Nominated as one of the ten finalists in the inaugural UNCTAD/EMPRETEC International Women in Business Award 2008, Irene
Bacchus-Holder began her business by doing pyrography on functional items such as jewelry boxes and kitchen wares. Her first
efforts, given as gifts to personal friends and family, were well received and this encouraged her to start marketing her
designs.
After registering her business, Irene contracted two very enthusiastic, young graduates of the Linden Technical Institute
to take care of the routine work under her close supervision. She personally designs and finishes each item. Having received
very positive responses to her product line at international trade shows in Barbados, North America, England, France, Mauritius,
Venezuela and a number of Caribbean countries, including Cuba and Curacao, Irene decided to target the export market.
In addition to using the plain woods to do pyrography, Irene also utilizes Guyana's beautiful wood species to create
the decorative and functional items displayed here. Items may be crafted to suit your special needs. Submit your concept and
Irene will discuss a practical design for a product to meet your specifications and budget.
Guyana has some of the most beautiful wood species in the world and logging companies are using just a few for commercial
purposes (about 70 of over 1000 species). In their quest to harvest those few species, a lot of wastage occurs. Since the
species do not grow in stands, paths have to be cleared to individual trees and species which are not needed are felled and
left to rot.
Irene decided to utilize discarded species and arranged with loggers to supply her with beautiful species such as Dukaliballi,
Snakewood, Itikiboraballi and Marblewood, to name a few. The natural flaws in the wood are repaired and highlighted in the
product to show the naturalness of wood. This also adds a unique quality to the item.
Amazon Authentics products are made of very beautiful, rare (not endangered) species, harvested when they are discarded
by commercial loggers. Due to this, items shown in the catalogue may be made in other species of wood when the wood shown
is not available.
The shavings from production are used in gardens as ground cover to keep the soil moist. Linden, home town of Amazon
Authentics, is located in the hilly sand and clay belt of Guyana and the white sand found here drains easily, causing plants
to dry out readily in the tropical sun.
