Tag: ARTE

Have a hUmorki day

Aneta Dersley narrates how hUmorki (notice the capital U) starts with her daughter Amelia and her different moods. She takes the chance to make stuffed toys that also look sad or angry, something so unusually in stuffed toys.

At kindergarten Amelia couldn’t find any toys to play with. So Aneta came up with the idea to start sewing stuffed toys which encaptured various moods and various creatures that the world has probably never seen in such form.

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Amelia is the rigorous tester of all the handmade hUmorki toys by taking them on her own adventures in daily living, whether that be in her messy bedroom or on picnics. She has also named many of the toys, such as rabbit Jenny, Bobby, Peli and more.

Aneta feels inspired to create new hUmorki characters thanks to the people who appreciate the work done and the moods that the toys feature that resonate with the people’s hearts.

Visit hUmorki on facebook.

Meet our Soap-er Heroes

Handcrafted soap is a blend of both science and art. Whatever your needs, ARTE Markets features a number of soapmakers who offer natural chemical-free beauty & grooming options in a wide array of colours, scents, shapes, sizes and formulations designed for serious skin care. We asked a few of our regular soap-er heroes to share some secret skincare tips.

PAN Soaps by Nada Vukasovic

As one of the first soapmakers to join the ARTE fraternity, Nada Vukasovic is now fondly known at the ‘Papaya Lady’  – thanks to the amazing results reaped by customers who have regularly used her Papaya & Mango Papaya Soaps.

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Why should we choose natural handmade soap?

Nada explains, “Long ago soap companies began removing glycerin and other great natural soap ingredients to increase profits. This required the need to add other less “skin-friendly” chemicals. (Just try reading the ingredients label on your store purchased bar of soap.) This process made “soap” more detergent than true soap. We believe that nature, in its purest form, contains everything the skin needs to be radiant and healthy. We use only fresh natural ingredients in our original recipes. Our handmade products are made of pure organic ingredients. That is why our first choices are products from reliable local and international sources. Not only will you love the feel, you’ll find that true soap lasts MUCH longer than other ‘soap’.”

Nada recommends Papaya Soap

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“This soap bar is enriched with almond oil and fresh papaya juice. This soap is good for redness, acne, reduces and heals acne faster, reduces dark spots and gives a lighter tone to your skin. It is an all natural hand made soap free of artificial preservatives, colours and fragrances. It is miracle soap, our best one!”

Colibri Natural Beauty Care by Victoria Molnar

Victoria is one of the most recent soapmaker to join ARTE. It was her passion for solving health problem the way nature intended that she decided to create toxin-free, gentle & natural beauty products to make the skin feel soft and smooth while helping to retain it`s natural moisture.

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Why should we choose natural handmade soap?

Victoria explains, “Our skin is our largest organ and it will most definitely respond to the toxins we ingest from chemically overloaded commercially manufactured beauty care products. Our skin is not only the largest organ but the thinnest as well, which in turn, makes it the most permeable. What you put on your skin will be directly absorbed into your bloodstream and affect your health dramatically. My products heal and nourish and leave skin feeling smooth, soft, supple and looking great.”

Victoria recommends Lavender & Tea Tree Oil Body Butter

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“Lavender and tea tree oil are a power couple when it comes to healing problem, acne-prone, oily, and aging skin. Lavender oil is the one of the gentlest essential oils making it great to use for children and on sensitive skin. Combined with tea tree oil, they heal, protect and soothe the skin, regenerate and restore elasticity. Both these oils are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing. For skin problems like acne, eczema, dermatitis, and insect bites, this clean and fresh smelling body butter can be your best friend. No chemicals. No preservatives. No artificial colors. No fragrances.”

Desert Rose Handmade Soaps by Firuza Wragg

Firuza’s began creating bars of soap for a fun project to do with her children, but soon got addicted to the soapmaking process. When her recipes began building a demand, she jumped into the deep end and started my own business – that recently debuted at ARTE.

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Why should we choose natural handmade soap?

Firuza says, “Commercial soap manufacturers make it a practice to remove the glycerine that is produced during the saponification (soap-making) process. The glycerine is a highly profitable substance, often sold to other companies who use it to make lotions and moisturizers, which your skin, now dried out from the harsh detergent ‘soap,’ desperately needs. On the other hand, my handmade soaps are made with all natural ingredients which premium natural vegetable and essential oils. There is no water or filler. This makes for a very dense, longer lasting bar of soap. It feels as good in your hand as it does on your skin.”

Firuza recommends Beer & Coconut Milk Gourmet Soap

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“Seabuckthorn seed oil and fruit oil contain healing and softening fatty acids that nourish and replenish the skin. These oils improve skin conditions as rosacea, eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis; heal burns and reduce the associated pain; shrink small capillaries, even skin tone, reduce the effects of sun damage and provide minor UV protection. 100% Vegan, 100% Natural. Free of artificial colours.”

 

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

There’s Something about Mary’s Designs

Mary Falconer’s handmade clutches are one of the most coveted items at ARTE. These pieces exude classic feminine sophistication, with a dose of glamour to boot.

Without any formal training, and mostly self taught, Mary is the maker and talent behind the sewing machine, creating these colourful and trendy clutches, one design at a time.

Mary Falconer with one her handmade clutches

A stay at home mom of three children, she decided to give entrepreneurship a go. It has since turned into something more remarkable for her. Her business is something she looks forward to each day, and is a constant source of gratification.

“I strive for difference and oneness with my pieces. Finding materials and then finding ways to challenge the perceptions held by people about the boundaries of these materials is what drives me. I therefore embrace vibrant colours, intense prints and textures and fuse them together to create a unique and expressive design.”

Image courtesy of Mary Falconer Designs

“I really do enjoy both the creative aspect of dreaming up new things and the business side of making it all work. It is not an easy process and certainly not quick as one might think, but it is a wonderful experience when the end product works out and it can be enjoyed by my clients.”

Image courtesy of Mary Falconer Designs

“My goal as a designer is to create a brand that truly defined a woman; a brand that embodies all the qualities I see in them: Strength, Fun, Independence, Elegance and True Beauty…”

To learn more about Mary Falconer Design, join her on facebook  or visit her website: http://www.maryfalconerdesign.com

Image courtesy of Mary Falconer Designs

Artistry in Wood

We just love the rustic simplicity of these driftwood candle holders by Kariba Arts; so organic, beachy and simply beautiful.

It all began less than a year again when German national, Kathrin Rinner-Baudy, fell in love with uniquely-shaped bits of burnished driftwood, tossed ashore by the sea and tide.

Kathrin explains, “I have always admired the driftwood I saw on UAE beaches and so after months of seeing their beautiful shapes just lying there on the beach like rubbish, I decided to collect some to decorate my home. And that is how the idea was born!”

Kathrin’s process is simple: collecting the wood, sorting it by size & thickness, drying, cleaning and then just being creative.

She explains, “I like to consider driftwood as my muse and my medium. I usually choose pieces that stand out as natural sculptures or have the potential to become something more. And then I let the pieces tell me what they should be.”

Today, Kariba Arts is a regular at ARTE, and had already built a large base of regular clients and fans, who enjoying visiting her every month to see her latest creations.

Visit Kariba Arts on facebook or email Kathrin here.

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…

Handmade Model Railways By Model Railways UAE

Handmade Mugs by Irene’s Pots

Scottish Tablet desert by Toffee Princess

Handcrafted Bottle Stoppers by Colin Roberts

All natural Shaving Soap Kit by PAN Soaps

Sterling silver Cuff Links and Tie Pin by Mr. Beaujangles

Elvis stencil art Cushion by Gorgeoustuff

Terrifyingly Cute Monsters

Irene Sutton’s Mystery Monsters have become all the rage at the ARTE Markets. The creative genius behind the unique pottery brand Irene’s Pots, Irene has been teaching pottery in Dubai since 2009 and is a regular at the ARTE markets.

We were especially fascinated with Irene’s imaginative miniature sculptures series called Mystery Monsters.

It was during a Summer Camp when she was wracking her brains as to what her class could do that was interesting and taught the kids about pinch pots, that Mystery Monsters were born.

Each Mystery Monster is completely unique and almost ‘unrepeatable’ since they are born of Irene’s mood and motivation at the time.

Each piece is handmade with stoneware and handpainted (sometimes badly) with underglaze before a final dip in transparent to give them a shine. The mystery is why do they like to eat socks and just which one will you want to take home!

All of the Monsters have their own stories and anyone lucky enough to own one has not only a unique and personal monster for themselves but a one-off short tale of mis-adventure about the life of their monster.

Upon purchase of one of Irene’s Mystery Monsters, owners can click here to register their monster and receive the monster’s unique mystery tale.

To learn more about Irene’s Pots, join her on facebook for visit her website: http://www.irenespots.com

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.

Ghawaiesh by Mona El Sanhoury and Radwa Abo Alam

Swarovski beads bracelet – vendor unknown

One Card To Rule Them All…

One Card to rule them all,

One Card to find them,

One Card to bring them all

and always have a card on hand, no matter what.

Meet Clara Townsend – a Dubai College student who recently began her very own laptop fund from the sales of her unique handmade greeting cards at ARTE.

Between school and playing drums for an indie band called Rainhouse, Clara needed a quick yet smart way to raise money for a Macbook Pro. With her goal in sight, Clara decided to create something that was unique yet cost-friendly. Using her friends and family as inspiration, she quickly realized that most people in Dubai lived very busy lives and often forgot small things such as birthdays and anniversaries.

Enter All-Occasion Cards

For the common multitasking Dubai-resident, Clara created funky yet simple wordsearch greeting cards with a plethora of sentiments (Sorry, Congratulations, Merry Christmas) and phrases (Thank You, Missing You, Welcome Home) that can easily be customized for any occasion.

A picture of a “last minute” gift accompanied by Clara’s All Occasion card sent in by a customer

Clara suggests, “Just store a few cards in the office, at home or even in the car. Then, on your way to a last minute  party, pull one out, highlight/circle the right occasion and you’re good to go. For extra points, you could consider dropping by a flower shop for a bouquet.”

Clara’s all occasion cards are available as a single piece or in sets of 5, for only AED 45.

Lego Heads

It has been over a year, since Clara raised enough money for her Macbook Pro. However, having caught the ARTE bug, she is far from being done with creating Greeting Cards.

Today, Clara’s card collection has expanding to include new Lego-Head cards, with her bestseller being the ‘Ghitra Lego Head’. The new collection was well received by customers as well as fellow crafters, which also gave her the idea to use it in her GCSE art final piece.

To find Clara’s unique handmade cards, visit her at the ARTE Market in Times Square Center on the second Friday of every month.