The Crafter's Expo 2013!

Many of you who follow Firefly on Facebook have seen the hype about the return of the Crafter's Expo for 2013 inshaAllah. :)

Last year, we pulled off the event in a month's span. This time, we have ample time on our hands to prepare and plan ahead to make it bigger and better this year inshaAllah! :)

If you're wondering what's up with the funky doodles and whimsy feel, it's simply my vision for the expo. The nature inspired aspect symbolizes crafts... there's hidden yarn and embellishments, bits and bobbles here and there, all the colors bring in our colors of craft. The idea is to make it welcoming and fun... which is exactly what the Expo is!

The exciting news for this year's Crafter's Expo is that we will be doing a separate wing dedicated to apparel and clothing. Given it is a Crafter's Expo, we are on the hunt for creative, fresh and out of the box apparel/clothing collection to be a part of this year's Fusion Fashion Wing. Whether it's a funky Kurti, a hand embellished kurta or a painted set of plazzo pants... you can add a jumpsuit, trendy abayas and even T shirts if you feel they fit our definition of 'craft'. :) The Wing will be a separate hall part of the Expo. Those who wish to only shop for apparel and fashion wear, can hop straight to this wing in December inshaAllah! All our textile and fashion background entrepreneurs, come forward. No aunty-wear or formals. Funky, fresh and modern day eclectic is welcomed!

*note if you have a range of products that include apparel, you will need to purchase to booths/stalls. The apparel/clothing will be showcased in a separate hall.

Did I mention that the Crafter's Expo is one of the best platforms for young people specifically? We even keep our booth charges to a minimal to allow you the best exposure without emptying out your pockets! Alhamdulillah! It's not easy being a crafter, and most often we invest more than we make, the Expo however hopes to do the best for you, to have the right exposure, and allow you to make a name and introduce yourself to folks out there. :)

I have created a makeshift registration form and have received several registrations in the past few months mashaAllah. I have worked out our stall pricing for this year and will begin bookings and final confirmations after Eid inshaAllah :) You know what that means, start saving that Eidi! :)

Please fill out the registration form by clicking this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KzhK1gkLFYo_MHyE-vLGZ3mSt_VblBJlLgFImdt-HV0/viewform


The form also has an overview of our Crafter's Expo. The information has been updated in the leaflet in this post as well.

I am open to collaborative efforts this time about, to ensure each of us has the appropriate exposure and smoother sailing. We're on the look out for sponsors, media partners, official photographers to cover the event and more! :)

Of course, volunteers will be selective this year, too! :)

To read information about last year's Crafter's Expo check out these Media and Press Publications:

Coverage by Dawn
http://dawn.com/2012/10/09/a-crafters-delight/

Priyanka Pahuja from Express Tribune Blogs
http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/14147/karachi-crafter%E2%80%99s-expo-pakistanis-are-a-talented-bunch/

Unique Pakistan
http://news.uniquepakistan.com.pk/crafters-expo-held-in-karachi/

Looking forward to making the Expo a great success inshaAllah. And looking forward to having more of you join us this time around! If you couldn't make it to the expo last year, check out some of these PHOTOS by Hocus Focus Photography! Thank you Wahaj! :))

Crafts Month Inspiration Week ONE

Salaam everybody!

I love the craftiness in my newsfeed over at Facebook lately. :) It's amazing to see something bring so many people together... their passion is commendable.

I wanted to dedicate this post to all the Crafty folk who contributed to the Week One's Craft Inspiration Challenge :) Theme was Spring and the challenge was to incorporate a handmade flower :)

If I missed you, please tag Firefly on Facebook and I'll add you. :)

Please visit their pages and give them valuable feedback on their projects. And of course, please share this post with your friends. Congrats on being featured over at our blog this week! :) <3

Happy Crafting! Smile Sunshine. :)

 

Okay, so Noveen at All that Sparkle *waves* does beautiful work with damask. And she pieced this lovely piece together for our week one.

 

Aqsa at Art-esthetics is unbelievably talented and does amazing work with flowers. HANDMADE flowers. The colors here remind me of Zephyr from Prima, and they look so fresh and full of 'Spring' :) Love it!

The girls at Cartolina do such adorable little pieces with quilling. This is their project for week one.

 

Khadija at D's Creations put together this little card with some cute flowers :)

 

This was my bit for the weekly inspiration. It was actually a request by a client based off our 'sunshine' mini album theme. The colors here are so fresh and vibrant, I could stare at the yellow all day. Hehe. The background is from Prima's Sunkissed Collection. The damask has been embossed and distressed. The ornate frames are die cut and sentiments stamped. I was pressed for time so didn't assemble a handmade flower, I used one that I bought from a recent craft shop, made by artisans in cottage scale industries. The card is 5x7 inches in size approximately.

 

This was Faiza's project for Fizy's Art. Love her purple flower. Super pretty!

Anaum has a thing for files and folders.. and this one is super love! I love her flowers on here. Check out For Love Of!

I am in love with flowers... and Floral Art by Rida did this gorgeous piece! So so pretty! MashaAllah!!

Ghazal Pirzada Creative Studios did this SUPER fun sunflower set for prop set up! How cute is that?!

ET, my friend at Glitter & Swirls makes me want to cry every time I look at her work. For me, she is the Queen of Cards. Don't yall agree? her work is always very detailed, perfectly composed and looks like something you'd want to buy just to put up on your wall if not give away! Check out this beautiful piece with the perfect colors by Glitter & Swirls!

Amina at Handmade Memories pieced together a heartwarming gift tag using Graphic45's paper collection isnpired by Spring. I love vintage, I love G45 and I love this girl's work for this week's inspiration! Please visit her work and give her some appreciation! :)

You cannot expect anything less than adorable and heartfelt by Injela at Spectrum, it's all about colors. She pieced together this wall hanging for Spring! Her flowers look so cuuuute!

 

Wajiha, at Kaghaz kay Karnamay makes GORGEOUS paper... handmade paper! And this is nothing less than that!

Sabahat from Limelight Favors did such a CUTE project for Spring! Check out these party favors!

 

How pretty is this wreath? it's by Moam. Truly, lighten up your home!

 

LOVE the colors for this mini put together by Paper Madness. SO fresh, SO spring! I love the flowers.

Jaihan, whom I had the pleasure of meeting with in Islamabad put together this Tag. I LOVE it. Check out Pearl.Box :) Very spring!

 

This card was pieced together by Madeeha from Rangeen. I love the flowers :)

VERY spring! another piece by Madeeha!

 

Rubab does some lovely work! And this is no exception! I LOVE the flowers she's pieced on here :) They truly speak spring! Visit RB's Craft Bin

Kanza at Spring did this little piece for her bit of week one's inspiration :)

Violetta's spring inspired basket of kisses. :) super yummy and sweet! :)

 

 

 Phew! Done with Week One Shares :) Hope you guys enjoyed week one's projects! <3