The Crafter’s Expo has garnered a regular audience in the hearts of Karachi people over the last ten years. Despite two years lost to the pandemic, it is still one of the most anticipated annual events, which has not only uplifted 1300 creative businesses and startups directly through events, but has also impacted hundreds of thousands of individuals over the years toward believing in the mantra Happiness Is Handmade.
For the 10th celebratory show, The Crafter’s Expo is all set to take place on the 13th of November, at AREA51. The event, in addition to over 100 craft based stalls, also offers visitors a new dynamic to experience up close this year. The crafts on display include gift items, décor, linens, apparel, fashion accessories, jewelry, children’s gifts, stationery, skincare, and more. Majority of the participants are women-led businesses. This year, savory foods and sweet treats make their debut on the Munch Market at The Crafter’s Expo.
As the event scales up, it has added segments to offer more for families to appreciate art and craft. These include story telling under the title Tiny Tales powered by Wahda Dolls. Guest story tellers include Ms Nigar Nazar (who has consented to being the Chief Guest), Tabinda Zain, Hiba Masood, Marzieh Abbas, and Fiza Asar. Craft demonstration techniques will be accessible at the Demo Station in intervals followed by art and craft activities by Arthouse (by Sarwat Gilani). There is also incentive to partake in Lego for mindfulness and cognitive play with Toy Bricks Pakistan. The spirit of all these is to enrich family centric activities which connect to the notion of Happiness Is Handmade while honing crafts at the event.
The Crafter’s Expo this year also boasts 14 entrepreneurs aged 16 and under, in the Young Creatives segment powered by Bluebird Arts. It is incredibly inspiring to witness such beautiful marvels and skillset at such a prime age. This is particularly encouraging for children who carry an entrepreneurial streak. That’s not all. The event is also giving back in its ethos to uplift society and stand upon essence of community. Artisans from Bhitshah and Qalat are making their way to the event to exhibit their valuable crafts as a form of rehabilitation post floods. Esnaf – an online marketplace for creatives will make its offline presence to support work by artists from other cities.
Creative ventures led by the differently abled individuals are also a part of the event. The Karach Down Syndrome Program will be on ground for its crafts as well as a photography exhibition by members of their community. Smile Sunshine and The Crafter’s Guild will also be gifting sewing machines to Hunarghar on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary Crafter’s Expo. These are a tribute to individuals from the local community who have passed away over the years, and to honor their memory.
With over 100 reasons to celebrate happiness is handmade, this year’s Crafter’s Expo is a MUST visit for everyone. Entry is free, visitors only need to show the downloaded Kravemart App on their phones as part of a collaboration for the event. Other partners include Goosepaper, Wah Snacks, Tiara by IJ, and Groomers.pk. Bank Al Falah is a payment partner by facilitating POS devices for participants and enabling digital payments via cards for indulgent shoppers and supporters of Happiness is Handmade!
In times that narrate uncertainty and diminish optimism, platforms like The Crafter’s Expo are a ray of hope and uplift morale for countless individuals who believe in Pakistan and the creative Pakistani.
