently connected with Oris Shaw and have shared our conversation below.

Oris, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

This name was commonly used in my family. It was used to remind me that I had responsibilities even as a child. I was used to letting me know that even though I was surrounded by others I had my own space and things, special things too. I didn’t expect that this name would have been the name I chose or it chose me but it befitting when you think about it. So the name of my company is Kuchuments. Yes, you got that right. So the story behind Kuchuments is that I remember as a little girl, my brother and I would usually go to the countryside to visit my grandmother on my mom’s side. This is where all the cousins would be for the summer. It was just the place to be for any major holiday. Without any delay, I just wanted to see my cousins and we would have no care in the world, but of course, my grandmother was not having order at the same time. She would say ” unnu little town pickney come pick up unnu kuchuments before I throw them out”, basically saying that we need to put our things away before she throws them out.

Of course, we weren’t having that at all. You see our Kuchuments at that time were our special treasures, whether it be books our toys that we made from scratch to kill time or just to enjoy. So today Kuchuments offer special treasures that are unique to you. We specialize in Handmade Jewelry: Earrings, Bracelets and we also do soft furnishings along with unique Batik Materials.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name Is Oris Shaw, creative arts has always been apart of my life. Studied Dance Education and Music at the Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts. I have taught and choreographed dance for almost 20 years. When I started Edna Manley my family didn’t have much and I also did not want to be of any burden and that was when I started making things for myself. I never took it serious then because all I was doing was making things I would like and know would make me feel comfortable and that continued as I got older. I remembered when I wasn’t able to find an outfit in store to fit what I did was just bought the material and had my mom guiding me and I made an outfit that made me feel like a Kween.

That is what I do with Kuchuments, the items I made are unique to you. I don’t make more that 5 -10 of the same items and even then there is something that is different in all of them. When you are working with Brass & Copper metal nothing ever comes out the same. When you are doing Batik nothing ever comes out the same and so it makes ever item a special treasure for my clients. Kuchuments Handmade Statement, that is what we provide.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source for new clients for me has always been word of mouth. My Day 1 clients have always been my big supporters. When your work speaks for you and you have clients that see the quality and worth they always cheer for me. Word of mouth has always been the way I get and retain clients. Yes, I am on social media but I don’t feel I reach the persons Kuchuments intends on reaching. I still try being active on social media, try being the operative word here but I have never really connected much there the way I connect with persons that contacted me by word of mouth.

Another way I have sourced new clients is through selecting specific Pop-Up Shops, This I am very intentional about because I really do believe in letting my work speak for me so I don’t always let people know who I am but more what Kuchuments is so I can get a kinda more honest opinion of what they think.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What has helped is the quality of products I provide and also being honest about the process and expectations. I never want a client going away with a product that made them second guess the choice they made nor am I convincing you just so I can make a sale. I find that just having a conversation about whether I get it sold made an impact. Of course, I want it to be sold but I also want to you be sure that you found your right treasure. Just like I felt almost lost when my grandma threatened to throw out my treasure. That is what Kuchuments is all about. Maybe too sentimental though for business, but that is what it is for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kuchumentsonline.company.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kuchumentsonline
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kuchuments/