SaharaTulip

Monday, October 31, 2016

Homemade Harvest 2016 Artist - Yolande Mélékian

Today we meet artist Yolande Mélékian, who is new to Homemade Harvest. I am looking forward to meeting her and seeing her beautiful handmade items in person.

Tell us a bit about yourself? Apart from being ‘creative’ what do you do?

I’m a French artist, have been leaving in the northwest for 3 years. I started as a social worker in Paris, helping families in need to see through there life changes. I later created my own career counseling business. After moving to the US I decided to follow my dreams and live my passion

What inspires you to do the kind of work you do?

My creation are usually inspire par seasonal theme, must specific I get inspire by materiel itself. When I found a fabric I instincly see what I what to do. My children inspire me to create fiction of character costume.

Do you look up to anyone? Who? Why?.

I’m a autodidact I like to learn for myself and experiment new approach to creativity. I like to think of mistakes are new opportunities to full my creativity.

What other passions do you have in your life?

My other passion include dance, swimming,cooking french desert. But onlymy true passion is to spend time with my kids and watch them growing.

How do you promote your work?

I promote my work through events, selling in French boutiques and by word of mouth.

In the future I’d like to be…

traveling around the world to find new inspiration for my creation.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Homemade Harvest 2016 Artist - Navanka Creations

I'm excited to talk about today's artist that will be vending at Homemade Harvest because she is a returning artist that you will be familiar with: Amrita of Navanka Creations.

She was at our 2014 pop-up and her handmade quilled ornaments sold out! A majority of them are one of a kind, so I suggest you get there around noon if you missed out on a favorite last time.

Tell us a bit about yourself? Apart from being ‘creative’ what do you do?

I am a work at home mom and live with my husband and two sons in Redmond, WA. My elder one is almost seven and younger one is two and half years old.

I co-own Navanka Creations with my sister Nimisha who lives in Chicago, IL. We have two shops on ETSY where we sell our Paper Quilling and Felt creations.

“Paper Treasures” by Navanka Creations offers unique, handmade Paper Quilling Ornaments, Keepsakes and home décor items like Wall Art, Coasters and Custom Typography Art.

“Felt Treasures” by Navanka Creations is a collection of handmade and heartfelt items made using felt. Our Felt Treasures include Hair accessories, Ornaments, Home Decor items and Keepsakes.

With my growing kids and working for two Etsy shops, I rarely get time to do anything else these days. Listening to music and reading books are my favorite activities to unwind after a long day.

What inspires you to do the kind of work you do?

Creating gives me immense satisfaction. I grew up in India and lot of my work is inspired by the local art and vibrant colors of India. I love to be part of special moments in lives of our customers. When my work is well received by the customers, it inspires me and keeps me going.

Do you look up to anyone? Who? Why?

I look up to my parents for the amazing people they are. I am inspired by the hard work, sincerity and love with which they raised me and my siblings. We were always encouraged to do what we love and strive to be the best in whatever we did. As an artist I love the work of Yulia Brodskaya. I really admire the way she combined her Graphic Design education with Paper Quilling art to create her unique style and earned an international reputation as a paper craft artist and illustrator.

What other passions do you have in your life?

I am passionate about my family and my work. Making art and craft with children brings me great joy. I love to take photographs and hope to carve out some time and learn its technical aspects.

How do you promote your work?

At present we promote our work mostly using social media.
Our Facebook Pages:

Paper Treasures by Navanka Creations
Felt Treasures by Navanka Creations

Our Blogs:

In the future I’d like to be…

I would like to keep growing as an artist and entrepreneur. I would love to be able to give back by raising money for charitable causes for children. I wish to open a Craft Academy where people of all age can come and learn various crafts and engage in creativity. I would also love to write a book on paper crafts someday.

Be sure to save November 12th on your calendar and stop by to say hello.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Homemade Harvest 2016 Artist - Julia’s Charming Creations

Homemade Harvest is less then a month away, so I thought it would be a great time to introduce the artists that will be vending this year.

We start with Julia of Julia’s Charming Creations. She will be selling bookmark charms. Here is an adorable photo of one of her dogs, on the computer looking busy answering customer email.

Homemade Harvest has always been known for having a very low entrance fee to vend (all vendors put in 10% of their sales to cover the food and no other fees apply) and Julia has decided she will be donating the rest of the money she makes that day. All. of. it. How generous is that? Please come help her and her cause at our pop up show.

Tell us a bit about yourself? Apart from being ‘creative’ what do you do?

I’ve lived with my husband in our little old cottage style house on Education Hill since 1983. I’ve led a fulfilling life that has encompassed travel to incredible lands. I’ve had a variety of interesting and fun jobs. I am now enjoying retirement, especially being outside and on hikes with our three dogs.

What inspires you to do the kind of work you do?

I love to make my bookmarks/window charms/decorations so that I can raise money to donate to animals in need at People Saving Animals.

Do you look up to anyone? Who? Why?

I have enormous admiration for a friend named Vivian Goldbloom. She has devoted her life to saving animals and a few years ago opened Emerald City Pet Rescue in Seattle. She has a heart of gold and has saved thousands of animals over the years. She is not at all judgmental of people, does not gossip and is a lot of fun to spend time with. I got to know her as I have two dogs that Emerald City Pet Rescue saved.

What other passions do you have in your life?

My main passion is nature and its wildlife. I have built our yard to be a bird sanctuary and love creating outside among the many different bird species that visit. I adore dogs and have done so I’m sure, since I came out of the womb!

How do you promote your work?

My bookmark creations are a hobby and Ann, the owner of McDonald’s Book Exchange in Redmond, has kindly allowed me to display them at her store for no charge. This allows me to donate all my earnings to such a great cause.

In the future I’d like to be…

I think I would like to live in an adobe house in New Mexico as I love the sun and it would be wonderful to try a completely different way of life. Unfortunately my husband is not on the same page with this idea!

Be sure to follow this blog for our next interview. And check out the Facebook page for more information on Homemade Harvest 2016.

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Recycled Quilled Art - Vertical Khatam Flower

I was out this week with my girls looking for used medical supplies. We do this weekly around our town, sending our finds to Syrian refugees at a camp in Jordan.

On the way to the check out, I came across this Hallmark lighthouse shadow box frame with an image and a poem. I loved the blue mat colors and picked it up to bring home.

Last night, I played around with designs on Photoshop. I then pulled out my quilling tool and papers and this is what I came up with in one sitting.

Recycled Quilled Art - Vertical Khatam Flower

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Voting Muslim Pin Sets

Voting Muslim Pin Sets by A Crafty Arab

I usually don't get into politics on this page. But I'm making an exception this time.

This election is very important time for Muslims. It is crucial that we get out the vote.

Among all the presidential candidates that are up for election this year, only one has refused to go to AIPEC. That fact that he is Jewish was not lost on the American public.

This event have never occurred in our history and I think it is very telling of the kind of leadership we need right now. One not controlled by bankers or outside countries.

That is why I have just created these Voting Muslim Pins that are available in my Zibbet shop. Every set includes six pins and can be mailed to anywhere in the world.

100% of the profits will go to the Bernie Sanders campaign.

Friday, April 8, 2016

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

My daughters have this week off from school because it's our Spring Break.

As with any chance I get, I seek water by trying to find a rental house on the beach or with a hot tub. I was able to find one of those requirement in a house on the water on Whidby Island, my husband's favorite Pacific Northwest island. It was again on Beverly Beach and was adorable. But tiny.

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

Despite it's size, it was perfect for making puzzles together.

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

We built a fire every night (and even in the morning).

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

We went down to the beach using the secret garden entrance.

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

We spent hours playing on the fort we found last year. Surprisingly, it was exactly like we'd left it.

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

We also spent a whole day at the Skatgit Valley Tulip Festival looking at beautiful tulips.

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

We checked on the process of the mural at Tulip Town. This was started in 2003 and covers the entire inside of the barn. Still not done!

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

We cooked all our own meals, including delicious crepes. Except for one diner experience that was very interesting. It was a local joint and we got to hear all the local gossip. Since no electronics are allowed at our table, in our home or at restaurants, while we waited on our food, my youngest built a beach home for her father.

Spring Break 2016 - Whidby Island by A Crafty Arab

We went shopping in town, found a fabulous olive oil store and a great bookstore. We are not looking forward to Spring Break being over and taking the short ferry ride home to get back to reality.