Make no bones about it; the skull trend is here to stay! Popularized by Alexander McQueen, the once gothic omens have been transformed into chic accessories and prints to give any outfit a chic and/or rock edge. At ARTE, Skulls have been embraced by several artisans creating fashion and jewellery to clothing and home decor.
Category: Jewelry & Fashion
Handmade Gifts for Men
We don’t know about you, but we find it notoriously hard to buy gifts for the special men in our lives. If there’s no one thing in particular that springs to mind, our fail-safe advice is usually a package of little treats, things to make him laugh, and useful objects. It’s a great solution and you can mix-and-match to fit the big guy’s personality.
What’s your guy’s personality? Dapper, foodie, adventurer, sporty, musical or geeky, ARTE has a little something for everyone…
Touching lives – the late Alvin Apolonio
At ARTE, artisans come together not only to sell their handcrafts to the public, but also to support each other in one’s journey. Jan D’Sa, artist-designer-sculptor-writer and owner of both Janys De and the Cultural Arts Travelogue, has such a story to share.
“I was a repressed creative for nearly 20 years, allowing my sketches and paintings to be viewed by my own two eyes and no one else’s. I also threw my performing artist and musician garb into the metaphorical dark alley and retreated into my shell. I became a very shy and reserved person.” Those who know Jan since she joined ARTE in its early days may probably remember that shy girl.
Jan, instead, chose to showcase her creativity through secondary artforms, i.e. through writing, through salt dough mini-sculptures (below) and wire crochet jewelry making.
Painted Salt Dough sculptures by Jan D’sa, in 2006
Then one day in 2011, a Philipino artist by the name of Alvin Apolonio, showed up at ARTE with paintings that awoke a dormant artistic volcano within Jan. Like many repressed creatives, she was felt a lot of fear in painting again. “I decided to attend an art workshop that Alvin Apolonio held, in conjunction with Carrie Wareham, Black Sheep Art Studio (an ARTE member). It was just so that I could work past this block that I had.”
“I will never forget what Alvin told me as I started to use the paintbrush after 2 decades and struggled to hold it with confidence.” Alvin said, “I look forward to seeing your art. You have it in you. Just a bit of practice.””
Eight months later, this April 2012, Jan finally showed her art to the public for the first time at ARTE. Sadly, Alvin was not around to see it. He had passed away in the Philippines after a brief illness early this year.
“I was devastated as were many other artisans who regarded Alvin not only as a versatile painter and artist, but a friend. I had also experienced another artisan pass away a day after Alvin passed away (she was a jewelry designer), so the devastation of 2 creatives passing away was quite a strong experience.”
These days Jan has allowed her music and theatrical expression to show itself, though in small, monitored doses. She has also mustered courage to step out and give workshops in creative writing where the art of spontaneity and reconnection with one’s creative self are key. She has dared to create mixed media work where she combines various art and handcraft techniques such as wire work, crochet, acrylics, decoupage and clay. “All because Alvin reminded me that the secret to living more is by creating more.” Whenever Jan gets stuck as a creative, she remembers Alvin’s words and pushes beyond borders into the realm that only other former repressed creatives know of.
Visit Janys De website (to be revamped soon), Janys De blog, and Janys De facebook page.
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Has an artisan changed your life beyond what you expected? Let us know how and you could be featured.
Sizzle with Ra’Dazzle
Sometimes two heads are better than one. And that’s what happened in the case of the Ra’Dazzle gals, Rachna and Anjana. Their common interest in trying out jewelry making as a hobby led to them teaming up under the brand name Ra’Dazzle, jewelry created mainly from wire (by Rachna) and crochet (by Anjana).
The gals have been working together for six years now, but like many of the artisans, they have been separately involved in their own handcraft and artistic journey in the areas of crochet, knitting and card making.
Rachna says, “The process of creating something, from scratch, with your hands is pure joy. For me, crafting is similar to meditation – complete focus on the craft, while forgetting about everything that’s happening around (the good or the bad)!”
Rachna’s work involves a lot of wire wrapping work as be seen from the photos in this blog post. We asked her what are some of the pointers that she would like to share with us, considering that working with wire can be risky if the sharp ends are not neatly tucked away into the piece (among other risks).
Few pointers Rachna:
- Practice wire work on copper or craft wire initially as they’re a lot cheaper compared to sterling silver and gold-filled wires. You won’t feel guilty of throwing away all those trial pieces.
- Always file the ends of your wire work (after using a flush cutter) – you wouldn’t want the ends poking the customer wearing your jewellery.
- Invest in a nylon jaw chain nose pliers – this will prevent marks on your wire work and it is also good to straighten wire.
- Make sure you close your jump rings properly.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different wire gauges, shapes and hardness.
- Lots of patience is required
Join Ra’Dazzle on facebook.
Wrist Candy
For an instant wardrobe update this spring/summer 2012, all you need is some stunning chunky wrist-candy.
At ARTE, they come ranging from the sparkly Swarovski cuffs to some of spring’s most attention-grabbing and colourful bracelet. Each piece is an original and eye catching piece handcrafted by locally based artisans.
Keen on Bags and Oil Cloth
I (Jan) never knew what an oil cloth was till Carinne Abou-Huguet, Owner of Keen Bags, explained to me. The oil cloth is basically the plastic looking material that you see in most of the Keen bag products (note the shiny bits on the Keen bags in the photos below).
The Oil cloth actually keep the bags waterproof. Great idea if you are going to the beach or you live in a tropical climate (which thankfully the UAE is not, though a bit of rain doesn’t hurt in the winter months).
When asked why Keen Bags, Carinne mentioned that her mother used to call her Keen when she was a child. “And that’s how I decided to name my bags collection as KeenBags.”
Bags, wallets and pouches. Oilcloth, cotton, vinyl and velvet. Details for comfort and chic.
Keen Bags have their own workshop in Dubai, where you can visit to have your own bags customised.
Visit the facebook page of Keen Bags
A trip down memory lane with Sue Tyson Designs
Birds of a Feather
Thanks to Hollywood hipsters, such as Jessica Biel and Steven Tyler, the feather hair extension trend – often seen as colourful feathers that clip into the hair – has really taken flight and is quickly spreading worldwide.
Closer to home, 16-year-old ARTE member, Hannah, is showing fashionistas how a strand of feathers into your mane may be just what you need to get yourself prepped for a truly bohemian summer.
Safe, Beautiful and Colourful
All natural real feather extensions are the simple way to give your hair colour and life; they will not damage your hair like adding dye or highlights. They are the perfect way to change your hair with your mood or with the seasons because they are relatively inexpensive and easy to put in; your professional stylist can ensure they are put in properly so they last. When done properly, feather hair extensions can last for up to six months.
How to Wear It
Hannah says: Feather extensions can work with any hair length. If you have short hair, you can wear your extensions two different ways: the length of the feathers can extend past the length of your hair for a dramatic look. You can also cut the feathers to match your length & blend them into your hairstyle.
Low Maintenance
Made from natural feathers, you can treat these extensions just like your own hair. They are water-friendly and you can straighten it, curl it or blow dry it. So style them any way you like!
Hannah is a regular at our monthly ARTE market in Times Square Centre. For more info about Hannah’s Hair Feathers, email her directly.
Add a Little Sparkle to Your Life
Meet Laila Lambert, who brought to life her passion for crystals in 2006 when she founded Sparklefairy – the UAE’s first New Age online boutique, all things fairy, angel, handmade & crystals.
Her collection comprises of beautiful handmade angel & fairy jewellery for every occasion including angel callers, wish pendants, exclusive scared geometry jewellery as well as supplying a full range of crystals from giant geodes (up to 1 metre high) tumblestones, raw, clusters, wands, pendulums, very rare crystals, fossils MOLDAVITE & ORGONE. Angel/Oracle cards, unique natural incense (no synthetics) and so much more, she also does lovely ideas for wedding favours.
We especially love her Fertility Bracelet made from crystals have an innate energy to prepare the body for conception.
We asked: What crystals are in the Fertility Bracelet and why?
Laila said: I personally use Moonstone and Rose quartz. Many crystals can assist but from research these 2 crystals are most effective in my opinion. Moonstone is said to help aid in nurturing receptivity and balances emotions, moonstone also said to help welcome new life into the body. Moonstone is often called the Stone of the Goddess and symbolises acceptance and new beginnings. Moonstone may help with childbirth, conception and breast feeding. Rose quartz helps stabilize the energy inside the body. Provides one with love and self love. Rose quartz provides us with harmony and trust. The powerful combination of the rose quartz and moonstone is known to boost the woman’s fertility status. The energy from the Fertility bracelet works by balancing the energy in the body. It is calming, rids negative energy and reduces fears, also known to regulates menstrual cycle, improve blood circulation. As above.
We asked: How effective is it?
Laila said: We never say the fertility bracelet gets you pregnant, but it aids and working with energy is a lovely thing. Fertility Bracelets come from ancient traditions and still continue to be in use today, These days, a lot of women wear these types of bracelets for the very same reason that they were worn decades ago. Women will wear these gemstones because of tradition, out of belief or suggestion from family and friends, in order to improve their chances of getting pregnant.
For more info visit her facebook page or her website here: www.sparklefairy.com.
Craft Show Chic: Marie Arnaud
We really dig Marie Arnaud’s (of Noir Absinthe) super funky yet chic style. Visit her FB page to check out her amazing collection of jewellery and clothes.