Eye Strive Enterprises combines all of Shimshown’s talents as a master plumber, carpenter, and artist. His woodwork and metalwork are simultnaeously designed to be practical and practiced in the art of Gullah culture and connection. After connecting his own upbringing in the midlands of South Carolina to his wife’s Gullah Geechee culture, he is always learning and practicing Gullah Geechee cultural values in his work: sustainability, self-sufficiency, and preservation.
"I created these handcrafted oyster knives after experiencing a Gullah oyster roast with my wife, Regina. Seeing the way people came together, shared stories, laughed, and connected over food stayed with me. The oyster knife became more than a tool. It became a symbol of community, culture, and fellowship. This piece is my way of honoring the traditions that have shaped and sustained generations of Gullah people. "
