Somaiya Ansari

CardnamaGreetingCards

SOMAIYA ANSARI CARDNAMA GREETING

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Somaiya is a prominent crafter of our group. She is the one who creates some intricately detailed greeting cards and her 'henna tattoos' has always been crowds favorite at our markets. We wanted to know more about Somaiya and her work so we arranged an interview with her at our last market at Katara on 12th February 2016.

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

Before coming to the Middle East, I was working as a Software Engineer professionally. Motherhood changed me, mellowed me down and due to my son, I got into teaching. As my children got more independent, I went back to being a student. Paper crafting has been my hobby since my childhood and I used to make and sell greeting cards during my academic life, for family and friends. However, it was during 2010 that I found out about an Arts & Craft Fair at Qatar Foundation and Fun Fair at my children's school. Thus restarted my craft journey. It was further boosted, when I joined QatART in 2012, and I haven't looked back since, alhamdolillah.

QatART handmade community

February 2016

What sort of products do you market?

Paper crafts, mostly greeting cards, occasionally gift items, gift boxes, tags, gift wraps and toppers.

How does your work differ from others of its genre?

I let the end-user customize the cards they buy. I do not write a greeting on a card and I let them adapt it to their own needs, in their own words and language. Ideally, a card can be recycled to be used for different occasions, either by up-cycling it, or by adding new sentiments in it.

How do you stay inspired?

I keep an eye out for catchy embellishments, unique types of papers, anything flat enough to be used on a card. When I get my hands on such a thing, then I try to look for sentiments to go with that item. My family and friends are great in sending me ideas as well. I love looking at arrangements in display windows in shops and magazine layouts as there are elements there I use in my cards.

Where do you buy your supplies?

From everywhere possible... online, craft store, stationary shops, office supplies, grocery stores, toy shops, offline, brand new, used and of course from the supposed trash, it doesn't matter as long as it can be re-purposed, I'd get it.

How does your creating process work?

Even though I look for ideas online, and I buy a lot of craft books, there are times when I have unfinished projects for very long time (even years) as I cannot decide a layout for the elements or the materials to use. I use my software skills in my card making, I often make 2 or 4 layouts for a card and then save the others for later use.

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

It has been really rewarding to be recognized by my brand, especially by people whom I've never met before but who've either received something that I had made or by those who buy my cards to give for a certain occasion but end up keeping it for themselves :)

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

My customers are mostly families, looking for cards to give at the upcoming occasions, like weddings, new borns, thanks, and then there are those who understand the humor in some of my cards. It is wonderful to hear candid feedback from such customers, who "get" my cards. I sell my work at Katara QatART handmade markets, at school fairs and sometimes at MIA Park Bazaar, among other places.

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

For the love of making something with a WOW factor.

Name something you do in your spare time.

Reading, playing computer games, doing puzzles and pinterest-ing.

Where would you like to travel to next?

China (just to see the place that makes almost everything there is), anyplace with a sea, a theme park, fab cuisine and a well-stocked craft store.

What recent project have you enjoyed doing?

I really enjoy doing customized work like themed gift boxes, special-occasion scrapbook layouts and working with mixed media. The possibility of going outside the lines, irregular margins and unconventional layouts with different textures and materials are very liberating and whet the creativity.

What do you love about being a QatART Member?

Being with like-minded people, who keep an eye out for each other, help each other grow in their own genres, give support and encouragement when pursuing a new craft or line of work, share information about tools, tips, techniques and the collaborations where we get together to work together. Cannot thank you all enough for all the motivation and oh, to see that despite coming from different countries, backgrounds, cultures, we are all so similar.

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

Without a doubt, QatART has helped me in so many different ways with positive feedback, mentoring regarding display, social media presence, all the way down to how to take a picture. Help with markets, opportunities to work with local businesses and you guys keep coming up with more and more amazing stuff. Keep it up!

Tell us 5 words to describe yourself.

Candid, optimistic, fun-loving, enthusiastic, and perceptive

Do you have a motto?

Why buy it when you can make it!

What are your 5 favorite finds at our handmade market today (29th January 2016)? (photos on the next page) 1. Ribbon embroidery wall art by JSP CRAFT LAND 2. Ink on paper art by Extraordinary by Mirsini 3. Necklace by My Arts Stuff 4. Glass painting by Dreamz: My world of colorz and painting xperimntzz 5. Love - Arabic Calligraphy painting by Kriya QatART handmade community

February 2016

QatART handmade community

February 2016