Abu-Dexterous: Handmade in Abu Dhabi

Switch off from the day job by getting creative with your hands – four stories from Abu Dhabi.

They say in order to keep a work-life balance it’s vital to leave your day job at the door. Many of us tend to leave our 9-to-5 lives aiming to de-stress, unwind and generally switch off from the workplace. Yet, there seems to be a growing number of you who seem to down tools at the office and then pick up another set at home. We speak to a few members of our community who use their own time to get creative without PowerPoint presentations, brainstorms or team meetings.

Swans of London

Name: Ben Swan
Day job: Scuba diving instructor

“I like to work with reclaimed wood,” says Ben. “I have a passion for creating wooden furniture and other designs. Along with my friend Wag, we set up Swans of London – Rustic Designs.”

They make a variety of pieces, including one-offs and custom jobs. “A contact at a shipping company supplies me with these incredible pieces that vary in size, colour and texture.”

The website shows work which includes beds, mirror frames, coffee tables, drawers and more.

Wag, who wants to turn this into his full-time career, feels the popularity of their work is not just the rustic style. “Our clients know the materials are recycled. We’re staying as green as possible with everything we do.”

www.swansoflondon.com 

Claw and Paw

Name: Dominic Perrett
Day job: Senior solutions sales engineer

“I make cat scratch posts,” says the 32-year-old. “I was looking for a good quality scratching post for my four cats, as I live in an apartment and they needed a safe place to play. I couldn’t find anything that sufficed, so I made one for them.

“It had to be durable, unlike the ones on the market which are cheap imports made from cardboard, and are almost always too short. Cats use scratchers to stretch, mark their territory and play. If it is shorter than 70cm it’s useless as they can’t properly stretch.”

Dominic set up Claw and Paw in 2006, making a range of posts from 70cm to 2m in height as well as custom designs like the one on the right at Cloud 9 Pet Hotel in Khalifa City. He uses solid wood, thick cotton rope and household quality carpet, which he assures us lasts for “several years”.

www.clawandpaw.com  

X Stitch

Name: Kate McLennan
Day job: Primary school teacher

“I like to say I’m part of a cool underground movement!” says Kate. “I know people think that cross stitch is just for old ladies, but it’s actually really enjoyable.”

Around six months ago Kate realised she didn’t have a proper hobby, so looked into cross stitch. “I saw a few videos on YouTube then went and bought the stuff from this great place on Electra Street called Green Branch.

“I’ve been hooked ever since!”

Kate’s work uses a long-standing traditional embroidery technique with contemporary images and words. “It gives me real pleasure to see the look on people’s faces when they see a modern twist on something that is generally perceived as old.”

Instagram @x_stitch_kate 

Wood Burning

Name: Jerrold Moses
Day job: Architect and 3D visualiser

“I enjoy pyrography,” admits Jerrold. “I use a particular tool that burns wood, leaving a permanent mark on the surface. It’s a medium I started experimenting with about two years ago.”

Jerrold prepares a sketch, either by hand or digitally for reference, before he works on the wood. “It’s a real challenge because you can’t make any mistakes! I enjoy the process and it requires a lot of concentration but I’m proud of the twenty pieces I’ve made so far.”

Jerrold uses a specialised tool from a brand called Colwood, which you can buy online from www.woodburning.com if you fancy giving it a go yourself.

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Do you have a handmade / home work sideline that we should know about? Drop us a line: [email protected]

WORDS: Jack Dignum