Kerry-Ann Hepburn, Contributor

Noella Costabeli

Are you an avid visitor to local craft shops? If so, are you tired of the same old selections?

The husband-and-wife team of Mauricio and Noella Costabeli, who operate the St. Andrew-based Bellina Collection, attempt to offer something different.

Both 48, they established the company in 1994. Their line includes hand-crafted trays, placemats, coasters, trinket boxes, photo frames and decorative plates.

Mrs. Costabeli is the artist behind the collection of home accessories while Italy-born Mauricio takes care of the business side.

This year is a big one for the Caribbean with the World Cup of Cricket coming to the region. It could very well be a breakthrough for the Bellina Collection, with the help of the Jamaica Business Development Centre (JBDC).

The JBDC is licensed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to use the World Cup Cricket logos. The Bellina Collection along with other small companies, will bear the event's images and can be purchased as memorabilia.

Mr. Costabeli told The Gleaner the World Cup can only benefit Bellina Collection.

"The JBDC are planning to export our products under an umbrella organisation, (so) instead of doing it ourselves, that will facilitate our development," he said.

Currently, the Bellina Collection can be found mainly at the Craft Cottage in Kingston and the Ritz Carlton in Montego Bay, as well as souvenir shops in the airports. The Costabelis' products have also being displayed at the Barbados Trade Fair.

Mrs. Costabeli was working as a sales representative with a computer company in New York City when she met her husband, who originally hails from the wine-producing town of Tuscany. She began painting 12 years ago when she gave birth to her daughter.

She said she started selling at craft fairs when she noticed people liked her products.

Noella Costabeli is passionate about art.

"I would love to see a lot more effort being put in; I think there are so many marvellous things that we [artists] can do here, but we need a lot of help," she said. "We have so much creativity and we get stagnant when certain aspects are not paid attention to."

The couple, who have been married for 18 years, have one child. They hope that their collection takes off with the World Cup which starts next month, and plan to expand their business into home accessories.

"The home department is unlimited!" Mrs. Costabeli quipped.

Some products from the Bellina Collection. - photos by Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer