Eve ‘N’ Ella Designs

Meet the Makers behind Eve ‘N’ Ella Designs

Clare, Dom and their 9-year-old twin girls, Lily Eve and Ella Faith are wire-wrappers who like to create wearable works of art. Their tag line is: “We help you wear your healing crystals with style, because everyone needs a little sparkle in their life!”

It started with a mission to keep the kids off the iPad, and it mushroomed from there. Soon their house was full of gemstones, wire and all manner of shiny things!

Why do you love ARTE?

First and foremost, ARTE has a family-type atmosphere. The warm, welcoming attitude and the friendly faces with everyone supporting each other.

ARTE is a community which is a veritable melting pot of talent and culture reflected in everyone’s unique art, which is something we feel very fortunate for.

When did you discover your passion for your artisan’s work?

Dom and I have always been attracted to stones and crystals since we were children. However, living on opposite sides of the world meant we both had interesting and very different collections of rocks.

The creativity only started to flow after we had the girls; now, they both dream of being designers. They love sewing, designing, drawing, painting, pottery, wire-wrapping – you name it!

Some of the wire designs are created from Lily and Ella sketching out their ideas for a pendant. Then sit with their daddy while twisting wires this way and that to bring the design to life.

Pendant design by Eve ‘N’ Ella Designs

Who or what is your inspiration?

Creativity came from our parents. Dom and I come from similar backgrounds and consider ourselves “expat brats”. Our parents extensively travelled the world when air travel was still a relatively luxurious concept, and the Internet was a 60’s sci-fi fiction movie!

They had to learn to be creative to adapt to their surroundings, perhaps inadvertently passed on to us. Consequently, we have always been influenced by a variety of cultures and experiences we try to incorporate into our work.

We’re fascinated by medieval Renaissance fairs, crystals and various medians from fabrics, wood, leather and, of course, metals.

The list is countless, as well as an obsession with metal smithing (which we are only beginning to explore). We take inspiration from everyone we meet. We enjoy the challenge and the reward of making something we consider beautiful that someone may treasure for many years.

What is your favourite piece of work that you have crafted?

Our favourite piece would have to be one we made for a friend leaving Dubai. We started and wanted to give her something unique so that she could remember Dubai. We made a rather rudimentary turquoise necklace and a bracelet wrapped with beads and shells collected from the beaches of Dubai.

We have changed a bit since then and are fully absorbed in our present jewellery collection.

Eve ‘N’ Ella Designs

What is your trick to make the sale?

Our approach is genuine, and we consider our customers’ needs carefully. We want the client to leave our table with a piece they will love for years and wear with joy. So we go the extra mile.

What is your best seller, and what are you known for in the artisan community?

We are known for our friendly attitude, cheerful disposition, the team of four, and beautiful wire-wrapped jewellery collection. We customize jewellery, and every market day, you can find us with our wire and stones, ready to breathe life into your jewellery with the design of your dreams.

Our 4Kids by Kids selection of bracelets and necklaces are created entirely by the girls and was their idea, which obviously, as parents, has us beaming with pride. It’s also one of our most popular sellers.

What does your artisan’s work really mean to you? Is it a business, pleasure or passion?
We’re all immensely proud of what we have achieved together as a family. It is extremely rewarding. The passion is a bit of an obsession.

What are you working on at the moment? Do you have any new projects coming up?

At the moment, we are creating Christmas-inspired pieces. It has been fun to explore the festive colours and investigate ways to push the traditional boundaries of wire wrapping Christmas. As a result, we now have Christmas decorations, and some statement pieces and delicate necklace sets.

Christmas design by

We are slowly working on our webpage and exploring all the requirements for online sales for when Eve’ N’ Ella Designs go global.

Who or what at ARTE do you like or admire?

The sense of community and camaraderie that ARTE fosters is beautiful. We feel fortunate to have been adopted into the ARTE crew. We admire every artisan, from their individual talent, passion, drive and dizzying collective array of gorgeous goods.

Everything everyone does is entirely handcrafted, which is what unites us and is unique and almost magical in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world.

ARTE is fundamentally as wonderful as it is because of the people behind the scenes. The amazing ARTE team is second-to-none, helpful, supportive and motivating. A special mention to Miriam individually. She is fantastic. Her calming, nurturing, kind spirit and the invaluable experience she willingly shares set the tone for the family atmosphere we love at ARTE.

Eve ‘N’ Ella Designs

Special Message from Lily Eve and Ella Faith

Lily: “Our jewellery company is Eve ‘N’ Ella. It’s our family company, made up of me, my sister and our mummy and daddy. We sell truly remarkable jewellery. Although it takes a very long time to make, it’s very rewarding to create something people like, and it makes me smile to see we are making people happy and making some money to help our family too”.

Ella: “We make and sell beautiful jewellery. One glimpse of it, and you are hypnotized!”

This fabulous foursome sell their unique wire-wrapped jewellery  at the ARTE Market in Times Square Center and Mercato Mall most Saturdays. Make sure to stop by and grab your very own piece of sparkle.

If you would like to learn more, follow or order from Eve ‘N’ Ella here are their contact details:
IG: @evenelladesigns
FB: evenelladesigns
Whatsapp: +971 54 401 4410
EMAIL: clarejmasterman@gmail.com
Their website will be launched shortly. Keep an eye on their Social Media.

Jemila – Creator of Shabalicious Bakes

Jemila Mahmood-Shaba is a successful corporate career woman who decided to swap meetings and calendars for baking and sweet treats! And oh boy, are we happy she did.

Jemila at ARTE The Makers' Marlet

Her much-loved Brownies with a Twist and Brownies with a Nutty Twist are such crowd-pleasers and very dear to her as it’s taken her years to perfect the recipe.

Between taking care of her two toddlers, she creates indulgent comfort bakes, does catering and pops by ARTE to ensure we’re loaded with joy!

Why do you love ARTE?

What’s not to love about ARTE! I just love everything that ARTE embodies. The community spirit, the camaraderie and just the overall ambience of the event. When I became a part of the market, I didn’t know what to expect as I had never done a market before.

I was made to feel welcome by the ARTE team and my fellow vendors who have now become friends. The ARTE community really is amazing, and I am glad to be a part of it.

When did you discover your passion for your artisan’s work?

I have always had a love for food and a passion for cooking. I grew up watching cooking and baking shows and I would get so excited with every show. Cooking came naturally for me but baking that I discovered at a later stage. I was always intrigued with the chemistry of how different components (ingredients) complimented each other. Being able to create something beautiful from a simple ingredient was always something I loved.

I’m literally always thinking about ingredients and how to create dishes and bakes. I remember being told once by a friend that it was obsessive to think about food this much. I’ve come to realise that it wasn’t an obsession but passion (well maybe a little bit of obsessions too lol).

Before I create a bake, I literally bake it in my mind. I start off with the ingredients, I work through how each component/flavour would work together, and I envision what the finished bake would taste and look like. This thought would literally go through my mind till I bake the product.

There is nothing more beautiful when the result is exactly as I envisioned it. There are times when I wake up in the middle of the night with an idea for a new flavour or bake and I jot it down and go back to sleep. I literally combine flavours in my mind all the time.

How did you get where you are now?

It’s interesting because I had suppressed my culinary passion for years to be on what society deemed the “right path” and that was going to university and getting a degree, then jumping into corporates and you know how it goes. I have been able to build a successful career in corporates for the last 15 years and I had opportunities in the past to pursue my culinary dream but always turned it down.

Later in my career, I realised I was reaching burnout point and even though I was earning well I was still not getting that fulfilment. I enrolled myself in culinary school and started taking classes on weekends while I still had my corporate job. It became my escape and every weekend I would look forward to my class even though that meant not having a weekend to just relax as it was a 9am start and a full day. At the end of each class, I would be filled with so much joy with what I create that day and I just knew I had to do something about this but didn’t know where or how to start.

I quit my corporate job to be a stay-at-home mum, but it didn’t mean giving up on corporate completely. A few months later covid hit and with lockdown I somehow tapped more into my creative side, started baking more and experimenting with recipes. I then did the unthinkable and started posting my bakes which was daunting at first, but then the most surprising thing happened with people willing to pay for my bakes and the rest is baking history.

What or Who is your inspiration?

My inspiration is my grandmother (may her soul rest in peace). And no, she wasn’t someone that ever stepped into a kitchen or cooked/baked lol, but I loved her entrepreneurial spirit and drive to succeed. I would say the women in my family get that drive from her.

She was the epitome of a matriarch who built an empire in a time when women were not easily able to do so, and she was able to create successful businesses that she would later pass on to her own children. My wish in everything I do is to make my kids proud of me and I would love to be their inspiration, role model and hope they admire my journey.

What is your favorite piece of work that you have created?

It has to be my brownies!!! Boy of boy do we have a history! Haha! I’ve always loved brownies and wherever I would go I would always order brownies but could never find a brownie that was amazing (till I created my own, toot toot lol). It was only natural that when I embarked on my baking journey the first challenge I set myself was to make brownies.

The first one I made was a chilli orange brownie for a friend’s birthday which went down a treat! Still, I personally wasn’t satisfied with the recipe, and it would take me years of trial and error to create my brownies with and without the twist which is now so loved by others.

What is your trick to make the sale?

I would like to know that too! Haha, for me I just enjoy connecting with people who love a good treat just as much as I do, and I guess this is my customer base. When I have a customer in front of me, we literally go on an indulging journey together and its such a beautiful thing! Those who appreciate a good bake made with quality ingredients are my people.

What is your best seller, what are you known for in the artisans’ community?

It depends on who you ask but I’d say between my gourmet brownies, walnut coffee cake and gourmet cookies. Interesting fact about my walnut coffee cake is that there is no coffee inside. It is called a coffee cake because of its texture, and it pairs well with coffee or tea.

My brownies, apart from being just the right amount of fudgy deliciousness, I think people love the flavour of the twist and you just must try it to know. When it comes to my cookies, they’re just everything you’d want in a cookie and more.

To get a compliment from a New Yorker that my cookies remind her of home or when I’m told it’s up there with the best of them is just mind blowing. I’m truly so humbled by how my bakes have been received.

 

What does your artisan’s work really mean to you? Is it business, pleasure, passion?

All the above! I get so much joy from creating recipes, it warms my heart truly to see how people enjoy my bakes, and of course let’s be honest could anything be better than making a profit from what you absolutely love to do! The best part of what I do is when those who have tried my bakes describe the experience just how I imagined, or describe the texture and flavours in such a beautiful way.

What are you working on at the moment? Do you have any new projects coming up?

I am currently in the process of launching my website which I am excited about. I also have a couple of things I’m working on for Shabalicious Bakes that will be announced in due time. I have big plans and hope to make Shabalicious Bakes a household name in shaa Allah. I’m dreaming worldwide baby! lol

Who or what at ARTE do you like or admire?

I admire my fellow vendors who have the drive and passion for what they do. It really is a beautiful thing to connect with such creative minds. Truly I’m inspired by so many of them. I also admire the motivation from the ARTE team onsite and online too.

Can I also be biased and say I admire Miriam. She just has a way about her that makes you feel at ease. She is always on hand for a pep talk and just a great motivator.

Do you use any unusual, or special materials in your product?

 

The French call it “Je ne sais quoi”, I call it my Shabalicious touch! I put my love and passion into my bakes. This starts from the quality of the ingredients i.e where I source my chocolates, to the quality of butter etc which makes a world of difference to creating a great bake.

When I embarked on my baking journey, one of my motivations was to create bakes that had good quality ingredients as it’s always been important to me what I consume, so I want that for my customers too.

Jemila sells her delicious treats at the ARTE Market in Times Square Center every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. Make sure to stop by and grab a brownie.

If you would like to learn more, follow or order from Jemila here are her contact details:
IG: @Shabaliciousbakes
FB: Shabalicious Bakes
EMAIL: Shabaliciousbakes@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +971 553865298
Website: www.shabaliciousbakes.com

Stockings Full of Christmas Gift Ideas at ARTE

It’s that time of the year again… Think fluffy clouds, stunning sunsets and Christmas markets!

The lead up to Christmas at ARTE, the Makers Market sees the cogs churning and the workshops whirring as real-life elves dig deep into their Santa sacks of magic, creativity and skill for the best handmade products the UAE has to offer. Deep within the grottos of Dubai, you’ll find our busy makers cold-pressing nut butter, hot pressing fabric designs, fiddling with wires, beads and threads, merino wool and silk fibres, all to the sound of distant knitting needles clicking, paper mache sticking, gasps of awe and wows of wonder.

What better way to celebrate, than by gifting years of experience, craftsmanship and unique bespoke pieces to the people you love on your gift list?

ARTE’S STOCKING FILLER GIFT IDEAS

There’s a known saying that ‘good things come in small packages’ and our Artisans of the Emirates at ARTE have spent hours-upon-hours to prove that true. You can put them under your Christmas tree or slip them in a stocking; these unique handcrafted gifts are the perfect pieces for those who have everything and a must-have for everyone in between.

The Warm Up – Christmas Decorations

emirati christmas ornamentsJodie Art Framing – Tree Ornaments

Typical is an obsolete word at our markets, from art to ornament there’s a story of significance.

Our savvy Art and Framing Consultant, Jodie Cummins, has created these cute and crafty Emirati men and women tree ornaments, making your home the envy of the palaces.

If you’re lucky, you might just see her mastery in process at one of our upcoming Christmas markets.

 

christmas camelsDawn Southern – Christmas Camels

As old and gold as the nativity scene itself, camels have featured as the bearers of great gifts throughout our festive history. Just as legendary, Christmas camels have become a UAE tradition that’s been running with the same group of ladies for over 15 years.

These wooden camel templates form their own unique features – from the gorgeous camels’ lashes to their brightest coloured saddlebags… all by hand using acrylic paints. A great Christmas tree decoration that can be gifted, hung and even personalised.

luna mora - fun feltLuna Mora – Fun felt

Perhaps your tree needs a new fairy, or your fairy a new tree? Luna Mora’s designs are a true labour of love with some of these timeless pieces taking up to 25 hours to make.

Find your Christmas decoration that barely sees a box from her stall at ARTE.

Gifts for HER or HIM

personalised embroideryTread Threads – Keyrings/Bookmarks & Personalised Embroidery

Whilst Santa awaits his cookies and Rudolph his carrot, a Christmas dinner in Dubai might see tables laid with a roast, or a Christmas day brunch BBQ fired feast.

Here’s a stocking filler that can be rolled up and strategically given as a nudge to the man of the house, to do what he claims to do best, and get grilling for a Christmas day filling.

These aprons make the perfect personalised gift for him. Keep an eye out on the Tread Threads table for personalised bookmarks and other teacher’s gift ideas.

jewellery giftRaphaeilo Accessories – Jewellery

A go-to gift with a difference – jewellery! So (men), for once, don’t go trying to fix what isn’t broken and get her something sure to wow with a statement piece of jewellery from Raphaello Accessories.

Many of their items are handcrafted in lightweight silver and coated in gold leaf making them incredibly comfy to wear.

 

Gift Ideas for the Littlest Stockings

handmade knitted dollsMarjan and Bahar – Corals Handmade

The sister duo Marjan & Bahar have 16 years of knitting under their belts which have perfected their bestselling topsy-turvy dolls and unicorns.

Keep them in the stocking, safely tucked-in the night before Christmas to bring as many years of joy for your little one.

For The cherished Pet

Sassy Pepet accessoriestshop, Pet Accessories

Leaving no one out at ARTE, The Sassy Petshop’s wonderful array of pet paraphernalia may just be the perfect way to say thank you and include the most loved member of the family (we won’t tell the kids) into the festivities.

We love this Christmas themed dog collar but she also has some pretty cool personalised pet gifts too!

 

Housewarming Gift

housewarming giftSAANTÉ – AROMATHERAPY FOR YOUR BODY, MIND AND SOUL.

The holiday season equals celebrations, invitations, food and merriment. Turn up with your arms open and your bags full with a housewarming gift that will literally warm the house.

Saanté makes the most deliciously smelling natural Beeswax & Essential Oils candles, soaps, creams, lotions & potions and they even stock White Sage to burn for ridding the nasties so that there’s only room for nice on the list – although that one may send the wrong message as a housewarming gift.

hearti grubArti – Hearti Grub

Great to take as a thank you or as a stocking-sized alternative to the Christmas orange are any of Hearti Grub’s exclusive festive granola and nut butterfestive gift boxes.

Using premium quality organic and GMO-free nuts through a cold-pressed technique that retains the nutritional value of the nut oil puts all of her products appropriately on the nice list.

Gifts For One & All

pop-up cardsKelly – Abra Pop-up Cards

The fantastical genius Kelly at Abra Cards, hand makes her whole collection and they’re truly magical! She currently has some new ones that are the perfect tree accompaniments to your stocking fillers, for a Christmas in Dubai filled with family tradition.

Check them out at our next Makers Market – She’s doing special batch deals.

 

personalised santa sacksNicola – Framed with Love

An all-round creative by nature and a self-professed Christmas enthusiast can mean only one thing – oodles of festive treasures by Nicola of Framed with Love.

We’re loving the personalised Santa Sacks and have our eyes set upon her cushions and Dubai-alternative to the Christmas jumper – Christmas T-shirt designs.

Shireen – Rare Find

As somebody that only sells what she loves, knowing that love, in essence, is universal, Shireen of Rare Find spends hours of doodling, sketching, painting and perfecting until her designs are ready for purchase.

You may have admired her hamsa & burqa prints at ARTE before and can be yours or a special someone’s at any of ARTE’s forthcoming Christmas markets coming up.

 

Arte’s Christmas Markets For the Diary:

  1. D3 | Dubai Design District, 12th December – Between buildings 2 & 4, 11am to 7pm.
  2. TSC | Times Square Center, 13th December, 10am – 6 pm.
  3. QE2 | Queen Elisabeth , 14th December, 9am – 5pm – Mina Rashid Marina, Port Rashid.

Click here! To check out our Facebook page for more Christmas gift hints and ideas and our events calendar and workshops to come.

SEWING HOPE

A community sewing event to help Syrian refugees

BROTHER INTERNATIONAL GULF (FZE), an imaging and printing solutions provider, will be sponsoring a sewing oriented community CSR event on the Friday 26th October 2018 from 11AM to 6PM in aid of Syrian refugee children. The event is held in partnership with ARTE, The Makers’ Market and Times Square Center, Dubai.

The event has been developed to involve the wider community in the UAE, which include Brother staff, volunteers, sewists and the general public to help sew as many children’s winter clothing as possible that will benefit the Syrian refugee children.

It will be a full day of fun activities designed to involve the whole family. Throughout the day, visitors will spend time connecting with each other, participating in the CSR initiative and entertainment, as well as celebrate the spirit of giving, kindness and love embodied by the Year of Zayed.

Soichi Murakami, Managing Director, BROTHER INTERNATIONAL (GULF) FZE, said: “As a company,we are always on the lookout for CSR initiatives that work for the greater good of the disadvantaged or marginalised communities. “Sewing Hope” is such a cause-worthy event that has been designed to encourage involvement from the community in the UAE. I cordially invite UAE residents and visitors to come and support so we can work collaboratively to make a positive difference. I also take this opportunity to recognise our preferred implementation partner, SKILLS3 – a social enterprise which is making a major positive difference to women across the MENA region. We are looking forward to a day of giving and sharing.”

You are invited to join Brother ‘Sewing Hope’ to come together to sew winter clothing for Syrian refugee children.

This event is for sewists and non-sewists alike. Grab a friend and come down and use your skills to make a difference. .

The sign-up is now officially open and book your activity slot immediately

Sign up here: http://signup.com/go/UutZXmD

Shilpa – Henna Musings and ARTE

Henna Musings, a thoughtful collection of gorgeous designs which represent the UAE and Dubai. When we think of henna, we think the beautiful, intricate patterns that are created on the hands and feet of woman. Yet, these images are fleeting. Not, Henna Musings designs, Shilpa has created everlasting henna creations on candles. These lovely candles make wonderful gifts and amazing decorations for any home.

It is however, with a heavy heart that we tell her story today… as always Dubai is a transient city and Shilpa will be heading on to new adventures. We wish Shilpa all the best and know that she will be deeply missed at our markets.

Shilpa will be at ARTE in Times Square Center this Friday, 9 March from 10am to 6pm. Please join us in saying farewell and don’t forget to stock up on her Henna Musing Candles.

Shilpa’s Journey with arte

When I moved to Dubai in 2012, I had no idea about the great handmade art markets that Dubai had to offer. I have always loved to try my hand at new things from painting to paper quilling to baking. One fine day, I decided to explore the art of henna candles. The art of henna painting on hands is something that everyone links to Dubai and I found the thought of henna candles fascinating because it took the art to the next level i.e. taking something that is so delicate and transforming it to a permanent art work. 

It started off as a casual thing and then I decided to exhibit at ARTE in September 2013. I was delighted to find a platform to take my hobby to a commercial level. Nervous yet excited…..my first market didn’t go as well as I expected though the appreciation I received felt great. But my lovely neighbor at the market, Diana, who used to sell camel milk soaps encouraged me to not give up. I am glad she did and I am super thankful to her….as after the first market, there was no looking back! Such is our ARTE community….everyone is always happy to help each other.

Over the past 4 and a half years that I have been with ARTE, I met some very lovely people….fellow vendors and some super happy customers who I proudly call friends now. I have some customers from my very first few markets who still come to buy the candles for gifts and then there are others, who’ve never bought candles but have always stopped and appreciated my art over and over again. It feels great to know that my candles have reached various parts of the world as Dubai souvenirs.

Thank you ARTE for this wonderful opportunity! Miriam & Stephen, you are doing a great job giving people a platform to explore their talents & take their art to the people!  

I will miss being part of this lovely community but I will always treasure these beautiful memories.

Best Wishes to all at ARTE,

Shilpa

Henna Musings

Shireen McGurn – Truly a Rare Find

The sign says: “No sales pitch, if you’re not crazy in love with it, please say no and walk away.’ and she means it. Shireen is hardworking, honest, straight to the point and very gifted. She is one of the quiet ones at ARTE but don’t let that fool you. She is super talented and highly supportive of hand created in the UAE and her fun loving attitude bubbles with energy.

We had a little chat with her and discover her passion for ART, why she loves ARTE, the Makers’ Market and why she creates.

Meet Shireen McGurn

Why do you love ARTE?
I can sell what I truly love making. It is the best platform for my creative ideas.

When did you discover your passion for your artisan’s work?
The minute I could doodle.

How did you get where you are now?
People asked to buy things that I made.

What or Who is your inspiration?
Inspiration is not a set thing. Everything, all around, people I meet, artists, children. Sources of inspiration are ever changing.

What is your favorite piece of work that you have created?
The Camel Dubai.

What is your trick to make the sale?
No tricks. I’m honest and open with customers. I’ve even told customers to return products if they change their mind. These are my creations, why would I want someone to keep something I’ve put my heart into, that they don’t really want it.

What is your best seller, what are you known for in the artisans’ community?
People know me for my artwork and signs. The artworks are unique Dubai pieces. The signs are fun and make people laugh and that’s why most people stop to look.

What does your artisan’s work really mean to you? Is it business, pleasure, passion?
It’s my business but it comes from passion and a need to create.

I always say: “I’m one big creative mess.”

What are you working on at the moment? Do you have any new projects coming up?
I’m working on new artworks to go with my Camel Dubai.

Who or what at ARTE do you like or admire?
I love true handmade products. ARTE is the one market that believes in true artisans. All the vendors with their original ideas inspire me. I love seeing their ideas come to life.

Do you use any unusual, or special materials in your product?
Not really, I make things from materials I have around me, I always have.

Which part of your work do you enjoy the most, the design part, the finding of materials, the combining of colours, the marketing, the packaging, the selling?
I love the undistracted moments of being creative. Getting engrossed in a project, painting, working on a piece of jewellery. I also enjoy meeting people at ARTE, seeing reactions and hearing people’s stories. Where else would you come across such a wide cross-section of people?

Shireen is truly a rare find and you should pop into the ARTE market and discover her amazing talent and friendly personality. Her signs will make you giggle, her work will take your breath away and you will be better for meeting this talented creative.

Meet Shireen at the ARTE Market:

Dubai British School on 13th December 2017
Mercato Mall on Friday 15th December 2017
Times Square Center on Friday 22nd December 2017

Find her on Social Media:

Facebook – @RareFinddxb
Instagram – @Rarefind99

ARTE, the Makers’ Market is the UAE’s largest, hand created market which also includes an exclusive vintage section. Make sure you follow our events page HERE for all our next markets.

Rehab Barrag – Candle Maker

Rehab Barrag, an interior designer who rarely had the chance to practice in her field due to the frequent moves across the globe, found her passion for hollow candles 3 years ago when her children started to grow up allowing her more time for her hobby.
Rehab is ​a ​self taught​ artisan​ because only limited technique information is available and so she learned​ her hobby​ from ​many ​time​-consuming experiments at home that finally lead to her making beautiful hollow candles.

Rehab’s hollow candles are lit by a tea light​, rather than by the candle’s own wick, preserving the hollow candles forever.

The candle making has given Rehab a focus in her day ​for ​when the family is away at school or traveling the world for work.

Her candle making passion is growing every time with another candle made to gift to a special friend​. Rehab’s candles are available at the ARTE​, The Makers’ Market events.

Some candles take several days to accomplish, often up to a week. It begins planning the shape and then it is personalised for the occassion wether this is a family momento, or a seasonal inspiration.Rehab can spend 6 to 7 hours a day working on her creations.

Rehab loves the feedback from the beautiful people that ​she​ meet​s​ at the markets ​and engaging with them as ​they admire her unusual work.

The prices for hollow candles range from AED 150 to AED 500.

Please contact Rehab on rehabbarrag@icloud.com and find her at the ARTE events, check out our calendar www.arte.ae/calendar/.

ARTE’s Success Stories

The Camel Soap Factory’s Journey with ARTE

Five years ago, traveling through Australia, my husband and I came across a little treasure of a place called The Natural Olive Oil Soap Factory. Set in the Western Aussie bush, it had a retail outlet and factory where visitors could see the soap being made, and buy locally made products and produce. I came home with a dream for Dubai!

My first steps were to learn to make soap. Not much in my background in payments software had prepared me for this. I found a course in London and met my soap mentor and guide, Melinda Coss, without whom the factory might not have happened as quickly. Paying somebody every month certainly focus’s the mind.

Next was learning how to make soap with camel milk. There are not too many books on the subject. I thought I would attend two school fairs that Christmas. I never made it to the second one after we sold all our stock at the first.

That’s when I decided I needed to dream a little bigger and faster.

But I realized that moving into bigger and different markets meant that I was going to need a license. Initially I was allowed to manufacture from home under a trading license but as we got bigger I needed to get a full industrial license. We now have a factory situated in the heart of Dubai and export across the globe.

Without Arte, it would have been impossible for me to get the business off the ground.

Selling at ARTE, The Makers Market helped me refine my product and learn more about our wonderful customers who buy our soaps. It allowed me to gather market intelligence, work out what sold and what didn’t. It allowed me to start to build cash to invest in growing the business. And most of all I made the most wonderful friends among the other ARTE vendors. Friends who have left the UAE, and now sell our soaps as distributors in other parts of the world.

Thank you ARTE, we are deeply grateful.

Stevie Lomass is the founder and creator of The Camel Soap Factory in Dubai.

If you are an artist or artisan that makes handmade items in the UAE and would like more information about becoming a vendor at the ARTE Markets, contact us via email – info@arte.ae or read our section Book a Table for more information.

Don’t miss the next ARTE, The Makers Market!
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The Best Gifts for Mother’s Day

Spoil Mom this Mother’s Day with a unique, handmade gift.

Mother’s Day is that special time that we can show our Moms how much we love and appreciate them. ARTE has chosen the best hand made, one-of-a-kind gifts that your Mom is going to love and you will definitely be voted as the Child of the Year.

The Holistic shop

The Holistic Shop creates crystal healing art and these rose quarts hearts and planters is specially made to show your unconditional love for Mom.

Agate handmade Jewelries

Gorgeous handmade fashion jewellery and accessories made with a variety of products including, gemstones ,beads ,brass and copper.

Desert Patch

Mom loves when you put effort into the gifts that you give. Join Desert Patch and create your own unique decoupage hearts that Mom will treasure forever.

pictoresca design

Lina Saurez will create your custom pillow filled with special memories of you and Mom.

Deseneros

Make sure your Mom rocks her jewels with a signature piece from Deseneros!

H makes bags

Handmade bags made by Heather, using a combination of new, vintage and recycled fabrics.
Grab one of the  Burqa sisters and spoil Mom.

Ups designs by Upasana kapoor

Her handmade abstract journals ,feather bookmarks and cute jute or brocade bag will definitely make your Mom smile.

Jewellery by Leah

Pure silver personalised jewellery from bracelets and necklace pendants. Children’s hand prints, footprints and drawings can be incorporated on to the jewellery to make gifts and keepsakes perfect for Mother’s Day.

Handy-Craftz & Artz

A beautiful union of candles and the traditional art of henna.These elegant candles are hand-painted with natural henna paste and will look lovely in any home.

Audrey’s Cat

Vintage Moms will be delighted with any of Lynda Kirby’s vintage collection items. Jewellery, clothing or even a stylish hat that she can wear to the Horse races later this month, will make her day.

Inkycamel

Each picture is handmade to order and with a pattern of Arabic letters and numbers. Spell out your Love for Mom.

Handlettered by lama

Fantastic cups that lets Mom know how special she is to you.

Arlene’s Dreamcatchers

Make sure Mom gets a good nights rest with one of these lovely hand created dream catchers. Make sure you chat the Arlene to get a customized item that will be as unique as your Mom.

Blooming Basket

Real preserved flowers from Blooming Basket has under gone a preservation process which allows the flower freshness and suppleness to be kept for a long time without losing its beauty. A flower that lasts.

If you have forgotten about the most important woman in your life, make sure to join us at the ARTE Market , Friday 17th March at Mercato Mall and Friday, 24th March at Times Square Center to find your perfect Mother’s Day gift.

We would like to wish all our special ARTE Moms a very Happy Mother’s Day. We appreciate your hard work and dedication.

Don’t miss the next ARTE, The Makers Market!
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Check out our next market www.facebook.com/arte/events

ARTE’s Artists

Moonberry Studios by Lene

March is the month of horse racing, art and literature in Dubai which makes me want to race on down to ARTE at Times Square, tomorrow, Friday, March 10, 2017. Do not forget our new hours: 10am – 6pm.  Looking for that special hat to wear to the races or a gift to share with your favourite jockey? Than ARTE is the place to be! Remember, our artists make what they sell and everything is handmade with love in the UAE. Plus, look out for ARTE this weekend at the Emirates Literature festival.

This week’s ARTE artist is Lene of Moonberry Studios

(Instagram: Moonberry_Studios, Facebook: Moonberry Studios1, e-mail: Lenepieters@gmail.com)

Lene is originally from South Africa, but has been living in the UAE since 2005. Lene’s first ARTE market was in 2008. Shortly after her first market, Lene learned that she was pregnant with her first child. Lene decided ARTE would have to wait.  Today,  Lene  has two beautiful children who inspire her art work everyday.  In 2015, Lene decided to return to ARTE and she’s been with us ever since.

I asked Lene how she became involved with card making and she told me that one day she saw a page with a rose and writing on it. She loved it so much that she started talking to the artist, who introduced her to scrapbooking. Lene was hooked!

My photos do not do justice to her beautiful work. Lene creates each of her designs by hand. There is a great amount of love and care that goes into each card.

Lene believes in quality over quantity. A card is just as important as an art piece. This is why she uses pigment inks which are not heat dried. They take longer to dry but, are worth the wait.

She cuts out her images by hand, as well as using the latest embossing techniques.

Plus, Lene’s work is environmentally friendly, as she uses recycled books and paper to create her gorgeous cards.

Lene’s cards are perfect for holidays.  With Easter and St. Patrick’s day right around the corner, (and don’t forget all those birthdays!) you must come and check out her latest cards at ARTE.

Lene also handcrafts the most adorable gift tags.

for any occasion:

They even make great bookmarks:

Although Lene, loves making her cards, her true passion is mixed media. In 2008, Lene was a finalist in the Red Bull art show. When you visit Lene’s table, you will also see her art pieces for sale.

Lene describes her art as “historic ephemera”. She uses items from the past which would normally have a short term use like tickets to a movie, and transforms them into something beautiful. Here is an example:

If you look closely, you will see tickets. These tickets are from the 1970s. Originally, they were used to raise money for a trip to the fresh water angling world championships in Europe.

In this piece, Lene has taken pieces that her grandmother crocheted and incorporated them in her art. Lene feels that art is a way to connect our pasts and futures. If you are interested in learning more about her mixed media pieces or if you are interested in taking a morning mixed media art class, for adults only, Please stop by Lene’s table at ARTE for a chat.

Don’t miss the next ARTE, The Makers Market!
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Check out our next market www.facebook.com/arte/events