Leila Khaleeji

LEILA KHALEEJI ACMania

facebook @ACMania-184717141580306 Instagram @acmania

A software engineer by profession and a crafter by passion – Leila Khaleeji puts a lot of heart and soul into her paper craft creations as well as into the QatART community as one of five volunteer board members. Read the interview with her that took place at our handmade market in Katara on 27th November 2015.

What is your background and when and why did you decide to start your own small business?

Originally, I have pursued a long career path in the implementation of software applications. Despite this being a demanding and stressful field, I was blessed to find a comfort zone and stress relief through my interest and great appreciation for arts and crafts. I was known among friends and family for my passion to transform paper via cutting and folding into various forms, so I received a lot of scrap QatART handmade community

November 2015

paper as well as accessories along with requests to design and produce paper based products. After quitting my full time job, I always knew that I would put the massive amount of materials that I collected over the years to good use. Eventually and through the encouragement of our arts and craft community, I offer my products to people who value unique, not-massed produced handmade items.

What sort of products do you market?

Cards and gift tags for all occasions, three-dimensional pictures through layering and crystalising paper and origami gift boxes.

How does your work differ from others of its genre?

With a very well established market in paper crafts, it is not so easy to be unique even though I pay a lot of attention to details and I don’t mass-produce. However, the common phrase that I hear from people –“how did you manage to do this?” – always gives me the feeling of satisfaction that my work is extraordinary.

How do you stay inspired?

When you love what you do, you get inspired by the simplest things around you, be it an object or human being. QatART community as well as customers who appreciate my work are the greatest inspirations.

Where do you buy your supplies?

I order most of my supplies online and I always have a shopping list for an art and craft store during my travels.

How does your creating process work?

Sometimes I sit at my workstation with a topic in mind and accordingly I follow the theme. At other times, I work in the reverse order by looking at my raw materials, which trigger a suitable theme that I can start working on.

What's the best thing about setting up your own brand?

Though I lack this marketing aspect, I fully appreciate its value in delivering the right message about my products to the public. I am determined to have it at the top of my to-do list.

Who are your customers and where do you sell your work?

My products are categorized to suit both genders and all ages. I mainly sell my work at the events hosted by Katara Art Studios in collaboration with QatART.

Why do you like being a crafter and a designer in 10 words or less?

Full ownership is a key to produce a masterpiece.

Name something you do in your spare time.

Voluntary work as a board member to support QatART community for promoting handmade in Qatar.

Where would you like to travel to next?

I would like to visit the northern side of Italy; in particular, Sicily to explore the influence of the Arabic art on this area.

Any exciting news to share?

I had the opportunity to share my knowledge of paper crafts with little ones by holding a workshop for the first time in collaboration with the amazing owner of Pink Pepper Craft Studio. We are looking into further future collaborations with various workshop themes.

What recent project have you enjoyed doing?

Practicing with Islamic miniature painting.

What do you love about being a QatART Member?

We share the common passion for appreciating and promoting handmade products in Qatar.

Do you feel QatART helped your business to grow and in which way?

QatART has opened up the window for locals and people outside Qatar to see and appreciate my work via promotions and word of mouth.

Tell us 5 words to describe yourself.

Imaginative and determined to produce the best.

Do you have a motto?

Creativity is intelligence having fun (Albert Einstein).

What are your 5 favorite finds at our handmade market today? (photos on the next page) 1. Seat-back organizer by Andrea’s Doll Fashion 2. Bird house by My Art Stuff 3. Handcrafted pen by Handmade Jewelry by Elena 4. Quilt by Larysa Hnativ Pramberger Quilts 5. T-shirt by Duna for you QatART handmade community

November 2015

QatART handmade community

November 2015