Handmade Eid Revolution

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.

For a very, very long time the idea of an Etsy shop has danced around in my head.  In every notebook I own, you'll find lists of things I would make to put in my cute little shop. My take on items already out there, but unique to my target customers. Drawings, store names, item descriptions.  So many ideas but no action. 

I lack the confidence that my items are worthy of Etsy.  There is such amazing talent displayed there.   How could I even compare?  Then one day my cousin had called me to place an order for two nursing covers.  Ever since I learned how to make them I have been giving them out as gifts to all the new mothers.  I was so excited because she had seen my work and it was worthy enough for her to want not one, but two! 

I rushed over to Jo-Ann and bought fabric for her order as well as more.  A lot more. The fabric was on sale! Don't judge me.  Once I got home I went through each step ever so carefully to make sure I was putting out an excellent product.  With each stitch I realized that whatever I have to offer will be my best work.  What more can anyone ask for than some one's best? 

So with that, I began sewing and sewing and sewing.  But not for Etsy, for a winter bazaar that was being held at a local charter school.  I wanted to get some real life reactions for my work so that I would know what works and what doesn't.  Since the school's students are 99% Muslim and it was a few days prior to Eid, I decided to put out a bunch of Eid related items. 

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.