Have a hUmorki day

Aneta Dersley narrates how hUmorki (notice the capital U) starts with her daughter Amelia and her different moods. She takes the chance to make stuffed toys that also look sad or angry, something so unusually in stuffed toys.

At kindergarten Amelia couldn’t find any toys to play with. So Aneta came up with the idea to start sewing stuffed toys which encaptured various moods and various creatures that the world has probably never seen in such form.

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Amelia is the rigorous tester of all the handmade hUmorki toys by taking them on her own adventures in daily living, whether that be in her messy bedroom or on picnics. She has also named many of the toys, such as rabbit Jenny, Bobby, Peli and more.

Aneta feels inspired to create new hUmorki characters thanks to the people who appreciate the work done and the moods that the toys feature that resonate with the people’s hearts.

Visit hUmorki on facebook.

Taking the Silk R(o)ut(e) – Arna Rut

Taking the silk route is quite an addictive journey, according to Arna Rut. “When one gets used to wearing clothing made of silk, one doesn’t want to use anyother material.” For her working with silk is a totally different experience to working with other material.

“When I first came to the textile markets in Dubai I was amazed by the colors and selection of silk. I knew I had to make something out of it. At that time I was working with materials made of cotton and polyester, but since I started using the silk, it’s bit a case of no turning back.”

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Arna’s collection of silk scarves is name Karisma, which comes from the word ‘charisma.’  “Charisma is when a person has a special charm, attractiveness or appeal that people notice. It is in their personality to stand out and inspire others. That is what I want my silk scarves to stand for when people wear them.”

“When I choose the silk, it is a combination of the Dubai lifestyle and my connection to Icelandic women that inspire me.”

Has Arna always been artistic?Since I was a kid I´ve been creating things. Ever since I remember I´ve been interested in fabrics, patterns and colors. My sewing machine has always been a part of my life.”

Last but not least, Arna ensures that she works with a selection of colours for the silk so that the woman can choose from the beautiful colours. “I also want them to feel special when wearing their scarf as their scarf is one of a kind. I only make a few scarves from the same fabric and no two scarves look exactly the same.”

We have to mention that Arna’s business cards is by far, one of the best we have seen. It communicates to the client the pure luxury of the Karisma line of silks, as luxurious as the silk products themselves. This is a lesson for all artisans to remember, that your business cards are your best marketing tools. Create one that stands for what your brand is like and you will be sure your clients will keep coming back for more.

Visit Arna Rut‘s website.

The Art of the Sacred Feminine – Pari Sagar

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Through Pari Sagar’s artwork, one sees the rise of the beautiful sacred feminine energy, whether it is embracing life, or coping with the stresses of life in a peaceful manner.  Through her artwork, one almost grasps the experimental nature of Pari’s work as she loves experimenting with shapes, figures, patterns, texture and colours.

Pari initially majored in graphic design and jewelry design, then found herself in the advertising world. However, her heart ached to express art on canvas. “My art reflects vibrant emotions of love, romance, peace and tranquility with a touch of spirituality,” she says.

Pari loves creating paintings in a series.  She began artwork by drawing inspiration from her own culture and heritage of an Indian. Her abstract work gives her the freedom to play and experiment while ensuring that the heart of the viewer is touched in ways that only the heart knows.

Pari’s website is www.parisagar.net

Like Pari Sagar‘s facebook page.

Unity in Div-art-sity

At the heart of diversity is Art. At least in the Lewisham family from New Zealand.

Jocelyn and Olivia painting away!

Jocelyn and her daughter Olivia both paint together (as you can see them in the above photo), with themes involving the Dubai scapes. As Jocelyn says, “It’s our together time!”  The eldest daughter Jessica is studying for a Bachelor of Design in Fashion while Jocelyn’s husband is the musician in the family who has recorded his own music. Unfortunately we don’t a photo to show the husband at play (no pun intended) at his music studio, but it’s great to know that the ARTE-sans’ families tend to be quite the creative bunch.

So what attracts Jocelyn to the Dubai scape?

In her words, “I never get sick of the view from the Meydan Road looking back at the city. It is this view that has inspired my Dubai scape series (see the photo slide show below). I am endlessly trying to capture the feeling and sense of ‘serenity’, and the soft colours of the city lost in the sand haze. The buildings are painted in such a way as to be reminiscent of Arabic writing. It’s not, but you feel that it could be.”

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Olivia recently sold her latest Burj painting in the last ARTE market, so you can imagine the joy that fuels this young creative soul.
You can contact Joceyln at her website.

Meet our Soap-er Heroes

Handcrafted soap is a blend of both science and art. Whatever your needs, ARTE Markets features a number of soapmakers who offer natural chemical-free beauty & grooming options in a wide array of colours, scents, shapes, sizes and formulations designed for serious skin care. We asked a few of our regular soap-er heroes to share some secret skincare tips.

PAN Soaps by Nada Vukasovic

As one of the first soapmakers to join the ARTE fraternity, Nada Vukasovic is now fondly known at the ‘Papaya Lady’  – thanks to the amazing results reaped by customers who have regularly used her Papaya & Mango Papaya Soaps.

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Why should we choose natural handmade soap?

Nada explains, “Long ago soap companies began removing glycerin and other great natural soap ingredients to increase profits. This required the need to add other less “skin-friendly” chemicals. (Just try reading the ingredients label on your store purchased bar of soap.) This process made “soap” more detergent than true soap. We believe that nature, in its purest form, contains everything the skin needs to be radiant and healthy. We use only fresh natural ingredients in our original recipes. Our handmade products are made of pure organic ingredients. That is why our first choices are products from reliable local and international sources. Not only will you love the feel, you’ll find that true soap lasts MUCH longer than other ‘soap’.”

Nada recommends Papaya Soap

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“This soap bar is enriched with almond oil and fresh papaya juice. This soap is good for redness, acne, reduces and heals acne faster, reduces dark spots and gives a lighter tone to your skin. It is an all natural hand made soap free of artificial preservatives, colours and fragrances. It is miracle soap, our best one!”

Colibri Natural Beauty Care by Victoria Molnar

Victoria is one of the most recent soapmaker to join ARTE. It was her passion for solving health problem the way nature intended that she decided to create toxin-free, gentle & natural beauty products to make the skin feel soft and smooth while helping to retain it`s natural moisture.

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Why should we choose natural handmade soap?

Victoria explains, “Our skin is our largest organ and it will most definitely respond to the toxins we ingest from chemically overloaded commercially manufactured beauty care products. Our skin is not only the largest organ but the thinnest as well, which in turn, makes it the most permeable. What you put on your skin will be directly absorbed into your bloodstream and affect your health dramatically. My products heal and nourish and leave skin feeling smooth, soft, supple and looking great.”

Victoria recommends Lavender & Tea Tree Oil Body Butter

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“Lavender and tea tree oil are a power couple when it comes to healing problem, acne-prone, oily, and aging skin. Lavender oil is the one of the gentlest essential oils making it great to use for children and on sensitive skin. Combined with tea tree oil, they heal, protect and soothe the skin, regenerate and restore elasticity. Both these oils are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing. For skin problems like acne, eczema, dermatitis, and insect bites, this clean and fresh smelling body butter can be your best friend. No chemicals. No preservatives. No artificial colors. No fragrances.”

Desert Rose Handmade Soaps by Firuza Wragg

Firuza’s began creating bars of soap for a fun project to do with her children, but soon got addicted to the soapmaking process. When her recipes began building a demand, she jumped into the deep end and started my own business – that recently debuted at ARTE.

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Why should we choose natural handmade soap?

Firuza says, “Commercial soap manufacturers make it a practice to remove the glycerine that is produced during the saponification (soap-making) process. The glycerine is a highly profitable substance, often sold to other companies who use it to make lotions and moisturizers, which your skin, now dried out from the harsh detergent ‘soap,’ desperately needs. On the other hand, my handmade soaps are made with all natural ingredients which premium natural vegetable and essential oils. There is no water or filler. This makes for a very dense, longer lasting bar of soap. It feels as good in your hand as it does on your skin.”

Firuza recommends Beer & Coconut Milk Gourmet Soap

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“Seabuckthorn seed oil and fruit oil contain healing and softening fatty acids that nourish and replenish the skin. These oils improve skin conditions as rosacea, eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis; heal burns and reduce the associated pain; shrink small capillaries, even skin tone, reduce the effects of sun damage and provide minor UV protection. 100% Vegan, 100% Natural. Free of artificial colours.”

 

Of manes racing the wind – Horse Paintings by Manisha Andrade

Here is an artist who is not only ready to paint away horses, stallions racing in the Arabian wind, but also has a great website to market her paintings. Visit Manisha Andrade‘s website and be inspired by her website design (and her cute logo) to help you move ahead in marketing your work on a greater scale.

Manisha Andrade at ARTE. Photo supplied by Andrade

Manisha Andrade at ARTE. Photo supplied by Andrade

Her love story with horses and stallions started on a day when she felt bored. An empty canvas board, a bag of acrylic paints and a basket of paintbrushes later, the knight riders, the horses, the stallions began to materialise.

One can almost feel one’s own hair been caressed by the desert winds of Dubai and taken into a dreamland where stallions of different breeds, colours and races come together for the unified race of life!

Ride the manic manes!

Ride the manic manes!

Painting is the 'mane' thing in Andrade's life

Painting is the ‘mane’ thing in Andrade’s life

Knight Rider!

Knight Rider!

Like Manisha‘s facebook page.

Nihad Nadam – in love with Arabic calligraphy

Arabic calligraphic themed handcrafts are trending these days. From pendants to keychains, from Tshirt designs to brooches. Even business logos incorporate Arabic calligraphy for that one of kind artistic touch.

Nihad at his ARTE stall.

Nihad at his ARTE stall.

ARTE caught Nihad Nadam at the last DFC ARTE Souq creating badges in Arabic Calligraphic style. Nihad has a way with words Arabic calligraphic style, a certain flair that helps him help his customer choose the best font style to get their messages across. To create badges, he uses some heavy duty equipment (which for the life of me, I couldn’t even lift it from the table), and with great precision so characteristic of dedicated designer-crafters, puts the badges together.

The heavy duty machine with the finished badges.

The heavy duty machine with the finished badges.

Source of Photo: http://www.nihad.me/GraphicDesigner/

Source of Photo: http://www.nihad.me/GraphicDesigner/

One of the things we learnt is that translation of English phrases into Arabic, doesn’t convey the same message. So Nihad helps the customer by discussing the most appropriate Arabic words that convey the essence of the English phrase. As you may appreciate, this is very important, because the last thing you want is to create something so beautiful but it doesn’t make sense when read in Arabic.

Source of Photo: http://www.nihad.me/GraphicDesigner/

Source of Photo: http://www.nihad.me/GraphicDesigner/

So if you are itching to have your name done in Arabic calligraphy, whether it is the Thuluth style or the Diwani style, hop on to Nihad’s stall and he will be happy to assist.

Source of Photo: http://www.nihad.me/GraphicDesigner/

Source of Photo: http://www.nihad.me/GraphicDesigner/

Last but not least, we are impressed with Nihad’s facebook page which has a grand following of 25,000 deeply engaged followers.

Visit Nihad’s website for more inspiration.