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PAULA BOUFFARD
Touche textile
www.touchetextile.com
Instagram @touchetextile Facebook @touchetextile
'Dedicated, passionate and hard-working women' - that is Paula we know. She creates the most elegant range of organic, limited edition textile pieces, using traditional hand printing techniques. Her products are already a huge hit among the audience at our markets at Katara. We were keen to find out more about Paula.
What is your background and when and why did you decide to start your own small business? My background is in linguistics. I started Touche textile in spring 2014, but I had been contemplating the idea for some time. Touche textile is first and foremost the result of an unstoppable passion for colours, design and textiles. Turning it into a small business is my own way of changing the world into a more mindful world. QatART handmade community
November 2016
As a person, and with time, I became convinced that happiness or style is not something that can be achieved through the shopping and dumping cycle. As an artisan entrepreneur, I subscribe to a buy-less-choose-well philosophy and therefore focus on small-scale, high quality handmade production using natural, ethical and durable materials.
What sort of products do you market?
I use traditional hand printing techniques to create limited edition textile pieces. I make baskets, cushions, pouches, runners, tea towels and totes. Each piece is designed, hand printed and sewn by me.
How does your work differ from others of its genre?
All my textiles are printed by hand with my original hand-drawn designs. To print my designs and create my line of textiles, I source the safest and most ethical fabric and material. I use only 100% natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, raw silk and hemp. The packaging materials I use when I ship orders, or at local handmade markets are biodegradable and recyclable. The printing inks I work with are water based and solvent-, PVC- and phthalate-free. All production waste in my studio is kept to a minimum.
How do you stay inspired?
I find inspiration everywhere: a detail in a plaster wall while I drive in Doha, the intricate shape of a leaf when I take my son to the park, the colors of the sea… When I no longer see the beauty in my surrounding, it normally means that I need some sleep!
Where do you buy your ingredients and supplies?
I buy my supplies locally as much as possible. Textiles and tailoring is an area where activity remains very high in Qatar, making it easy to buy. I find zippers, threads and other accessories in the ‘fabric souq’, near Souq Wakif. For my line of certified organic fabrics, I order online from accredited suppliers. Most of the printing material I work with, including linoleum sheets, carving tools, screenprinting frames and inks, can be found at Jarir Bookstore in Doha.
How does your creating process work?
I create my own surface designs. I do not use a computer, as I prefer the organic look of hand-drawn designs. Depending on the drawing I wish to turn into a print, I carve linoleum sheets that I turn into printing blocks or I hand-paint onto the mesh to obtain a printing screen.
What's the best thing about setting up your own brand?
The best thing about this is the feeling of being in control of every single step, from designing, to selecting fabrics, mixing colors, printing, sewing, and finally photographing.
Who are your customers and where do you sell your work?
On the local scene, I sell my work mostly at Katara QatArt Handmade Markets and other selected events in Doha. I also sell through my online Etsy shop. Most of my international customers are from North America and France.
Why do you like being a crafter and a designer in 10 words or less?
Because it allows me to explore, create, transmit beauty, and challenge myself.
Name something you do in your spare time.
I enjoy simple pleasures with my family, mostly nature and photography.
Where would you like to travel to next?
Indonesia, Maldives, Seychelles, Turkmenistan, …
Any exciting news to share? I cannot reveal the details just yet, but I am currently working on a new collaboration with a local company that specializes in organic products.
What recent project have you enjoyed doing?
Nothing that I can single out; I have enjoyed every single detail of my work.
What do you love about being a QatART Member?
What I like the most about being a member of QatArt is the feeling I am part of a community in the true sense of the term. We share values and the love of arts and crafts.
Do you feel QatART helped your business to grow and in which way?
Through its seasonal handmade markets, QatArt has given me the opportunity to have regular direct contact with local customers. I also have had access to their large art studio in Katara to give block-printing workshops. With its promotional posts on social media, QatArt has also helped my business grow by giving it more visibility. Above all, since I have joined QatArt I have been in contact with a community of makers, designers and artists. The tips, ideas and resources I received from the talented QatART community have been of tremendous help and inspiration.
Tell us 5 words to describe yourself.
Hardworking, kind, smiling, sensitive, reserved.
QatART handmade community
November 2016
Do you have a motto?
Yes… Whenever I contemplate a new idea or project but feel I should not start because it will take too much time to complete, I tell myself: “Time will pass whether you start or not; so you might as well start”. But recently I came across a motto by designer Yokoo Gibraan that really hit me: “If you don’t take yourself seriously, I won’t either.” Thank you!
What are your 5 favorite products from our last market at Katara on 11th November 2016? (photos on the next page) 1. Susi - Mice Doll from Andreaz 2. Strawberry Mint jam from Amira's Kitchen 3. Precious Healing stone bracelet from Precious 4. Ali - The camel print from Glassy Dreamz 5. Oryx watercolor print from Shamal Kids
QatART handmade community
November 2016
QatART handmade community
November 2016