ISLAMABAD: A diverse set of craftspeople and entrepreneurs brought their wares to a five-day Crafts Bazaar in Serena’s Bazaar Court on Wednesday to showcase their skills before an international and cosmopolitan audience.

From modern wooden lamps and trendy handmade footwear to the very traditional embroidered fabrics and lacquer work furniture, the products reflected the various crafts from across Pakistan.

Ambreen Fatima has set up a stall with handcrafted puppets, dolls and various bells and wall hangings.

“We make these products at home and then participate in exhibitions at different places. My mother started this work as a hobby, then after my father’s death this became her source of livelihood. As I grew older I also became interested in the work and I had my own ideas which I added to what I learnt from my mother,” she said.

“We use scrap material and small adornments that are available in wholesale stores. If you look at the door bells and hangings, those are my innovations, while my mother focuses on the dolls but now I tell her about the styles of clothing and colour combinations,” she added.

Mohammad Ejazullah Mughal had brought a vast collection of truck art objects.

He said: “My father was the original truck artist who started painting smaller objects. I joined his business when he grew old. Painting smaller items for use and display has been more profitable and convenient as you can work from home, you aren’t affected by inclement weather or subject to the glaring sun. Then, foreigners really like these objects. They purchase small kettles and lanterns most frequently”.

Rizwana Noreen, a member of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries and an entrepreneur with a clothing business, explained how she purchases embroidered fabrics from across the border and then sells them alongside materials and outfits that she designs and has produced locally. She provides numerous women with employment as they are able to take orders at home while also creating wardrobes for working women in the city.

Mohammad Waseema, a highly skilled lacquer artisan, sat on the floor preparing a plate for display. He said: “This has been our traditional family craft for generations and now my wife, daughter, sister and I carry on this work. This has been our family craft for 450 years and our ancestors worked on the same craft in Agra. Today, we produce minutely detailed lacquer products and each plate takes at least two days to make while a small table takes at least three days”.

Bisma Noor, a footballer, research and communication associate in an organization and also an entrepreneur, CEO of Cafsh, introduced her products: “Cafsh offers premium quality and uniquely designed khussas with different ranges from casual wear to peep toes, pearl, stone studded, embroidered and mirror detailing on the purest leather. We focus on comfort with soft double padded soles while breaking away from the usual monotony of even tone colours”.

She added: “I always wanted to become an entrepreneur so I started a small business with my first salary to prove people around me that you don’t always need a heavy bank balance to start any business and secondly to break the stereotype that girls cannot run businesses.”

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2018