Today we’d like to introduce you to Savia Bassali.
Savia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in a family who work in the arts and with antiques. This drove me to study Interior Design and become a freelance designer after settling in Houston, Texas. My husband also encouraged me to start my own business in Home Décor and Arts after discovering my sketches and paintings hidden in a drawer! This is how the idea of SAVIA-DESIGN began.
Since I have worked as a furniture designer back in Damascus, Syria, I decided to start my own line of accent furniture. With the help of my husband, a talented carpenter, I was able to create one of a kind pieces of furniture.
My family’s history of working with antiquities gave me an appreciation for the value handmade work. Back in my home town of Damascus, we have a wide community of artists and craftsmanship whom still create beautiful handmade pieces and various kinds of art. From here, my vision for “The Art of Handmade” is to start putting together a Home Décor and Accessories line that combines different cultures and designs in vibrant colors.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It was not and will never be an easy or a smooth road. The more successful your business grows, the harder it becomes to keep that success. At SAVIA-DESIGN in particular, continuing to be creative is a challenge. Unlike other businesses where one kind of art is being produced by the artist, SAVIA-DESIGN must continue to be new and innovative with its various products. Presenting and creating different kinds of art is an around the clock task, and behind the scenes is where the most detailed work is done. From product creation to preparing for photo shoots to creating personalized packaging is where I must continue to challenge myself.
For young women who are starting their own business, I have to say, everyone has great ideas and talents, but few have the guts to show them to the world. Work hard and believe in yourself – this is the key to empower yourself as a woman and a creator. Women were born to create, without women there is no creation.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with SAVIA-DESIGN – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
At SAVIA-DESIGN we are proud to create unique, handmade works as opposed to mass produced/manufactured, impersonal products. The value of our products comes from the work that incredible hands touch, each representing a story worth telling. The sky is the limit, so we keep designing and creating new products.
SAVIA-DESIGN products are divided into 3 categories:
– “The Art of Embroidery” where you can find home décor pieces such as throws, table cloths, a line of home accessories and handbags, all hand embroidered by women in the Middle East.
– “The Art of Handcrafts” where you can shop for inlaid mother of pearl mosaic boxes made by the craftsmen communities in the Middle East. Additionally, our unique line of accent furniture designed and made by SAVIA-DESIGN is featured in this category.
– “The Art of Painting” where different cultures are combined together to present works of art from acrylic paintings to Legends we Love- free hand portraits to paper collage.
We are also delighted to be collaborating with galleries in Paris, France where we are featuring a special line of 3D paintings incorporating three-dimensional objects as a part of the painting itself.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Being unique and creative is a way to tell the world I am here. The key to success starts from believing in yourself and loving what you do. Next, you have to let the world see it, work hard and learn from your mistakes.
For those who work in the arts, get your business to the world through social media. While it is very competitive, you will get there with hard work, determination, and patience. Also, participating in local markets and art shows has helped me bring my business to a different, more personal level. These local markets/shows have helped me to start building a following of loyal (and local!) clientele.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.savia-design.com
- Email: saviadesign@hotmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savia_design/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAVIA-Design-1510170149261738/
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SAVIADESIGN?ref=hdr_shop_menu
Image Credit:
Savia Bassali
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