Doll maker Dina Azar Doll maker Dina Azar

Kuwait is home to a perhaps not-so-surprising array of local artisans. From handcrafted wooden signs to customized artisanal soap, from handmade playdough to tailor designed jewelry, Kuwait's craftsmen and women have melded the artistry of their craft with Kuwait's deeply rooted entrepreneurial spirit to grow a budding community of artisanal enterprises. In a Kuwait Times occasional series, we talk with some of these artisans about their work, their passions and what informs their creative choices.

In this issue, we speak with local crochet artist and doll maker, Dina Azar. Known for her detailed and exquisitely lifelike crochet dolls, Dina is a self-taught craftswoman from Iran who was born and raised in Kuwait. She shares with Kuwait Times about what got her started and how she creates a doll from conception to finished reality.

Kuwait Times: When and how did you learn to crochet?

Azar: I started when my pets passed away after spending 30 years of a lifetime with them. four parrots died one after another because of old age. This depressed me so I had to do something to get through this pain and that is when I chose to learn crochet and it helped me a lot.

Kuwait Times: How did you learn?

Azar: I started to crochet three years ago. I spent several hours on YouTube watching instructional videos on how to do the different crochet stitches and just started practicing. It wasn't long before I made my first granny square and soon after that I got interested in making dolls.

KT: Crocheting dolls is an intricate and time consuming process. Why do it?

Azar: I chose crochet because I love dolls that make adults and children happy. I started it as a hobby and never thought that it will turn into a business. It can take me about a week or more to create one doll, from conception to finished piece.

KT: Do you have any other ideas for your crochet work?

Azar: I would love to crochet a mandala rug.

KT: What are some of the important tools of your trade?

Azar: Lots and lots of crochet thread and yarn in many sizes and shades. I use crochet hooks, chopsticks, yarn, tweezers. I use also crayons, and special markers or colored pencils to make my dolls' cheeks rosy. I also choose high quality yarns and materials so that the dolls last longer.

KT: What is your process for making one of these dolls?

Azar: First you choose the color or the body yarn skin tone, light or dark skin. Choose the thickness and that depends if you want your doll to be big or small then choose the yarn for the clothes and hair. You make the head separately then stuff it and then sew all the body parts together. After filling the body, I use chopsticks for that, and sometimes I use a skeleton to make it move. Then you sew the eyes. Sometimes I use wigs for my dolls instead of making the hair from yarn.

KT: What is the toughest thing about owning your own business, and what's your favorite thing about it?

Azar: The best thing that I can be my own boss and work whenever I want to, even if you want to travel I can do that also.

KT: How have you seen your craft in Kuwait change in the past five years?

Azar: It has improved a lot, people are more aware of the craft because of social media. They respect what you do and respect the skills that I have, and now I have customers that like my work. We used to think that crochet is only for grandmothers but now a lot of women and even men crochet.

KT: When you have a moment to spare these days, what are you crafting?

Azar: It has to be new doll. But now I do not have even a spare moment for myself. It was a challenge for me to do this interview.

KT: What other crafts do you enjoy? Or is there another craft you would like to learn?

Azar: I love painting, drawing, photography, and I take my own pictures for dolls. I like Arabic calligraphy but it is hard because you have to learn it from young age.

KT: How did you mange to be a professional in crochet in such short time?

I'm hard on myself. I can't be satisfied with what I've done until its perfect so I redo it again and again until I see good result , even if no one notice I know that it is not right and that I can do it better.

KT: What is your favorite doll, why?

Azar: My favorite one is Pipi. She is a very colorful doll and she belongs to my mother now.

KT: How long does it take to go from just an idea in your head, to an actual finished work?

Azar: It usually takes about one week to create a doll from conception to finished doll.

KT: Where can people see your work?

Azar: only on Instgram @diblossom

KT: Your last word?

Azar: if you have time, do not waste it. You have to learn new things; you never know where you will shine.

By Faten Omar