Frames are a favourite at the QatArt Handmade Market at Katara. PICTURE: Shaji Kayamkulam
By Peter Alagos/Business Reporter
Spanish engineers, Marc Julbe and Patricia Sanz have a knack for breathing new life into discarded wooden crates and transforming them into versatile works of art.
“Oftentimes, I get worried that our neighbours’ patience would wear out from all the racket we make,” said Marc, referring to the hammering, sanding and sawing needed to resurrect old crates to shelves, tables, bottle and glass racks, and even small sofas.
“We don’t have a term for the art that we create but our brand name is ‘Pat-Let!’ which we coined from Patricia and palette,” Patricia told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the eighth Katara QatArt Handmade Market held yesterday at the Katara Art Studios Courtyard - Building 19.
Despite having no formal training, software engineer Swapna Namboodiri is able to create elegant works of art using stained glass technique on glass and acrylic sheets.
Swapna’s art is evolving. Today, she has fashioned recycled plastic bottles into stylish pendants and refrigerator magnets in the form of butterflies. She also uses old paper strips to make attractive beads for necklaces, as well as acrylic sheets for classy bookmarks.
Egyptian interior designer Tasbeeh el-Abhar is now a full-time mom to five-month-old Farah. In her spare time, she fuses polymer clay with metal spoons to create a one-of-a-kind cutlery that encourages kids to eat more.
Her designs are mostly characters from Spider-man, Monsters Inc, SpongeBob SquarePants, M&Ms, among others, as well as cute and colourful animals
Aside from kiddie themes, her latest designs are cutlery for weddings. “These are ideal wedding presents for any bride-to-be,” she said.
Sri Lankan national Janiththri Perera has put her drawing and embroidery skills to good use, by creating laidback decor, handmade cards and other useful decorations.
“My specialty is ribbon and embroidery, which I think is quite new here,” she said.
According to Janiththri, the handmade community has a bright future in Qatar citing the strong interest of many Qataris as well as expatriates in handcrafted products.
QatArt Handmade Community founder Dominika Bozic said the market is held twice a month and would run until March this year. The event features a variety of handmade products ranging from paintings, home decor, children’s clothing, assorted jewellery and other trinkets, embroidery, frames, among others.
“Katara Art Studios is interested in continuing the market but we still need to discuss the schedules, particularly for the summer months,” she said.
