What inspires you to create handmade??
Everything around me, really! I want to make everything that is cute and fashionable, and I frequent fabric shops to look for interesting fabrics that inspire me!
Michelle Chan
Originally from Hong Kong, we moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2 years ago when my husband got a job here as an expat.
Temperature (not heat index) today (August 2) exceeds 44 degrees Celsius, that is well over 111F for you American folks!
Me and my husband are not Muslims, but living in this Muslim country we respect the Islamic values.
My favorite cupcakes are from the Magnolia Bakery in New York! Luckily they opened a shop here in Dubai!
What got you started crafting?
I got into sewing when I was like 10 years old when my sisters introduced it to me. I started with cross-stitching, and I love seeing beautiful crafts taking shape in my hands! It makes me so proud of myself!
But I did not think about making it a business until much later. I majored in Electrical Engineering in university and went into a firm in the industry, and I got into the daily 9 to 6 regular work regime but it was increasingly depressing for me.
The turning point was actually my husband (then boyfriend)'s job offer in Dubai. Knowing that it'd be difficult for a couple to live together in a Muslim country we quickly got married and jumped on the plane to move to this exciting (and hot) new world. It is then that I finally find the time to explore my interests and, with the support from my husband, try to start my own business with my creative skills.
What is your source of inspiration?
Everything around me, really! I want to make everything that is cute and fashionable, and I frequent fabric shops to look for interesting fabrics that inspire me!
As my business grows, my customers are also becoming an important source of inspiration. My piggy purse and iPad sleeves were actually suggested from some of my fans!
What have you made recently?
Recently I purchased some colorful scale / feather pattern printed fabrics and they really are the inspirations for my Sleepy fish and bird change purses! When I set off to create a new shape for my purse, I choose the size of the kisslock frame from my inventory - I buy them in quantities and I have lots of sizes available. I then set of to draw the pattern base on my image of what I want to create and make the body of the purse with a sewing machine. Finally I hand-sewn the frame onto the body and post it online!
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
We started off selling at a local craft group that does booths in shopping malls, and it is then that I realized that it is actually more important to have an online presence and have a story to tell, in order to actually sell my brand and my products to my customers, and that's when I started my Etsy store.
Now I am trying to expand further by having a few stockists from around the world. Locally I have one stockist in Dubai and I am selling my crafts also at the new Dots & Loops Handmade boutique in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Wholesale orders are always welcomed! Feel free to contact me and we can work out something together!
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
I love handmade for the creativity! It is nice to see people with all sorts of talents come up with so many beautiful and artistic creations and sell them at affordable prices! Why go for the boring and dull when you can choose?
Find Me
LocationDubai, United Arab Emirates
Email Address
Michelle Chan
Personal Website
http://michellechan1010.etsy.com
@misala_purse
http://facebook.com/misala.purse