I love making things. I do. There’s something so gratifying about bringing different things together to make one really lovely item. Something unique. Something creative. Something handmade.
Me and Nada opened up shop along side the other vendors. Every single seller was selling the same items that we always expect at every bazaar. Scarves, ethnic clothing, incense, tunics. Beautiful items, but nothing we haven’t seen before. We were really excited about our items because it was the first time anything like this has been offered before to this crowd.
We wanted to start a Eid revolution. “Decorate your houses!” “Start a new tradition!” “The kids love these!” Our cries fell on deaf ears. We didn’t sell one single item.
Nursing covers. Unfortunately, many mothers didn’t believe these were necessary. I kept telling them that my most used baby items were diapers and my nursing cover. No luck.
Scalloped garlands stamped with “Eid Mubarak”.
Nada’s lanterns and my Eid treat bags.
Just another adventure to add to me and Nada’s list. We certainly were not discouraged. In fact we were laughing about it the whole day. While some people did tell us that we had good ideas and nice items, majority of them just didn’t appreciate them.
Within hours I found out about another bazaar that was being held two days later at a large mosque here in the Bay Area. With a trunk full of stuff, I figured I had nothing to lose (except the $50 table fee).
Handmade Eid Revolution: Take 2!
What. A. Difference. The items were a hit! One family bought two garlands, one for each child. I was floored that they loved the garlands enough to want two. People would come up to me just to thank me for offering the items. They were genuinely impressed and appreciated that I was giving our community items straight from the heart and specifically for the Eid. There is a major shortage of products specific for the Eid. I wanted my community to have actual Eid decorations and not Christmas clearance items. Don’t get me wrong, I’m the first one in line buying up those clearance items.
Whether people purchased items or not, I encouraged them to do something special for the Eid. That it shouldn’t just be treated as any other day just because we live in a country where Christmas rules supreme. We live in such a diverse state and an even more diverse Bay Area that our children should take pride in their holidays and religion. I talked to a group of kids for around 10 minutes just going through all the ideas they could do. I think the vendors on either side of me thought I was bonkers. I get slightly animated when I’m excited, especially when I’m talking to kids. This bazaar renewed my desire to craft and sew and give back to my community. Their great support made me miss being active at the mosque.
My favorite customer of the day was a boy that was maybe around 10 years old. He instantly loved the garlands. He begged and pleaded with his mom the entire time. Unfortunately, his mother didn’t have any cash left and her new checks hadn’t come in yet. He came back and forth to my table at least 5 times. I finally told him to pick one out and have his mom pay me whenever her checks came in. I wanted him and his sister to be able to enjoy their banner for this Eid while they were still excited about it. To start that new tradition this year. That first memory of their Eid banner.
One day I shall open up my Etsy shop filled with all my best work. I hope that little boy has an Etsy account.
You go girl! I love your blog and your eye for design.
I think you might find that a lot of people in the Muslim community are not yet ready to pay the inevitable extra for the carefully loved and handmade works that you can find on etsy. That culture of valuing artists and handmade and repurposed items has not yet spread to our communities, but I hope it will insha'allah.
I'm glad your items got the appreciation they deserve and I've bookmarked all your sewing and craft stuff to try when Inshallah I have little ones running around.
Salaams Amnah!! I just found your blog a few days ago. Not having a single crafty bone in me and two very girly girls I am getting a ton of ideas. Masha'Allah you are so talented. I'm from the Bay Area too and will watch out for your stuff. Was this the MCA bazaar? I couldn't go this year but keep us posted next time you're at such events.
F.
it looks like your stuff is worthy of etsy. especially if there's a muslim bent to them. i never specifically looked out there yet, but are there many islamic crafts out there on etsy?
do it do it do it :o)
DO IT!! I would def purchase many items from you esp. the garland and the nursing covers!!!!! 🙂 seriously, do it! What do you have to lose?
I would buy your stuff in a heartbeat! i love your taste, craftiness and perfect execution. unfortunately i could NEVER do it myself but i would definitely buy yours!!
Your stuff is totally worth Etsy. Beautiful! Have your sister tell me when you get one. I will shop there! (I am Iman's neighbor in real life)
I am happy to see your enthusiasm! If I were there, I would have absouletly purchased! I think it is all lovely! And whether you had a monster sale or not, I hope you had a Beautiful Eid!
Allie
Yay!!!!!!!! I am so proud of you! Why didn't you post these online? I would have bought from you a whole lot of stuff! Amnah, ok, here is the plan. NEXT time you decide to sell, you make a flyer and you sell to Islamic Schools! They are in desperate need of improving their Eid Decor for our kids. I wish you would have told me, I would have presented it to the school here! But anyways for now, make some kind of website where people can order for next Eid. Also, the schools here are doing an Islamic New Year celebration and are in need of decorating ideas. Mind you, the celebration is tomorrow, but for future events, they would LOVE this stuff! I didn't see pencils, Eid plates, cups, napkins, maybe a Ramadan Calender for kids, things that will work for school parties including party favors with "Eid mubarak" on it. Don't give up, this is a great idea!
Your crafts are definitely Etsy-worthy! The Arabic alphabet poster you posted about ages ago, I was so excited to see it on Esty b/c it was probably one of a handful of Islamic-themed Etsy shops. I bought it for my son's nursery and I get compliments on it all.the.time!
My advice, though, would be to not limit yourself so that you don't rely on Muslims being your customers. Giving back to your community is a great thing, esp since we don't have these things available elsewhere, but in the long run, it's better to diversify. And with your talent, mashallah, you could definitely have a great Etsy shop! Good luck 🙂
I just read this post, how wonderful!! Your handmade items are unique and looks well made I am sure you'll do well on Etsy. Being in the US you are at an advantage you know…You can sell practically anything on Etsy if you take good photos and I could see you have no problem there your photos are all great!
I dream of going on Etsy too but I know being so far away means its harder to sell to the International customers (shipping costs & delivery time). And the locals here don't shop there because we have so many local online sellers selling through blogs etc etc. But I still wanna try perhaps 2011 will be THE year for both of us ya? Insya Allah…may success be with you Amnah! 🙂
Salam Amnah, I just came across your blog thanks to someone on a forum and I would love to see your nursing covers. I love love love your blog and can’t wait to use your ideas to start our own family traditions on eid and so on… Jazak Allah khair dear.
Pls send me pics of your nursing cover and if they are what I am looking for I would love to order me 1-2 we got a baby on our way inshAllah and I think nursing covers are the best thing after sliced bread.
i love your stuff!!!! you should open an Etsy shop, i know i will buy from you 🙂
good luck
Thank you! It’s been a dream of mine to open an Etsy shop for years. One day InshaAllah. Thank you for your kind comment and encouraging words.
MSA this is so beautiful, i read all ither comments here and i totally agree with them,u must have a store on Etsy,
I do have my store there and I is really fun although I still don’t have a big selling number.
Plz If you have time take a look at it here:
http://www.etsy.com/people/NoahScraps
You are very talented mashallah! Keep up the good work and please do open up that Etsy shop you will be amazed at how many people will be interested in your stuff… including me =)
salam,..u should definitely be opening an etsy shop…masha Allah u have beautiful talent and the ability to make things unique …ur girls are so lucky masha Allah to have such a good spirited mother..m so glad it was a hit at the other bazaar…me myself have been thinking a lot about opening a shop soon…just need to gather the courage…although i dont have all the stuff than i can show rite now anywhere but m in the process of beginning a blog…take care
Salaams Sumera, Thank you for your kind words. It will continue to be a goal I wish to achieve. One day InshaAllah we’ll both be able to open a shop with quality items that our community would enjoy.
AssalamuAlaikum, Just checking in to see if you are any closer to that Etsy shop. I love your decorations and if you happen to still have any I would love to purchase them. As a convert to Islam, I think it is very important to decorate the house for Ramadan and Eid. The lanterns are also so wonderful. Does Sister Nada still make or sell these? I am anxiously awaiting your reply.