Nature’s seeds turned into Adrian Gilkes’ treasure. Here he shows many of his original pieces made from a saga, river tamarind and African velvet seeds.
Most people would know him as the coconut vendor by the Independence Arch, but Adrian Gilkes has a unique skill of using the seeds of nature and other natural materials to make beautiful one-of-a-kind jewellery.
For the past forty-four years, Gilkes has been collecting natural materials such as bamboo, coconut, river tamarind, tamarind paradise, lucky, black pearl, African velvet, mimosa, woman tongue, oil palm, pride of Barbados seeds and hermit shells, using them all in his work. Gilkes explained that unlike other jewellery, his pieces are made of recyclable materials, and they can last three to five years.
The craftsman said that he has done extensive research on the various materials that he uses, looking at their toxicity levels, medicinal and nutritional benefits. He has even created a special tool called a roman’s spear, made of stainless steel wire, to create the perfect hole through the seeds, rather than use a conventional drill, which could damage or destroy the seed.
With his family originating from Mile and A Quarter, St. Peter, his mother, who had sixteen children, was also into making crafts. He said his mother moved the family to the City when he was young. From his own admission, no one taught him how to make jewellery, and it was his mother who gave him a challenge to make something she could sell, and he took her up on the offer.
At age 53, a widower and a father of three children, Gilkes said he is the only one in the family in the business of craft making. Throughout the years, he said a few people who wanted to learn his method of jewellery making approached him, but they often wanted to copy his style.
“Copying is ridiculous. It has been already be done and I want to create something new,” said Gilkes.
From the gullies to the beaches, Gilkes explained that he has travelled across the island to collect the different seeds, and many of his pieces are inspired by various elements in nature and biology. Every day, Gilkes brings his jewellery in his coconut vending cart for those to see. He admitted that the reviews are mixed, with some people calling it “weird” or “freaky”, while others show their appreciation. However, he said he does it because he likes to be creative and it keeps his mind preoccupied.
In addition to coconut vending and jewellery making, Gilkes also works with Macramé, where he creates portraits and organic soap made of charcoal and sulphur. He said from this year, he has hired a young lady to help with making the soap products. So, far the response has been encouraging, and he hopes to develop more in that area.