QatART handmade community June 2015

What is your background and when and why did you decide to start your own small business?  I am an origami artist practicing for a few years. But I officially started conducting workshop and displaying my art at Katara Art Studios since October 2014.

AFSHEEN PANWELKAROrigamiaddictqatar facebook @origamiaddictqatar

Instagram @origamiaddictqatar

We are all amazed how easy and quickly a simple piece of paper becomes a piece of art in Afsheen’s hands. She joined our community in September last year and since then she gained remarkable number of followers and has conducted a numerous origami workshops all around Doha. Read an interview we had with Afsheen at our event at Katara on 5th June 2015.

QatART handmade community June 2015

What sort of products do you market?  I make origami lampshades, origami Islamic tessellations and conduct origami workshop for kids.

How do you stay inspired? For my daily dose of inspiration, I follow 4 origami artists via youtube: Jeremy Shaffer, Leyla Torres, Jo Nakashima and Tadashi Mori. 

Where do you buy your supplies? Everything I need is available here at Daiso.   How does your creating process work? There are different processes in origami - wet folds, modular origami, crease patterns, origami tessellation, strip folding, golden venture folding and so on.   What's the best thing about setting up your own brand? You are the boss and you work day and night to finish the project by giving your 100 % with best quality. And thanks to QatART for promoting our work so well.   Who are your customers and where do you sell your work? As I conduct workshop I deal with children most of the time and sell my products at Katara Art Studios during QatART Markets and workshops.   Why do you like being a designer in 10 words or less? Crafting is my therapy - you get cut off from the world and just concentrate on folding.   Name something you do in your spare time. Apart from origami, I love to draw cartoons and make giant paper flowers.   Where would you like to travel to next? I would love to travel Makkah madina next in sha allah.   Any exciting news to share? I am starting a new project in October: free origami workshop for kids with special needs.

What recent project have you enjoyed doing? Fendi brand promotion for Salam stores. It was all about origami: decor and workshop.   What do you love about being a QatART Member? All members are very helpful and supportive. It is a great platform for guidance and sharing crafting supplies.

Do you feel QatART helped your business to grow and in which way? I was jobless before joining the QatART. Since the day I joined I have received several projects via QatART. I did a corporate event for Kharamaa, the St Regis Cherry blossom festival and I have been officially conducting workshop at Katara for 4 months. 

Tell us 5 words to describe yourself. Ambitious, easygoing, motivated, team player, dedicated. 

What are your 5 favorite finds at our event today? (photos on the next page) 1. Wall art by Pink Pepper Craft Studio 2. Card by ACMania 3. Cat money bank by Ooh Arts and Crafts 4. Painting by Glassy Dreamz 5. Tutu and shoes by Tutu Corner in Qatar

QatART handmade community June 2015