Miss Carolyn possesses the best of both worlds: the natural fiber weaving heritage of her Providencia-born paternal grandmother and the needlework and embroidery legacy of her Santander-born maternal grandmother. Both grandmothers, Miss Bela and Miss Zoraida, provided her with cherished childhood memories and a destined path. Looking back, it’s evident that handiwork has always been her forte. Her memories are filled with the presence of her mother, Socorro Rueda, who constantly nurtured her curiosity and urged her to refine her techniques—much like her own mother did in her time. In fact, her mother continues to stand by her side. For over a decade, they have shared a workshop on San Andrés Island, dedicated to their artisanal crafts. However, before returning to the island, this family traversed various paths.

Carolyn was born in Sogamoso and often jests that she’s practically a daughter of the steel-producing enterprise Acerías Paz del Río. Her father, Eduardo Jay, an islander by birth and the son of Miss Bela and Mister Gimston Jay Robinson, went to study in Bucaramanga, following the footsteps of his ten siblings due to limited educational opportunities on the island. During that period, it was common for islanders to seek opportunities in Santander. There, he became an Electromechanical Technician and crossed paths with Socorro, falling deeply in love. Amidst their journeys due to his work, they established their family in various locations, including Bucaramanga, Sogamoso, and Barrancabermeja.

Returning to the island rekindled Carolyn’s connection to weaving practices. She became acquainted with pácta, a palm native to Providencia that faces extinction, distinguished from traditional palms due to its lack of coconuts and flatter leaves. She fondly recalls observing her grandmother Bela weave and accompanying her to artisanal workshops where she initially learned the art of crafting baskets and brooms. Simultaneously, she benefited from her grandmother Zoraida and her mother Socorro, who imparted lessons on sewing, crochet, embroidery, and two-needle knitting. Her upbringing enriched her hands with the wisdom of her elders. However, her path diverged once more. When the time came for her studies, she fell short by one point of the required score for Industrial Engineering and opted for Systems Engineering in Medellín. Similar to her father being offered a position on the island, she eventually landed a job at Coralina, an enterprise focused on environmental conservation based in San Andrés. This reconnected her with artisanal crafts and familiar fibers renowned for their exuberance and natural qualities.

From that point forward, everything progressed rapidly as she and her mother delved into courses on Wilpine, coconut, and plantain fibers, which they never ceased attending. Socorro found her affinity with Wilpine, while Carolyn favored the other fibers. They transitioned from creating baskets, accessories, and jewelry to participating in a fashion project that broaden their horizons. Moreover, they seized an opportunity to craft items from an invasive species endangering the island’s coral reefs—they began making necklaces using lionfish fins. Presently, they are recognized for their work combining weaving crafts with distinctive local pendants. With their inquisitive spirit, it’s certain they will continue to explore both land and sea, igniting their creativity.