Artisans and feminine creativity: For less jewelry and baskets!

I spent the weekend between the Saf Saf, the Acropolium, Chez Sadika walking around the Christmas Market, the Arti Gift Show, the “Féé main” … The end of year celebrations are a great opportunity for To discover the creativity and to probe the actuality of the main Tunisian hand. Small round objects and brands that repeat, copy, tired, …. Focus on objects that do not make the favorites of the weekend. By Amel DJAIT

First of all, in all the weekend shows, there are jewels, too many jewels, too too many jewels! That has made its time and begins to tire. Faced with this display of rihana, small fish, semi-precious stones, pompons, one ends up really wondering where are the creativity and the talent. To assemble, to marry, to cut, to mix, to match, … It is good, but in front of this profusion of marks how many craftsmen succeed in creating a real universe? How many manage to have an imprint and develop a style? After a tour of the main salons of the season, I find it difficult to detect in the proposed brands that has the sense of perfection, the ability to design an original piece? Who relies on a concept?

Deeper, are we really creating value? Are we in the process of arming ourselves to conquer international market shares? How far can we really work on crafts, creativity, creativity, innovation, transfer of know-how?

Same for the baskets! There are too many, too too many … And the more they are dressed in jewels, velvet, swaroskis, pompons, stripes, feathers … The more one returns to the basics, the simple, stripped, traditional and straw cribs !

The pockets also have the wind in their sails. But to look for it, one ends up finding some pieces that are beautifully worked with calligraphy, ancient weaves, ethnic embroidery …

At this stage, it is also regrettable that the Tunisian brands have no universe and tell almost nothing! Almost all do not even have packaging. How to position yourself on top of the range, declare to sell for “concept stores” in Tunisia and abroad without a graphic charter, a logo …. The time of the “customization” of everyday items billed to More than 500% without providing enough effort for the “branding” is past! Many brands that have made occasional fairs and Facebook pages their unique promotion model can and should evolve and go beyond the testing phase.

At the organizers’ level, “Le Marché du fée mains”, organized by Chez Sadika, announces that “by highlighting innovation and exposing the greatest skills of artisans, innovators and designers of Tunisia, the fairy market hands, Participates in the promotion of the brand image of the Tunisian handicraft and encourages the development of craft production activities with added artistic and cultural value. When the announcement is so ambitious, we must give ourselves the means. I can only wonder about the criteria for selecting exhibitors. Where are the great competence, the innovation, the added value? What about scenography, light, signage and information?”

Upstairs are some interesting creations by young designers. Who sees them? Who knows that at the top of the sales space, there is a laudable design award for the best product on display.

On the Acropolium side, the National Crafts Office (ONA) www.artisanat.tn organizes the 2nd edition of the Arti Gift Show. More than 50 exhibitors offer ceramics, household linen, olive wood, weaving, alfa … On the show, craftsmen and Tunisian brands are well organized, precise signs, Clear concept, … The event is to be encouraged but to be reconsidered in terms of timetable.