It is charming to think that the simple combination of a hook and some yarn can create cute dolls that bring our young loved ones so much joy.
Crochet Dolls is an Instagram store that was established by Taif-based Shahad Baowaidhan in 2016.
The store offers a variety of dolls to suit all age groups, from Saudi Khaleeji singers Abadi Al-Johar and Talal Maddah, to Disney and “Game of Thrones” characters, with her most high demand item being Little Aqua Girl, a pigtailed child peeping out of a googly-eyed creature.
Baowaidhan, who is 27, said the business was created out of her love for crocheting.
“It all started as a fun hobby for me back in 2014,” she told Arab News. I was watching YouTube one day and a video of crochet teddy bear making appeared. I watched it and I was fascinated by the art, how you can create so many things with crocheting.”
She decided to give it a try for herself and created a teddy bear. “It worked out great, I was so happy. I was watching more crocheting videos day by day and got deeper into this hobby and became so attached to it.”
She was simply enjoying the craft and not thinking about creating a business, until her friend gave her a prod in that direction.
“At that point, I just loved crocheting as a hobby. I didn’t think about turning it into a business but, one day, my friend who is a painter saw my work and encouraged me to create a store. She said she wanted to buy two dolls from me and that I should sell it at a price that suits the doll.”
Baowaidhan was hesitant at first, she did not even have an Instagram account. “It’s really all thanks to my friend who believed in me and pushed me to create the store,” she added. “Every time I create a crochet doll, I fall in love with the hobby over and over again.”
All items are handmade. It takes her three days to create a palm-sized doll and a week and a half to create a 45cm item, the largest size, and she spends five hours a day working on it.
Customers can reach out to her on Instagram (@crochet_dolls1) to place an order whether it is a custom-made special, such as a doll of themselves or friends, or famous personalities, whether real or fictional.
Startup of the Week: The art of weaving masterpieces with yarn
https://arab.news/cuxv2
Startup of the Week: The art of weaving masterpieces with yarn
- The store offers a variety of dolls to suit all age groups
Saudi Arabia to promote rural development at global trade fair
- Program’s assistant secretary-general for media and communication said participation aims to attract foreign investment and strengthen international cooperation
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will showcase its advances in agriculture and promote a range of local products at one of the world's leading horticulture trade fairs in Germany.
More than 1,600 global exhibitors will take part in IPM Essen from Jan. 28-31, with the Kingdom participating through its Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program.
The goal is to highlight the Kingdom’s efforts in advancing agriculture, supporting farmers, and promoting local rural products globally, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The program will showcase its rural community development initiatives and support for small farmers, while emphasizing partnerships and collaboration with experts.
Majed Al-Buraikan, the program’s assistant secretary-general for media and communication, said that participation aims to attract foreign investment, strengthen international cooperation, and align with Vision 2030 to diversify the economy, improve food security, and enhance Saudi Arabia’s global agricultural standing.
The event offers an opportunity to explore innovations and solutions that could benefit small farmers in Saudi Arabia, Al-Buraikan added.
The Saudi pavilion will present its support programs, and distribute informational materials on subsidized sectors, including Saudi coffee, honey, and aromatic plants.
The fair will feature sustainable agricultural solutions, along with conferences and workshops addressing sector challenges and opportunities.
Saudi crown prince receives Italian PM in AlUla
- Two leaders discussed relations between their countries and ways to support and enhance them in various fields
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the winter camp in AlUla on Sunday.
The two leaders discussed relations between their countries and ways to support and enhance them in various fields, Saudi Press Agency reported.
They also discussed regional and international developments and issues of common interest during the meeting.
Later on Sunday, Prince Mohammed and Meloni signed an agreement to establish a strategic partnership council between their governments.
Meloni arrived in the Kingdom on Saturday.
Islamic leaders call for unity against extremism at Bangkok conference
RIYADH: Participants in Bangkok on Sunday at the third Khair Ummah conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations stressed Islam’s foundation in worshipping Allah and following the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, urging Muslims to promote moderation while contributing to progress.
In a final communique of the two-day event, which was organized by the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Thailand, participants called on scholars to uphold Islam’s tolerant values and address misinterpretations of religious discourse.
They highlighted the importance of following the path of the Prophet’s companions, combating extremism, and rejecting groups that misused religion for personal gain, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Participants stressed the need to leverage modern media and technology to promote Islam, counter misinformation through research, and develop programs instilling Islamic values and tolerance in young people.
The conference focused on research papers by various scholars and aimed to strengthen communication among Islamic leaders and institutions to advance civilization.
Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Minister Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh on Saturday emphasized that the conference aimed to strengthen Islamic unity and uphold Islamic identity through solidarity and adherence to the truth.
He said that scholars had a significant responsibility in light of global challenges and the intellectual, political, social, and security issues facing the world.
Al-Asheikh added: “This situation calls for a real response from scholars and researchers to clarify the right religious stance against sedition and to reinforce the core principles of the Islamic faith.”
Umrah guests from 18 African nations visit Islamic heritage sites in Madinah
RIYADH: The third group of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Guests Program for Umrah and Visit toured several historical and religious sites in Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
As part of a cultural program by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the visit aimed to enrich the cultural experience of visitors and Umrah performers in the holy city.
The group, consisting of 250 pilgrims from 18 African countries, visited the Uhud site, Mount Al-Ramah, and the Uhud Martyrs’ Cemetery, learning about this historic turning point in Islam.
At Quba Mosque, the guests performed prayers and were briefed on its facilities and the ongoing expansion projects designed to increase capacity and enhance services for worshippers.
The guests also learned about the mosque’s historical and religious significance as the first mosque built after the Prophet Muhammad’s migration to Madinah.
Additionally, they toured the King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex in Madinah, where they explored the technical and administrative departments and learned about the various stages of printing the Holy Qur’an and its translation into multiple languages.
The visit also showcased the complex’s efforts in recording Qur’anic recitations, interpreting its meanings, advancing Qur’anic sciences, and supporting Islamic research and studies.
The guests were introduced to the complex’s written and audio publications, which aim to spread Islamic teachings worldwide. At the end of the tour, representatives of the complex presented copies of the Holy Qur’an to the guests.
This third group is part of a larger initiative to host 1,000 male and female pilgrims from 66 countries this year. After their visit to Madinah, the guests will travel to Makkah to perform Umrah rituals.
Saudi project clears 840 Houthi mines in Yemen
RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 840 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.
The total included 38 anti-tank mines, 800 unexploded ordnances and two explosive devices, according to a recent report.
Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 479,794 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.
The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
