Candice is proud of herself

She is the owner of Candy’s Arty Craftz and has been seen at local markets in Alberton and surrounding areas.

Candice is also working full time and running her own business on the side.

“I enjoy what I do, and it brings in an extra income,” she said.

Finding herself

“My mom is the person who inspired me. She loved our home to always look gorgeous, always repainting and decorating our home through the years. She redid my room the one year when my gran took us on holiday when I was only eight years old and I literally cried with joy when I had seen it,” Candice explained.

Her mother died in 2019 and it has been a long road to finding herself again.

“About a year after she passed and with the struggles of finance I decided to do what made me and my mom happy, start crafting. It’s been about 10 months now and a huge success.”

Candice also said that crafting helps her to take her mind off the real world and reality.

“I remember I was chosen to display most of my artwork in school and, of course, when I had my very own home. I was then in my element to decorate everything I could get my hands on. I have always loved drawing and painting. I love to turn an old piece into a unique and stunning item.”

Her items

Candice loves to go to markets to display her items and she also stocks some of her items at The Ragdoll charity shop at the Lemon Tree.

“We need to give back in life, and this is my way. With my stock at The Ragdoll, a certain percentage goes to the charity organisation.”

According to her, her business is unique because most of the handcrafted items she tries do only one of a kind, which makes each piece unique.

“No item is the same size, shape or colour.

“I like to create beautiful items as it gives you a great feeling of what you are capable of how beautiful it turns out and how a customer is so impressed and loves what they are buying.”

The making of an item can vary between two to four hours per item.

She told the RECORD it all depends on what items she is making.

Background

Candice grew up in Alberton and has stayed in Alberton for most of her life until 2017 when she moved to Germiston.

She finished her primary school at Brackenhurst Primary School and went to Bracken High School until Grade 10.
“I then did homeschooling through Damelin,” she added.

She is happily married to Julian Wilder and they have two daughters, Chloe and Riley.

“I am a very blessed wife and mommy,” she said.

Before starting her own business, she was a floor manager at PNA.

When asked what her hobbies include, she said: “Everything crafting.”

Candice described herself as a quiet and shy person.

“I am a people pleaser. I always try and push myself to my limits. Very strong but soft-natured person.”
Some of her strengths are being hardworking, ambitious and friendly.