Category: Kids

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.

 

 

 

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.

Celebrate Spring with Sayofles Sandals

It’s time to say Ola Kala Tha Pane (in Greek) to mean All is Well.  What with the UAE winter softly sliding away into the past, pave your way into Spring (literally) with handmade sandals by Sayofles Sandals. Alexia, the lady behind this brand, uses real leather from Greece and actually stitches the sandals herself (ask her to show you her hands that have seen leather, needle and thread and you will know).

After stitching the sandals, Alexia uses various embellishments to adorn them. Swarovski crystals to delightful Walt Disney characters. Flowers to colourful beads.

Sayofles Sandals are available in different colours, sizes and for men, women and children.

Sayofles Sandals are available in different colours, sizes and for men, women and children.

If you don’t like colours and prefer neutral shades of beige and browns, Sayofles Sandals can customise for you.

What's amazing about Sayofles Sandals is that they come in various designs of the actual sandals skeletons (even before the adornment is added)

What’s amazing about Sayofles Sandals is that they come in various designs of the actual sandals skeletons (even before the adornment is added)

Mickey and Minni Sandals.

Mickey and Minni Sandals.

She also makes sandals for men. You can be sure that if there is a particular size that you want to order, then she has them all.  Once a (male) passerby asked her (pointing out to her hello kitty sandals for kids), “Can you make the same for men in my shoe size.” She replied, “Yes,”
in all seriousness.

The point we are driving at is that , there is no size too small, too big; no colour to glitzy or staid; no order too ostentatious or boring for this young Greek lady to work your sandals appetite.

Tutti Frutti sandals for Spring.

Tutti Frutti sandals for Spring.

Join Sayofles Sandals on facebook.

Have a Handmade Halloween!

Our ARTE Artisans have been very busy creating Halloween themed handmade products. From fun decorations to toys and delicious treats, each piece will help you stand out at your upcoming Halloween party.

Crochet Zombies and Pumpkins by Komeropuoti – Little Craft Shop

Pumpkin Toffee by Toffee Princess

Halloween inspired Crystal Tree by Sahar’s Luxury Handicrafts

Halloween inspired Cat-Shaped Decorative Cushions by Eva’s Cats

Stuffed toys by Natalia Sukhanova

Halloween Inspired Miniature Sculptures by Orange Jar

Halloween Bunting by Bright & Beautiful ME

Trick or Treat Buckets by Bright & Beautiful ME

Halloween inspired Cupcakes by Farah Nausheen Arshad & Sana Ayesha Arshad

Little boys set by In The Sand Pit

Polymer Clay Earrings by Mojeperle

Skull Cork Stoppers by Colin Roberts from 2RGalleries

Ways to Go Green! (Recycled Gift Ideas & More)

Our ARTE Markets are an invaluable resource for visitors to discover a wide variety of beautifully locally crafted items for the home. Among others, ARTE also welcomes a variety of locally-based artisans, who are committed to using sustainable, eco-friendly practices.

Here are a few green gift ideas for any occasion, – hand produced by ARTE Artisans, who have put their skills and love into making the products.

Scrabble tile cuff links by Theresa Tsui

Old zippers transformed into attractive rings

Old zippers transformed into attractive hairbands

Sock monkeys by Sandustar Socks Toys

Sock monkeys by Sandustar Socks Toys

Upcycled driftwood candle holders by Kariba Arts

Hand painted bottles by Artmitul

Hand stamped old spoons 

Old CDs transformed into Candle Holders by Pretty Dezines

Fabric scraps transformed into reusable envelopes

Sale of Second-Hand Books in support of Feline Friends

It’s Raining (stuffed) cats and dogs!

In the creative world, we can give ourselves permission to be any kind of creative thing we want to be; or do amazing things that rock the creative hearts and minds of all.  In real life, summer may be upon us, but we allow ourselves to imagine that rain does away with creative blocks we artisans we may face.

Especially when it is raining cats and dogs.

Thankfully, at ARTE May markets, we report that it rained stuffed cats, dogs and more. Here is a sample of handcrafted, stuffed and glorious depictions from the animal world.

 Eva’s cats

Eva’s cats are magical. They elicit a smile from even the moodiest mall visitor!

Eva's cats

Those with a backache on a stool? Eva's cats will solve that back problem

Visit Eva’s cats website

Visit Eva’s cats facebook page

Namali Weerasinghe

When Namali first took part at ARTE markets, she was heavily into embroidery. Needle Craft Heaven was born.   Over the next few years, we were lucky to see her kiddie collection with the ballet tutu line, called the Little Princess Collection.

Dulani Lakmali

Her sock monkeys under the brand name of Sandustar Socks Toys created a rage the first time they were displayed at ARTE.  To this day, they continue to cause the usual furor so often seen in the monkey world, with the sock monkeys sitting coyly in the trees, or swinging about aimlessly.  The main ingredient of the Sandustar sock monkeys is, as the name depicts, socks!

Other sock toys are available like this sock elephant.

Jolly Good Products by Jo Catton

We have seen Jo Catton dogs at ARTE. Sadly, we can’t locate them. Can anyone help? Thanks!

Mummy’s No. 1 Inspiration

Bahraini-born, Mona Al-Alawi is the lucky mother of a beautiful little girl who is also the inspiration behind her baby accessories line, The.Little.Lady.

Mona Al-Alawi with her daughter

Specializing in handmade hair accessories for little ones, her collection currently ranges from hair clips & hair bands to luxurious ribbons & sashes, specifically made for a baby or toddler’s fine and wispy hair. Mona makes it a point to keep an eye on high street trends and tries to make sure that her designs compliment the seasonal clothing ranges in the local shops.

When creating her unique one-of-a-kind pieces, Mona takes extra care to ensure that each item is safe for babies. This entails making sure that all embellishments are firmly secured using non-toxic glue, and lead free materials. On occasions, these accessories could make it to a child’s mouth, so she makes sure that the parts are not going to easily come free, posing a choking hazard, or that any of the components used could make a child sick.

A customer visits The.Little.Lady booth at the ARTE Market

A happy customer

To learn more about Mona and her cute line of baby accessories visit The.Little.Lady facebook page or just drop by her booth at the next ARTE Market in Festival Centre and Times Square Center.