It all began in 2013 when I opened the doors of Crafty Cottage & Manual Arts Center here in the UAE. I didn’t start it just to sell art supplies; I wanted to build a place where people could slow down, explore their creativity, and feel the joy of making something with their own hands.

Art has always been part of my life. Since I was young, I used to come home from school and watch my mother experiment with art through different forms and techniques. From her, I inherited a love for learning new handcraft skills, traveling to discover unique materials, and visiting fairs and factories to understand how things are made. I wanted to bring that same spirit to my community, to learn about new materials and share them with others through Crafty Cottage.

Over the years, I’ve turned that passion into something I could share with people of all ages and backgrounds. For almost a decade, I’ve been teaching workshops across the UAE and KSA while continuing to learn and grow myself. My artistic journey took me to RISD in New York, one of the oldest and most renowned art schools in the world, and later to Atelier Nadaï in France, where I completed a three-month masterclass in painting techniques. These experiences helped me guide artists and beginners alike to build confidence and discover their creative side in a more structured and academic way.

At Crafty Cottage, we offer more than just quality art and craft materials; we show people how to use them. Through our workshops and tutorials, we teach techniques, share ideas, and help our community create in new and inspiring ways. Our DIY craft sessions are among my favorite activities. Participants make gifts, art pieces, and home décor using their imagination, often by recycling or transforming old furniture.

We also proudly offered a Certified Trainer Workshop in collaboration with Consultant Khalifa Al Mehrzi and my daughter Afra Al Daheri, where they shared the basics of becoming a professional artist and trainer.

Our logo, designed by Afra Al Daheri, tells our story perfectly. She envisioned each artist as a little bird that comes to Crafty Cottage to learn, to grow, and then flies out into the world to create and teach.

Afra is an Art Assistant Professor at Zayed University, a Sheikha Salama Emerging Artist Fellowship graduate, and an active artist both in the UAE and internationally. Her creative energy and experience bring so much to what we do.

With my background in HR and art education, Afra’s artistic and academic expertise, and the support of my talented sister Lamya Al Darmaki, we’ve built a space where creativity, learning, and community come together naturally.

Now, as we prepare to join the Miza community, we’re excited to be surrounded by other artists and creative businesses. It’s a wonderful opportunity to collaborate, host more workshops, share ideas, and grow together as a creative family.

For me, Crafty Cottage has never been just a business. It’s my dream come true, a continuation of my mother’s artistic path, and my way of sharing creativity with others.

It’s a place where art feels alive and where everyone who walks in leaves with inspiration.