Dubai, UAE: After much encouragement received by once again showcasing my handwoven wire jewelry line Janys De,  ARTE saw me back (after a gap of nearly 18 months). While the break did me good as I branched out into other creative ways, the return to showcase my work was a much needed adventure into the area of hands on crafting. Apart from that, I met Emirati artisan Salwa Al Mulla.

I have already written about Sougha, based out of Abu Dhabi. My love for Emirati handcrafts and culture comes from being raised in Abu Dhabi, since my childhood (I remember the fragrance of oud). I have also written about the London based Jameel art Gallery as well as the Jameel Art Prize 2011. The smell of oud fragrance is something special.

Salwa Al Mulla shows me her range of home made oud perfumes and other perfumes. Photo © Preethi Janice D’Sa

Salwa makes perfumes and fragrances ranging from bukhoor to cream perfumer, beauty masks as well as Al hawra hair oil. Apart from this, Salwa also creates lovely home décor which reminds me of some of the forts in Abu Dhabi such as those of the Cultural Foundation.

 

Hand painted forts. Photo © Preethi Janice D'Sa

She either paints the pots as shown in the above finished pieces, or she decorates them with intricate lace type materials, sticking them on very carefully with glue.

 

 

Fixing the lace with some strong glue. Photo © Preethi Janice D'Sa

For me, it seems to be quite a laborious process, but when I see Salwa demonstrate how she does them, she seems to be quite content and peaceful.

 

The lacy fabric is wound round and round in a meticulous manner. Photo © Preethi Janice D'Sa

Some of the pieces are then further embellished with stylish Arab filigree and you have a decorated pot ready to take home.

 

One of the finished pieces. Photo © Preethi Janice D'Sa

 

You can visit the stall of Salwa Al Mulla, of the Salwaty Gallery, at the ARTE fairs at Time Square (have a look at the UAE’s biggest handcrafted souq’s calendar for more details).

And here questions of type such if honestly strike me not much as I wrote everything higher. It is visible you simply you don’t want to read all this. As my parrot does.