Preparing for 2015 – ARTE reveals new bookmarks, new dates!

As 2014 comes to a close, we, at ARTE have many things to be grateful for. Our ever busy and committed core team of ARTE press officers, bloggers, administrators, and social media experts would like to take this opportunity to thank all our artisans who have been with us, serving up quality handmade treats to our customers. We thank the customers who have graced us with their presence and have regularly purchases our quality products made with our own hands and a pure heart and mind; thus supporting our handmade pledge.

2014 in review

We have also come a long way in terms of expanding our horizons in the UAE. While our popular Dubai Festival City Market was cancelled just before the summer, ARTE expanded into Mirdif’s Arabian Centre and made RAK Al Hamra Mall a permanent location for handcrafts. ARTE also happens twice a month at Times Square Centre. We even were part of the Winter Fun Fest at the Green Community. Yes, we have far-reaching impact on those that crave a bit of something handmade right here in the UAE.

ARTE Markets 2015 dates announced

The ARTE 2015 bookmarks are in! The ARTE management have locked down the dates for the full year of 2015 at Times Square Center, Dubai and Al Hamra Mall, Ras Al Khaimah. Beautifully combined with snazzy snapshots of the awesome ARTE artisans’ products, our bookmarks announce the 2015 dates. Bookings are open; be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.

The making of the 2015 bookmarks

We want to share the ‘bookmark making’ fun we had, so take a behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot for the new bookmarks. ARTE’s core team scouted the ARTE markets for a variety of products from various vendors and spent an enjoyable morning playing with toys, trying on accessories and indulging in freshly made cupcakes – quality control is crucial after all. From there, the process continued to the ‘final selection committee’: the graphic designer and ARTE management. While we wish we could feature all our talented artisans, we thank the selected vendors for participating and hope to inspire everyone to create their best work in 2015 and beyond.

The history behind the bookmark

First conceptualized in 2005 when ARTE was founded, the logo and designs developed over the years with input from various graphic designers. The idea of the bookmark came from the commitment ARTE management made to promote the markets and its vendors.  The bookmark is compact, portable and useful. Here are a few images of the bookmark’s evolution, and if you want to delve further and see how far we have come, click on the links below and you will know!

Wishing you a very Happy New Year and lots of handmade love and luck come your way.

New ARTE Bookmarks for 2013

ARTE bookmarks in weird and wonderful places – Tracey Marshall

ARTE bookmarks in weird and wonderful places – Eva’s CATS

ARTE bookmarks in Weird and Wonderful Places – Fruitbowl Workshops

ARTE Bookmarks in weird and wonderful places – Paras Creations

Featured Artisan – Glass engraving by Suzan Gathoni

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A Dubai resident for six years, Kenyan artist Suzan Gathoni specializes in glass engraving. Trained in Kenya with a British Master Glass Engraver and a member of the Guild of Glass Engravers, Gathoni is now a freelance artist participating in the ARTE markets.

 

Gathoni specializes in the technique of intaglio engraving, which she explains is the art of hand sculpting a three-dimensional design on to a glass surface, creating a negative image. As the light falls and plays on the deeply carved designs, the image appears as though it is in relief.

 

Gathoni's glass engravings

Gathoni’s glass engravings

 

Safety precautions are vital to the engraving process as the glass dust is dangerous to inhale. Gathoni advises “using water during the process as engraving should not be done on dry glass. The work area should be kept humid at all times, preventing the glass dust to dry.”

 

Gathoni at work

Gathoni at work

 

Nature and culture are Gathoni’s biggest inspirations. Her work regularly features wild animals from her native Africa. Liking Dubai and its people and cultures more each year, she feels motivated to expand her horizons, which is why you will see local UAE designs incorporated into her engravings.

 

 

With both locals and expats buying her works, Gathoni believes ARTE has given her good exposure, saying that “It is amazing how Dubai people love handmade things.”

Follow her Facebook page and visit her table at this weekend, Saturday 20th December, at the ARTE market in the Arabian Center, Mirdif. Click here for the location map.

 

Images courtesy of Suzan Ghatoni.

 

Interview with Polymer Clay artist Anne-Sophie D’Souza

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French artist Anne-Sophie is known of her eye-catching polymer clay jewelry work. She has chosen this handcrafting form to work with because she finds it a flexible medium to creating something bautiful either to wear (for example, jewelry) or embellish one’s home (vases, cutlery and even light switches). “Working with polymer clay is like entering a new dimension. The possibilities of creating amazing art are so many, I could not list all of them,” she says.
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Anne-Sophie's booth at ARTE.

Anne-Sophie’s booth at ARTE.

She gains her inspiration from world leading polymer clay artists such as Donna Kato, Sara Shriver and Alice Stroppel. Hailing from Maine et Loire, France, a region known for its castles and history, she also gains inspiration from nature.  If you were to pop by Anne-Sophie’s studio, you will not only find polymer clay and liquid polymer clay but an array of other tools and materials which may be trash to others, but remain invaluable to her work. “I use alcohols to enhance my work. Apart from pasta machine, cutters and tools that are part of the polymer clay art creation process, I keep every single thing that I feel I may use in some project or another. Things like glass jars, bulbs, spoons to shape a bead. For creating impressions on the clay, you may find that I use a cap of a pen, or even a kid shoe print with flowers.” She smiles smugly and declares, “I have become a collector in my own home!”
Pretty Polymer Clay Flowers made by Anne-Sophie

Pretty Polymer Clay Flowers made by Anne-Sophie

 

Earrings that look like butterfly wings, ready to fly away!

Earrings that look like butterfly wings, ready to fly away!

Like many artists, Anne-Sophie loves working in other art forms, stitching and painting being on top of her list. “But only second and third to polymer clay,” she reminds us. While she invested in her first pack of colourful polymer clay way back in 2006, she only started to work with the technique in 2009. Eventually, this led her to participate at ARTE in early 2011.  “I love Mokume Gane technique, which involves having several layers of different colours and then impressing with tools of your choice (either stamps or sharp tools). Then you slice delicately and each slice is a different pattern with different colors. You use these slices to cover your core beads or shapes.”
Autumn and winter leaves?

Autumn and winter leaves?

Find Anne-Sophie at ARTE this Friday, Times Square.
Her website can be accessed here.
Follow her work on Facebook.
 

Rocking the UAE the handmade way this Christmas

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With the holiday season upon us, ARTE is pleased to announce that we are participating at the Market and Winter Fun Fest, an event put together by the fabulous folks at the Green Community.  This in addition to our regular markets at Times Square Centre, RAK Al Hamra Mall and the Arabian Centre, Mirdif; making it so easy for you to catch up on your last minute shopping the handcrafted ARTE way at different locales around the UAE. At the Green Community festive event, there will be a Santa’s Grotto, a fashion show, dance performances and the lighting of the Christmas tree with carol singing. So, mark your diaries – Saturday, 13th December, 12 – 7 pm, and pop by to buy some colourful festive decorations.

Speaking of which, decorating is always a fun and festive activity.  Making decorations are even more fun.  That’s why the artisans at ARTE offer an array of handmade items to transform your home and entertain your family, friends and special guests like Santa Claus (and his Mrs.). Here are a few examples for festive decorative inspiration.

 

Wreaths  by The Flowerful Project

Welcome guests to your home with these natural, fresh wreaths by floral designer Alisa Sokoliuk. Serving as door, window or table decorations, they bring the distinctive pine smell of a traditional Christmas tree to your home.

Images courtesy of Alisa at The Flowerful Project.

 

Knitted decorations by Marjan and Bahar

Iranian sisters Marjan and Bahar knit these nifty little tree decorations. They also have a selection of Santas in all shapes and sizes to fit into any nooks and crannies. You can view more of their knitted works here and read an interview with them on knitting for success.

 

 

Textile and quilts by Tessa

For a warm and cosy Christmas feel, have a look at South African crafter Tessa Jahnig’s textiles and quilts.  See her selection from wall hangings and stockings to dinner tableware to add a festive flair. More of Tessa’s work is available on her blog.

 

 

Christmas crackers by Wayne

Have some fun around the dinner table with these imaginative crackers by Wayne. Customize the colours, the words, the sizes, as well as the fillings, to entertain everyone. Wayne’s crackers also contain Whimsies by Wade (collectible figurines from the UK). They were even featured in the film “Harry Potter and the Chamber of secrets”. To read more on the history of crackers, see Wayne’s website.

 

Nativity scenes by Miriam The Felt Lady

Iconic to a traditional Christmas celebration, every home needs a nativity scene. For a variation on conventional sculptures, Miriam Walsh fashions these intimate scenes from felt and wood. You can find more information on Miriam here.

Once again, here are the dates for ARTE markets in December:

There are three more official ARTE markets before Christmas:

Friday 12th December at Times Square Center,  Dubai

Friday, 13th December at Green Community, Dubai

Friday 19th December at Al Hamra Mall, Ras Al Khaimah

Saturday 20th December at Arabian Center, Mirdif, Dubai.

 

Please visit our website for further details.

Images taken by Stephanie Neville unless otherwise credited.

Innovative fabric gifts for kids and mums

ARTE’s artisans not only thrive on creating handmade goods, but innovative and unusual ones as well. Here is a lowdown of three interesting goodies created by our talented artisans.

My FoodnStuff

My FoodnStuff not only make delicious and preservative free cupcakes, cakepops, cookies and desserts, they are also offering an opportunity for you and your kids to transform your cooking time with your kids into fun and bond-building time.  This opportunity comes in the form of ‘mum and me’ apron sets made by My FoodnStuff Kitchen. Dads need not feel left out. FoodnStuff Kitchen can do customised ones in different designs.

Ici et la

This French brand (the name means ‘here and there’) makes cute bags and pouches that are created to hold socks, kids underpants, and even the little one’s comfort blanket. Ici et la makes these in different sizes, designs (and in French or English). They also make sets for kid and dad too!

 

 

Stitch ‘n Thing

Stitch ‘n Thing focuses on customised embroidery and gifts. From baby shower gifts, to bibs, from towels for the newly weds to the elder sister t-shirt (see photo), Stitch ‘n Thing is your port of call for all things strictly embroidered.

 

 

Photos are either taken by Alex Nes of Green Moments Photography & Art or belong to the artisans themselves.

Visit ARTE’s official website for more information on our fabulous art fairs throughout the year.

 

 

 

Celebrate UAE National Day with our artists

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In honour of UAE National Day on the 2nd of December, we are featuring ARTE’s amazing artists who will be showcasing their art this coming Friday at Times Square Centre, Dubai.  Central to ARTE’s charm, we showcase a variety of artists who employ a range of mediums and techniques to translate their individual experiences of living in the UAE. Have a look at the beauty of this country’s people, landscape, culture and ideology through the artists’ eyes:

 

Carrie Wareham

Since childhood, British artist Carrie Wareham was intrigued by stories of the Orient, like Aladdin’s tales. Moving to the UAE in 2001 she fell in love with the architecture, specifically the windows and doors: “I felt there was a certain mystique about them”. Wareham’s “Majlis” series is inspired by the traditional red tents used for social meetings, where the warmth of the welcoming hospitality is echoed in the rich colours in her work.

Images courtesy of Carrie Wareham

 

Hanifah Balangue

Currently a student of Islamic Art, Hanifa Balangue has lived in the UAE for 7 years. Describing the Emiratis as “very nice people, helpful and respectful”, it is this peaceful environment which inspires her love of Islamic art and Arabic calligraphy. The calligraphy is particularly enjoyed by the Muslim community and Balangue is excited to share her work with other residents and tourists. Read more on Hanifah Balangue in a previous blog post here:

 

Images courtesy of Hanifah Balangue 

 

Purvi Verma

Financial Analyst turned full time artist, Purvi Verma has been living in the UAE since 2011. Perceiving the UAE as an Expat dominated country, Verma enjoys being amongst so many different nationalities, breaking stereotypes by crossing borders. The UAE inspires her work with its “rich culture and heritage which has certain similarities with my home country [India]”. Read more here on Purvi Verma from a previous blog post.

Images courtesy of Purvi Verma

 

Catherine McEvoy

A resident for 2.5 years, Catherine McEvoy “realised how fond people are of their time in the UAE and that they want something beautiful to remember it by”. Being able to customize her work to customers’ specific colour palettes, her UAE-based designs such as “Jamal the Camel” and the “Grand Mosque” remain to be the most popular to cherish memories of the UAE.

Images courtesy of Catherine McEvoy

 

Marlene Metni Nasra

Moving to the UAE with her family in 2003, Lebanese artist Marlene Metni Nasra spends her time raising her three children, doing yoga, playing tennis and painting. “When I moved to Dubai, I felt that the beautiful scenic landscapes and its national heritage were better expressed in watercolour”. Nasra also uses mediums like oils and acrylics. She employs the “Hand of Fatima” as an artistic metaphor to translate the tolerance she experiences between the different nationalities and religions “living peacefully side by side”. Read more on the ‘Hand of Fatima” and Marlene’s work from a previous blog post here.

Images courtesy of Marlene Metni Nasra

 

Maruska Lebrun

Dutch artist Maruska Lebrun have been living in the UAE since 1979. The desert landscapes, the beautiful sunsets, the play of lights and darks have always been a great source of inspiration for her. She portrays Arabian wildlife, like camels and falcons, as well as traditional Arab architecture and landscapes. Painting mostly in watercolours, Lebrun’s work shows a maturity and sensitive understanding of the environment as a long term resident of the UAE.

 

Images courtesy of Maruska Lebrun

 

Meet these artists in person at ARTE Arts & Crafts market, Friday 28 November at Times Square Mall from 12 – 7 pm. Please visit our website for more details.

 

When in Ras Al Khaimah, go to ARTE

The best excuse for a road trip to Ras Al Khaimah this Friday is taking a pit stop at the ARTE Arts & Crafts market at Al Hamra Mall. Our vendors are showcasing a variety of unique products and with the Festive Season approaching fast, head out with your family for a fun shopping spree.

Here is a small sampler of what to expect at UAE’s only artisan market.

 

MVCO- Mary’s Virgin Coconut Oil

Kick off your visit with MVCO- Mary’s Virgin Coconut Oil. Passionately handmade by Mary Hubert (who is based in Ras Al Khaimah) from selected matured coconut kernels, this versatile and naturally healthy oil boosts the immune system, keeping those seasonal cold and flu bugs at bay.

Images courtesy of Mary Hubert.

 

 

Palm Lights candles

Eco-friendly Palm Lights candles are created by environmentalist Bhawna Sehra. Using vegan palm wax, 100% pure aromatherapy grade essential oils, aniline free dyes and cotton or wooden wicks, she ensures that each candle is unique in colour, fragrance and design. Read more on Palm Lights in a previously published blog story on this versatile artisan.

Images courtesy of Bhawna Sehra.

 

Sand Pictures

Join in the fun at the Sand Pictures table hosted by Iva Kostadinova. With cartoon character pictures and multi-coloured sands, we cherish their slogan, “We make kids happy.”

Images courtesy of Sand Pictures.

 

3H by Tatyana Pastukova

Tatyana Pastukova’s handmade teddy bears and dolls inspired her trade name, 3H, from the ideas in her Head, to working with her Hands, each character becomes a piece of her Heart.

Images courtesy of Tatyana.

Lola Team

Travel back in time with these custom-made, vintage inspired accessories and watches by the Lola team.

Images courtesy of Lola Jewelry/ Watches.

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ARTE Art & Craft Market at Al Hamra Mall, Ras Al Khaimah will run from  12 – 7 pm on the 21st of November, and every third Friday of the month. Click here to find your way to ARTE at RAK.

Featured artisan – Rebecca Bear

Rebecca Bear’s Doodle Art is very popular amongst ARTE’s customers. The art started out as a way to keep her mind busy while watching TV or while waiting for something. She says, “I get bored doing nothing and while many people may find it relaxing to do nothing, I find it hard to sit still. I found that drawing and doodling became the best way for me to unwind.

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The orders poured in after she made a personalized picture for my husband early in 2014. The doodle involved images, places, phrases and patterns that they could both relate to. “I had about 10 people asking where I had bought such an unusual picture and considering their reaction to my saying that I had made it myself, it made me realize that this could have potential.”

Rebecca hails from Germany, but is half English, so, “When it comes to being on time I am very German and when it comes to drinking tea I am very English,” she laughs. She has learnt to follow her heart, live her dreams and be positive from her parents. “My family and friends are very supportive giving me feedback, helping me out selling at ARTE and believing in me. A close friend is helping me with everything technical and marketing, he pushes me to keep on going and has many ideas I try take on board as much as possible. And, last but not least, I am grateful to my husband who is very patient and supportive of my passion. But, he is also my biggest critic and fan, in equal measure!”

Initially working with ink pen and paper, Rebecca now work in digital media which allows her to be ever more creative and flexible especially when it comes to creating custom orders. “Each personalization has made me stretch the boundaries of my technique, which has really surprised me, as every day I am learning how to create something new and exciting.

Creating personalised gifts is a big part of what Rebecca does. From personalized wedding, birthday, baby shower and Christmas gifts, she has done them all. It is all about creating personal gifts for those living in Dubai – a personal touch to a busy, city-way of living. “It is great to take a person’s life story and turn it into art. What is most important to me is to get the character and atmosphere right, so I always insist on having at least one phone call with my client to hear their voice and passion about the person the gift is intended for.

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Rebecca will be showcasing her doodle art this Friday, at Times Square Centre.
Like her work on facebook and see you at ARTE.

Hallo to Halloween and Autumn

It may still be blazing hot in Dubai, though we are at the end of October, but fashionably speaking, it’s all autumn colours on the fashion walk and Halloween on the way end of this month.  Here are some of our brilliant artisans incorporating the colours  (and tastes) of Halloween and Autumn in their work.

Irenespots

Irenespots is particularly known for her terrifyingly cute monsters, which, if you want to read more about, you can click here.   Check out her pumpkin pots for this Halloween. Which of the two grimacing pumpkin pots do you prefer?

irenespots

Like Irenespots on facebook.

 

MoJePerle

This polymer clay artist has been part of the ARTE family for a number of years and her designs play beautifully on the colours of autumn and our ARTE brand colours. Read more about her story here.

 

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autumhalloween-mojeperleLike MojePerle on facebook.

 

Paras Creations

Isn’t the Halloween Princess in the photo below, cute? That’s what you get when your princess gal wears a Paras Creations dress, and carries that handmade broom, made by Paras’ loving hands (yes, she actually makes the broom herself, recycling from bigger brooms and donning aubergine flowers on them). Read more about this artisan’s work here.

paras creations

parasbrooms

Like Paras Creations on facebook.

 

Well Preserved

This Halloween, Well Preserved has whipped up a garlic based Vampire Relish to keep the vampires away. Check out what these are usually girls are up to in the Well Preserved kitchen.

wellpreserved

Like Well Preserved on facebook.

 

Mary Falconer Designs

This talented artisan makes awesome clutches and has diversified into making bracelets that match her stylish handbags. Here are our two top picks from her collection (in orange and black, of course!).

Read more about Mary Falconer Designs here.

marybracelets

Yes, you can even express Love during the scary, dark night of Halloween. Mary Falconer Designs shows us how (just wear her black noir tiered bracelet and you are well away).

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In the sand pit

Check out the awesome fabric that In the Sand Pit uses in pretty girlish skirts and tees. The motifs are very striking – from the black silhouette of an alert cat, to the friendly ghosts and skeletons (reminiscent of Casper, the friendly ghost cartoons from bygone days). We even like the polka dotted dress and ribbons, that go very well with the chevron border and the tall witchy hats.

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Like In the sandpit on facebook.

 

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We hope we kept you bewitched with this year’s rendition of Halloween at the ARTE blog. Don’t forget, if you wish to book a table with us at ARTE, all you have to do is to read the Vendor information on our website, choose your preferred ARTE location, and book with us. We look forward to seeing you become part of our group.

 

 

Sing praise to the Preze studio of clay flowers

Visitors to ARTE can not only buy handmade products made by our lovely artisans, they have the opportunity to experiment with various handcrafting workshops and demos.  One such workshop is making your own clay flowers, presented by Darya Naidenkova, Founder of PREZE studio of Clay Flowers.

At the workshop, you will get to try your hand at making flower out of air dry polymer clay. Polymer Clay such as FIMO needs to be baked at a particular temperature for it to cure. However, air dry polymer clay makes it easy for beginners to sculpt flowers that look real, and just wait for them to cure naturally. No hassles with getting the oven temperatures just right.

 

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We caught up with Darya who shares with us what the workshop is all about. “I am presenting clay flower arrangements for home or office decorations. As part of the workshop, customers will get to choose arrangement or a bouquet as per their needs. These are all handmade by me, right in front of them at ARTE. By hosting this workshop, I want to implement my artistic potential, which brings me joy.

 

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Now, be warned. At first glance, flowers made by Darya look so real, that people who prefer fresh flowers nearly buy them. She says, “It’s interesting to see the confused look on the faces of passersby, because they wonder what I am doing at a handcrafted market, because they think I am selling fresh flowers. This, however, is a great opportunity for me to start a conversation with them.” Doing demos always gets the crowds coming and one family stopped by at her stall and ordered an arrangement on the spot for their office.

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Darya will be starting her workshops in November at ARTE, that’s just two weeks away, so get in touch with her and make some magic happen.

Like Preze on facebook.