Craft for kindness

Big-hearted Bahraini friends Marwa AlKaabi and Ola Kassab are contributing to different causes within the community, through their love for fashion and design, reports Mai Al-Khatib Camille.

Passionate about crochet, Marwa launched Stardust while Ola, who is obsessed with jewellery, started Operla Designs. However, what connected them was their desire to donate to orphans, widows and children with cancer while also helping women across the kingdom look fabulous on the go.

“Every female should feel fabulous and be classy while also wearing affordable jewels,” said Marwa, 34, who works in the human resources department of an international company.

“I was always impressed with the art of crochet and its technique. I wanted to learn how to use the needle to create a textile. Then I found a group of orphans and widows who were experts in creating artistic items that can be used in our daily lives. That is where my Instagram business started.”

The orphans and widows work on creating colourful clutches and bags of different sizes, using 100 per cent cotton and yarn. All the items are washable, eco-friendly, and practical with 10 per cent of the sales going to the productive group.

“We wanted to give back to them as much as we can so they can live their best lives,” added Marwa. “It takes around two days to finish an item depending on the design and size. Ola and I brainstorm ideas until we come up with a design.”

Ola, who survived stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma, also bedazzles women with her jewellery products as well as donates 10 per cent of the profits towards the treatment of children with cancer.

“When I survived cancer, I felt it was another chance for me to start over,” said the 29-year-old underwriter. “I always felt strong about supporting others, especially those that are not able to afford their treatments. I also wanted to make jewellery affordable for women, especially if you want a range of choices as you may get bored wearing the same thing. It is hard and needs a budget.”

She has a series of necklaces, rings and bracelets in silver or gold-plated materials and zircon stones.

They hope to have a shop someday, but for now are raising awareness about their causes that are near-and-dear to their hearts at different markets across Bahrain, such as the 28th Heritage Festival at Arad Fort.

“Participating in markets together makes it more fun and we get to meet people and share what we are doing as well,” added Marwa. “One day, we hope to have our own shop that we can also support other start-up businesses, productive families and hand-made products.”

Follow @star.dust.bh and @operladesigns on Instagram.