Caribbean News
JAMAICA: Melissa Preddie Turns Plastic Bottles Into Gold
#Kingston, February 28, 2019 – Jamaica – It is said that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. This is true for entrepreneur Melissa Preddie, who has created a successful jewellery business by recycling plastic bottles.
It was in 2012, after finding herself unemployed, that she thought of utilising the empty containers, which she had saved over time, to create items that persons would love and, hopefully, purchase.
“I got the idea to do some research and see what I could come up with. I started out making hair accessories, and then the demand for jewellery started, so I diverted to jewellery and now I am also doing art pieces,” Miss Preddie tells JIS News. Out of ingenuity and creativity, her business, Aviola Accessories, was born.
Through the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Miss Preddie received a $60,000 grant, which she used to purchase materials, tools and equipment to start the jewellery line, and assistance to speed up production.
“I later became an affiliate with the Social Development Commission (SDC), and they helped with marketing and promotion. Whenever they would have outings in the Mandeville community where I am from, they would call me and I would go and set up (displays), so that persons could see what innovative ideas can come from just about anything,” Miss Preddie tells JIS News.
Through the SDC’s Local Economic Development Support Programme (LEDSP), she also benefited from a $50,000 grant and was able to grow her business even more. She moved Aviola Accessories from Manchester to St. Andrew to better serve the growing customer base in the Corporate Area.
SDC Local Economic Development Coordinator for the parishes of Manchester and St. Elizabeth, Damian Lowe, says Aviola Accessories was among enterprises that received business development coaching. He says that the small business stood out because “here is a young person taking up the mantle of not only looking about a business but caring for the environment”.
“Therefore, we wanted to be a part of this journey, through our Local Economic Development Support Programme,” he tells JIS News.
Aviola Accessories is now an LEDSP ambassador, and Miss Preddie will be sharing her story and experience in a more organsied and meaningful way to other aspiring business owners or persons, who are just starting a business.
“We are going to create a platform for a bigger buzz around Aviola Accessories, so that a greater audience can be reached, but also so that she can give back,” Mr. Lowe says.
Miss Preddie says being an LEDSP ambassador “is a wonderful feeling. I was ecstatic when I was told. It is a feeling of accomplishment at the same time, because when I started Aviola I didn’t foresee any of this happening, so to be chosen is really humbling”.
Aviola Accessories’ intricate jewellery, including earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings, which can be customised, and art pieces, can be viewed on the business’ Facebook and Instagram pages under the same name.
Over the years, the company’s clientele has grown from women, who love jewellery and art, to now include men and anyone interested in environmentally friendly items.
“I use the plastic bottles to make faux stones for the jewelry,” Ms. Preddie explains to JIS News.
She notes that “four years ago it was a challenge to convert buyers and sell the idea to them to buy sustainable and recyclable as opposed to buying precious stones. Fast forward to now, persons are now gravitating towards eco-friendly products. They are going green and it’s not just a thing, it’s a lifestyle. That is what my brand now promotes through its core values of lifestyle, environment and empowerment”.
Aviola Accessories also has corporate customers, including the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (JMEA) for which it created a line of penholders utilsing plastic bottles and wood, and Couples Resorts, for which the business will be manufacturing eco-friendly jewellery in 2019.
With no formal training in jewellery-making, Miss Preddie attributes her creativity to her late parents and grandmother. It was after her father’s passing that she learned of his own creative skills in upcycling glass bottles to create lanterns. She pays homage to them through her brand, Aviola, which is an amalgam of all their names.
These lightweight Yolandé earrings are a popular item among Aviola Accessories customers.
As Miss Preddie looks to expand her business, she is hoping to carve out a niche in the corporate gifts and home décor markets. She also wants Aviola Accessories to be seen as an environmental advocate.
“We want to move to the point where we are partnering with local, like-minded organisations such as the Jamaica Environment Trust to push the awareness of recycling to another level. We see ourselves as advocates for recycling, not just locally but overseas. We want to make people aware that even though there are other options, sustainability is the way to go because we have to preserve our environment in order for us to enjoy our planet earth that we love so much,” she tells JIS News.
By Charnele Henry
Release: JIS
Photo Caption: Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director of Aviola Accessories, Melissa Preddie, at a recent Social Development Commission (SDC) Farmers Fest in Mandeville, Manchester.
Caribbean News
Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts celebrate a night of wins, and take home a total of 16 titles at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 6th, 2025) – CaribCon, the Caribbean conference celebrating culture, innovation, and creativity, will welcome some of the region’s most influential voices to its inaugural edition in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event, set to be a dynamic gathering of thought leaders and cultural icons, will feature impactful panel discussions, inspiring and intimate fireside chats and a flow of knowledge from some of the Caribbean’s brightest and best in the creative sector.
Elizabeth “Lady” Montano
Jamaica’s own Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson, celebrated communications specialist, media personality, and global keynote speaker, will headline CaribCon as the official keynote speaker. Known for her ability to connect authentically and inspire audiences worldwide, Dr. Reid will share her insights on Caribbean identity, storytelling, and the power of representation in shaping global narratives. Another highlight of CaribCon will be the presence of Elizabeth “Lady” Montano, mother and former manager of soca superstar Machel Montano. Lady will launch her award-winning book, King of Soca, in which she is positioned as the ultimate insider, chronicling the evolution of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic entertainers. She will also share her invaluable experiences on nurturing talent, building a brand, and sustaining longevity in the competitive music industry in an intimate fireside chat. Adding further star power to the event is Simon Baptiste, CEO of Question Mark Entertainment, co-founder of ODOS, a global collective network spanning over 1000 professionals in 35 countries, film director, talent manager and creative strategist. Baptiste will bring his expertise to conversations on shaping the region’s creative sector and talent.
Simon Baptiste
“CaribCon is where the Caribbean’s voices, ideas, and creativity converge,” says Omega Simmons, founder of CaribCon and CEO of SOS Media. “Having leaders like Terri Karelle, Lady Montano, and Simon Baptiste share their stories and expertise truly embodies the spirit of this event. Their presence reinforces the power of Caribbean culture to inspire and influence on the world stage.” CaribCon will take place at the Shore Club in Providenciales, the Turks and Caicos Islands, from October 23rd to 26th. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, panel discussions, and meaningful dialogue to foster an ecosystem that develops the region’s creative sector and propels it onto the global stage.
Sponsors are:
Signature Experience Partners: Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and The Shore Club.
Other sponsors: PPID, Invest TCI, InterCaribbean Airways, Subtronic Sounds, Spotlight Communications.
Hotel partners: Ocean Club Resorts, Waterloo Hotel Management, The Somerset on Grace Bay and Ports of Call Resort.
For more information, tickets, and updates, visit www.caribcon.co or follow @caribconhq on all social media platforms.
For more information please email: contact@caribcon.co
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