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.

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.

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.

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