QatART handmade community February 2015

What is your background and when and why did you decide to start your own small business?  My hometown is one the largest cities where freshwater pearls are cultured, so I grew up learning about the whole farming process quite naturally. I never knew that many years later this background would become my destiny “diving into the pearl business” myself. From 2004 for about three years, I worked for a marketing company in Dubai. During this time, I got to know about the great history of pearl diving in Arabian Gulf. There, I met a friendly Qatari man and collaboration started introducing Chinese farmed pearls in Qatar and my pearl wholesale business set off.

ZHENGBING SHENOpearl

www.facebook.com/opearlqatar

Instagram @Opearl_Qatar

Zhengbing - or “Shen” how we all call him - joined our community in November 2013 and since then he is our only male member. Together with his wife, he makes beautiful and affordable pearl jewelry attracting many customers to his table at our markets. We were keen to hear his story becoming a successful jewelry maker and designer.

QatART handmade community February 2015

As expected, the market reacted very positively, as I did not only provide raw material but responded to customer demands for finished works. From this moment onwards, my wife and I began designing various pieces and added further elements combining single pearl jewelry with color stone and silver, for example. These combinations were fantastic resulting in great successes.

What sort of products do you market? Pearl and silver jewelry

How does your work differ from others of its genre? I prioritize in superior material and perfect arrangement of elements resulting in great quality that makes my work outstanding.

How do you stay inspired? It is a bit of brainstorming – inspiration is gathered from what eyes see and ears heard. Lovely displays at major exhibitions catch my eye and I keep an open mind for special requests. I am eager trying our new things and ideas yet take responsibility for the outcome. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. That’s how you get the right answers.

Where do you buy your art or craft supplies? Luckily, I don't need to worry too much about it. Freshwater pearls are extremely easy to obtain at my fingertips as they are from my hometown, as well as most of the work processing machineries and tools. But then again, in order to extend and upgrade my assortment, I need to reach out to as far as Hong Kong and other distributing centers, for example, for saltwater pearl jewelry that I currently I work on, as well as for unique raw silver mounts for setting pearl and color stones.

How does your creating process work? After a sample is completed, the first thing I do is selecting the pearls ensuring size, color and quality match my high standards. Following this, drilling and threading and securing as needed is completed. For works involving silver, I must prepare the mount as per design and fit the stones.

What's the best thing about setting up your own brand? I think the best thing is simply turning from “no name “to “a name”. People start recognizing my work and me as well as connecting it with my brand Opearl.

Who are your customers and where do you sell your work? Basically, people from every corner of world love pearls and thus, my work with pearl jewels. My designs reach a wide customer base directly or indirectly: from my hand, through various bazaars or selected jewelry shop retailers.

Why do you like being a crafter and a designer in 10 words or less? Spread my flavor through every single piece of work.

Name something you do in your spare time. I love traveling to untouched places and admire beautiful nature. And watching news by any means, I like to know what’s happening around the world and around me.

Any exciting news to share? If no news can be considered good news, then I am excited about a continuous stream of orders keeping my mind and hands busy.

What recent project have you enjoyed doing? Generally, I enjoy custom orders. Recently, I was working on Arabic style necklaces for party dress made out of several rows with incorporated gold segments.

What do you love about being a QatART Member? QatART is doing so much considerate work for its member almost like a mother to a child. They remind me about every upcoming event when I am about to forget. They create an atmosphere-friendly market for all members to promote their work. They assist me to grow through workshops. They make me feel joy in giving and taking.

Do you feel QatART helped your business to grow and in which way? No doubt about this. QatART does not only build a platform to promote my business, but also builds confidence and pride. I realized for myself, business success is not only about the volume of sales, but more about a healthy and sound establishment. I think QatART is a good model that will lead me all the way to ultimate success.

Tell us 5 words to describe yourself. Adventurous, optimist, serious, consistent, down to earth

Do you have a motto? Learn from the past, seize the moment, prepare for tomorrow.

What are your 5 favorite finds at today’s Katara QatART Handmade Market?

QatART handmade community February 2015