Bohemian, the Bazaar for Handmade held 19th March, 2023 was a culmination of efforts by the local craft community. Hosted by Firefly under The Crafter’s Guild, the event made its mark as a pre-Ramadan and Eid festive bazaar catering to over 85 craft based businesses with support from the craft community. The participants included organizations working with special needs individuals, artisans from Bhitshah, artisans from Balochistan represented by the folk singer, Akhtar Chennal Zehri, and countless women led businesses.
The event was also abuzz with collaborators for Ramadan inspired activities including crafts to engage children and celebrate the onset of the sacred month. Revenue generated from such is diverted toward Ramadan initiatives as Smile Sunshine (Firefly’s Social Cause) to uplift the Ramadan Dastarkhuan meal distribution and to cater to ration distribution.
Highlights of the event additionally include the presence of Zaamin – Nisa a sponsor and partner for the event advocating for its campaign to assist women with ownership of their own homes and making them proud land owners. Magnus Communications and Spar (super market) are also key contributors to the success of Bohemian.
An exciting feature at the event was the Young Creatives segment, highlighting junior entrepreneurs set to make their mark at the bazaar under the age of 16. Their spirit, ideas, energy, and passion for handmade has been rather inspirational and encouraging.
Forifix, a local startup specializing in maintenance, repair, and general home improvement services powered the Little Readers Lounge, an activity space for children to acquire healthy reading habits and to enjoy connecting with their favorite books by local authors. Sara’s Henna had kept children busy with Ramadan inspired canvases with paint cones powered by Blue Bird Arts. Totes Eco adapted a similar activity with Fabric Paints to create tote bags and zippers for little mu’mins. Toy Bricks Pakistan conducted its Lego for cognitive play sessions, while Cups n Cakes was a hit creating cookie decorating fun for curious little makers. Other collaborators instilled storytelling and Ramadan Crafts to inspire energies for the upcoming sacred time of the year including Asma Hamza and Abeeha Ahsan with their story telling.
Several brands have made immense mark, including partners the likes of Queen’s mmxviii and Aanchal by Talaz Mizan. Some popular brands included Homemade Wholesome, The Baking Hood, Popping Paan, Mamajune, BnY Candles, Raays.co, Doodle Larki, Plants & Beyond, Geppetto, and Paperbox.
While the event is a regular feature every spring, its impact on the community has been immense particularly for Smile Sunshine. With focus on a clothes drive, and extending support to countless creatives across the city, Bohemian has set the pace for the very best time of the year and bringing together families in full festive spirit. Regardless the direction current circumstances of the country, it’s political and economic uncertainty narrate, the maker community is surely a force to be reckoned with in the spirit of Happiness is Handmade.
