Tag: succes stories

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

1 Comment

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 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!
Like our Facebook page  www.facebook.com/arte
Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/arteuae
Check out our next market www.facebook.com/arte/events