The Connector Craft Shop....Closing down!!!

As known to many craft enthusiasts here in Dubai, the good old Connector Craft Shop very often addressed as 'Elves & Fairies' is closing down. After their 17 years in the business they have finally decided to call it a day!
I was having a chat with the owner, who now lives in Australia and found out that the shop was never named Elves & Fairies at all! It was the name of the previous owner's shop which retailed kid's apparel! When the craft shop took over they let the sticker of ' Elves & Fairies' be on the glass and so the name stayed on that even the craft shop's brown paper packets carry the name!
Anyways the important information is that they are closing by 26th of March and have 50 to 70% off on all their products!!! So all you craft people rush as the stocks are already getting over! 
Sad that they have to close down. :-(

Shell Craft

I am inspired by the shell crafts by Martha..... Having a lot of shells which I have being collecting since long, I would like to try out some soon!!!
Check out for DIY instructions at Martha's website here.

'Potli' ...Educational Art & Craft Kits

The 'Potli' activity kits by Kadam are awesome DIYs for the younger crafters. They have a range of traditional Indian tribal craft and art to choose from. It gives the children a good knowledge about the arts & crafts and they really enjoy doing it. A part of the earnings from the kits goes to benefit the village artists. Wish they had kits like these for us as well. Find more about them here.

Comes with instructions and a brief history about the art/craft.

My daughter...at it. Not perfect but its ok as she enjoyed it and wants to do more. She is eager to try the others. 

Drag Art

An exaggerated style of art.....a form of humorous Caricature created  in 3D forms by Thomas Hoffmann. His company well known as Tom's Company is based in Germany.

In their website they mention that they have branches all over the world. Could ' Rural Crafts' of India be one of them?

The works seem to be similar....What ever...no complications..only to bring a smile on anyone's face whether you like them or not! 

 The above are from Tom's Company

These ones are by Rural Craft.

These ones below ...by Rural Craft are available in Bayti....  

Beaded Jewels.

Thanks to my crafty new friends...Anu and Harshita of Colours Dekor , who's lovely creations have inspired me to do beading myself. I always wanted to do some...helped my daughter in her beading projects and bought plenty of beads and other accessories to create something for myself but it did not happen till now! At least now the interest has caught on and do not wish to stop here. Here are some of my work which I did past two days.

Hope they are to the mark???

Weekend at the Global Village.

Dubai's most popular fair cum global market of culture " The Global Village"  is definitely a must see for residents and tourists.Happening  in the cool months of Nov- Feb.Whether you are a shopaholic, a cultural enthusiast, a foodie or person who just wants to enjoy a fair..you are at the right place. With 43 countries taking part and loads of entertainment for every one....various heart-stopping stunts, cultural programs, wonderful exhibits, fun rides, lots of mouthwatering delicacies.......the excitement never seems to end! There are few lucky ones who get to win the highly anticipated "Lexus Daily Raffle"!

  I should say Friday is the worst day to go there.....and we did that! Weekends here (Friday & Saturday ) are the time when families and the others get enough time to visit such places in leisure. Last weekend seemed to had the maximum foot count! First of all we had to park the car at the other end(P-7) of the main gates from where we had to then walk all the way to the main gate 1....we avoided this by hiring a cycle rickshaw(yes you read it right a cycle rickshaw from India) to give some rest to my still healing knee. This ride turned out to be very expensive...30 bucks for the three of us! We could have hired a cab for one third of the price! Of course cabs are not allowed there....anyways it is the only time the rickshawalas can make some bucks.
  On reaching the main gate what we find is a long waiting queue for the entrance tickets! After waiting in the line for about half an hour to 40 mins we  entered the park only to find it even more crowded....Certain pavilions had no place to set a feet even. No I am not exaggerating...I had to step out of the Pak pavilion just because I could not bother to walk in a crowded place like it was! Also my daughter and husband had to wait in long queues for the rides. Then I decided to just go to the main pavilions of my interest get what I came for and out we go....
  Headed straight to the Indian pavilion bought some wonderful henna wooden block stamps(for craft) and while going out saw a shop of Nepali stuff. While enquiring about there presents in the India pavilion I found out that there was no Nepali one this year, so they found some place in their neighbour's one. Sad to know that they will not be coming back the next time. Nepal was always in my must visit pavilions' list. Any ways ...just picked up some sculpture from there and walked to the Thai pav. The next stop was Morocco and that was it patience out and headed back home....Need to visit again for the rest of the things in my list. I think one of the Mondays which is supposed to be a family day is less crowded would be best for me...

Pics from the Nepalese shop.....

At the Moroccan Pavilion .....

This is what I managed to get at the Pakistan pavilion...Note the Juttees they are so cool on the feet and very light in the pocket!

The pretty Thai flowers and dancers...

The Indian 'Mela'....

Click the images to view larger version. All these images have been taken with a Point and Shoot camera.

Art By Aarohi

Kitsch Art by Aarohi the desi version of  Pakistani truck art and the colourful Mexican art or can we say pop art? Each piece is interesting. The artist has taken very simple, uninteresting things and subjects and made them very interesting! It's just not kitschy it's arty kitsch!Animal,birds,flowers, people,gods,etc anything and everything Indian has been used in her art. Friends, you must take a look at her site for her complete work.... "Art By Aarohi"

Could anyone think that these subjects can make such interesting art?

When Ganesh ji can change his vaahan, why can't we change our perspective in art definition.

Our good old trunk has more uses now.

This balti is no more going to be kept in the bathroom!

Even the chai wala's possessions have great value now! 

These chairs where otherwise so out... whatever! It's now so cool!

Coffee table and games table...not one but two games!