ARTE‘s countdown to National Day and Christmas continues tomorrow, Friday, November 18  at the Al Hamra Mall in Ras Al Khaimah and the Mercato Center in Dubai.

This week’s artist is Sundar from the Indian Christian Women’s Charity organization (sirra.sundar@hotmail.com).

Sundar has lived in the UAE for 30 years and has been a member of ARTE for 8 years. As a boy, Sundar remembers how all the women in his neighborhood used to crochet and make lace to earn a living.

Overtime, the demand for such beautiful work lessened as younger generations began to see Aukindoe handmade work as old-fashioned; not the modern way.

Fewer people buying has meant that women are no longer able to make money to support themselves. It has also meant that the craft is dying out because younger women no longer learn the skills involved.

When you buy something from Sundar, you are helping women in need. The women who make these beautiful creations, get a monthly wage and they are preserving this craft for future generations.

Everything is handmade from 100% cotton and the lace is done in delicate white and cream.

The women create doilies

glass covers

food covers

bedcovers

Just look at that design work!

Tablecloths

Take a closer look

(Wouldn’t this one be beautiful on your Christmas or National Day dinner table?)

You can see how the cloth and lace are matched so beautifully

table runners

and table mats – plain or fancy.

The women also make clothes like this beautiful piece modeled by Suzan ( Facebook  ).

Need a special size or shape? Have a dress idea? Custom orders are gladly accepted.

Intricate patterns and designs that are sure to add a touch of class to any home.

So stop by Sundar’s table and say hi the next time you are at ARTE in Times Square!

There are only 4 more Time Square ARTE markets until Christmas; 2 more before National Day; 1 before American Thanksgiving – time is running out to get unique handmade gifts for the ones you love. Don’t miss out! Get over to ARTE this Friday, November 11 from 11am -6pm at Times Square. Parking is free and many vendors are ready for business by 10am!

This week’s artist is Sarah from Hector’s Handmade(Sarah@hectorshandmade.com , Facebook). Sarah will be at all 4 upcoming Times Square ARTE markets.

Sarah is originally from Kent in England, but has lived in the UAE for 7 years. Sarah creates many wonderful household accessories, but she is most famous for her cushions.

Sarah blames her mother for her love of crafting.  From an early age, Sarah helped her out with making homemade bobbin lace. This led to sewing, which Sarah found she was good at. After coming to Dubai, Sarah quickly learned that everyone here loves camels so she created her special camel applique shape, and Hector’s Handmade was born!

I asked her how she came up with the name for Hector’s Handmade and she told me it was named for Hector’s House, a children’s TV show that featured a dog named Hector. Next time you are at ARTE, stop by Sarah’s table and look at her handmade mascot, Hector and check out her great cat and dog cushion collection.

I love that Sarah’s functional cushions use clean lines and simplistic designs and come in 3 sizes: 50×50

50×25

and 60 x 30

These cushions fit perfectly in any furniture situation and every cover comes with its own cushion so its a perfect fit every time.

The cushions are stylish,

but also practical because these robust cushions are easy to wash which make them child friendly.

Covers are made from cotton and the Union Jacks are made in faux suede which give them a luxurious feel, but are animal friendly.  Great for Movember,

National Day

and Christmas.

Plus, Sarah can make custom orders for your friends and family.

Sarah makes a lot more than just cushions. She has lavender sachets to hang in your closets or put in your clothes’ drawers. They would even be beautiful on your Christmas tree.

Custom made Union Jack

and England curtains that are just perfect for your living room or man cave! Have a flag curtain idea you would like to see in your home? Discuss it with Sarah and she will see what she can do.

Sarah also makes Pencil cases

table runners

and bunting that is perfect for that special party or event!

You must check out her fantastic Christmas designs like her stockings

and Santa sacks!

and of course, cushions!

Next time you are at ARTE, stop by Hector’s Handmade  table and see what Sarah can do for you!

#artethemakersmarket, #christmasARTE, #artisansoftheemirates, #movemberARTE, #wemakewhatwesell.

Have a look at these past ARTE’s Artists:

Craft by Two by Saeid and Lui

Arti Karnek (Hearti Grub)

Lina Suarez (Pictoresca)

Chetana Badiger (Craft Paper Nest)

Darcy (The Camel Lady)

Suzan (Glass Art – Hand Engraving)

Hollie (Phlox and Two Bunny Bracelets)

Mehwish Riaz

Natalia (Handmade Gifts)

Eva (Eva’s Cats)

Katrina (Petite Lamb)

Sharon (Shataz)

Manuella Garfia (Ever Charms)

Uzaan (Hang On)

Welcome to November! Or should I say Movember! The countdown to Christmas and National Day has begun! With less than 8 weeks to go you will want to hurry out to ARTE at the Oasis Mall this Friday and start shopping for those unique one of a kind handmade gifts which will impress your friends and family!

This week’s ARTE  artist is Craft by Two by Saeid and Lui, a husband and wife team who create masterpieces from recycled building materials (Facebook , craftbytwo.biddi.com, craftbytwo@gmail.com , Instagram: craftbytwo)

Saeid and Lui have lived in the UAE for 20 years. Originally from Iran and the Phillipines, they have been members of ARTE for one and a half years. They create industrial rustic home decorations such as furniture

lighting

and signs.

They use all natural materials and recycle as much as possible.

I asked them how they got started. Saeid told me that his home in Iran has an orchard and he does the plumbing and electrical work when he is home. This is a big job and as a result, there are always a lot of extra pipes lying around. Saeid wanted to do something with them and this fueled his passion for elemental and functional art.

He discovered by using his electrical skills he could turn left over pipes into lights. Using the elements of metal, glass and wood gives his steampunk  creations a lifelike quality which is both charming and whimsical.

Many of Saeid’s pieces can be moved to change shapes, but my favourite feature is that you can just touch the lamp to adjust the light. There are 4 settings – dim, medium, bright and off. That means you can go from a bright room lamp to a softer reading light to turning off the lamp just by touching it. No more fumbling around for the switch as your drifting off to sleep!

Saeid is happy to make custom designs that would look great in any home or business.

Stop by Craft by Two at ARTE and see what Saeid can do for you.

Let’s not forget Lui and her rescued, recycled and repurposed wooden sign creations that beautifully complement her husband’s work.

I asked Lui how she got involved in sign making. She told me that it bothered her to see so much wood that was just left lying around after a building project was finished and she felt that so much could be done with it so  she started making signs.

Lui loves historical, antique, rustic vintage things and she wanted her signs to reflect this. She works hard to weather the wood for the perfect old-fashioned look. She spends a lot of time, energy and love to create her unique work.

She is also inspired by old Americana designs

and humour

which she combines to create modern signs perfect for the UAE.

Her signs come in a variety of sizes and are not mass produced – everything is handmade – and she is happy to custom make a sign that is perfect just for you.

What a great Christmas gift idea. Stop by Craft by Two next time you are at ARTE and see what Saeid and Lui can do for you!

#ARTEthemakersmarket

#Wemakewhatwesell

#HandmadeintheUAE

Check out previous ARTE’s Artists:

Arti Karnek (Hearti Grub)

Lina Suarez (Pictoresca)

Chetana Badiger (Craft Paper Nest)

Darcy (The Camel Lady)

Suzan (Glass Art – Hand Engraving)

Hollie (Phlox and Two Bunny Bracelets)

Mehwish Riaz

Natalia (Handmade Gifts)

Eva (Eva’s Cats)

Katrina (Petite Lamb)

Sharon (Shataz)

Manuella Garfia (Ever Charms)

Uzaan (Hang On)