Majda Al-Sufi is a registered Dental Assistant and the owner of Amarah Jewellery. Growing up, Majda has always been enamoured with jewelry. Majda is a very nostalgic person and feels that jewelry has the power to take people back to a specific time in their lives. Majda created Amarah Jewellery because she found it difficult to find timeless everyday pieces all in one place.  So Majda created her jewellery business and named it after her daughter Amarah.

Tell us about yourself  

 I’m a registered dental assistant by trade, which takes up most of my time! On my off days, I love to spend time with my family and friends and catch up on life; if I’m not doing that, I’m seeing what the next thing I want to change in my house (interior decorating and DIY is my second baby) my faith and religion is at the centre of my life I wouldn’t be where I am today without Allah SWT.

Why did you become an entrepreneur, and why did you choose jewelry as your business ?

I’ve always wanted to be a business owner, and for many of us, I think it’s finding the time to branch out and bring our ideas to life, the desire for creative independence, and financial freedom! I started to brainstorm in 2019, and when the pandemic hit, and the world stopped, it was time to bring those ideas to life!

What have been the biggest challenges with creating and operating Amarah Jewelry?

Time management! I wear many hats throughout the week, making it difficult to put as much time as I would like into Amarah Jewelry.

Have you achieved everything you would like to accomplish with Amarah Jewelry? What goals are left?

I haven’t even scratched the surface of what I want to reach with Amarah Jewelry! I have big goals and plans I have to execute asap! This next year is dedicated to Amarah Jewelry, so stay tuned!

Where can people find you on social media?

 @amarahjewelry

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Their store hours are Monday – Saturday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Sundays, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and their address is at 15108 135 Ave, in Edmonton.

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Tell us about yourself (Education, Experience, Background, Hobbies)

I have always been someone that leaned toward the arts, from writing to painting, to

fashion design, interior design, and, eventually, graphic design. I found it difficult to hone in on

one passion/interest, but I eventually studied Visual Communications at NAIT with a focus on

graphic design and felt that it was a perfect fit.

How and why did you create “Designed by Salt,” and what was the process of creating

your own business like?

I have a very clear direction when it comes to design, and I truly believe in the power of

entrepreneurship. Because of this clear direction, I always knew I had to create a business/

brand that allows me to have creative freedom and authority over the product I’m selling. I also

have a multitude of creative ideas driven by an intense passion. Designed By Salt was my outlet

and exhibit – a project that will never end and hopefully continue to grow.

Since you started as a “Designed by Salt,” what challenges or hurdles have been thrown

at you, and what have you enjoyed most about working in this field?

My biggest hurdle was overcoming imposter syndrome and finding time. I think believing that

you’re not good enough is what stops many of us. But I overcame this thought when I came to

the truth that I trust in my skills and believe in the creativity of my vision. The thing I enjoy most

about being a Graphic designer is having a creative outlet that actually helps other people and

goes on to live in the world of marketing. I love seeing my work come to life.

What inspired you to learn about Eastern architecture, and how have you integrated it

into your work?

What inspired me to learn about Eastern architecture was my intense interest in design and

being from an Eastern background myself. Living in a Western world where Eastern

contributions are greatly overlooked, I felt the need to showcase the beauty of the Eastern

world in a style that is more serious and chic. I sought an artistic preview into countries the

Western World wouldn’t think of as… artistic.

Who or what has been the biggest inspiration in your life, and in what ways have they

inspired you?

My parents are my biggest inspiration. They are both enthusiasts of the arts, whether

poetry, music, or painting. Therefore, they encouraged it and gave it value. They are also very

casually confident and sure of themselves and me. They have always treated me as

someone who will be the best at whatever I choose to do. This casualness gave me the

confidence to try something somewhat uncommon as a career.

Where can people find you and learn more about “Designs by Salt.”

My Instagram is @designedbysalt, and my website is designedbysalt.com.

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Rosie T Productions is having an Eid Adha Bazaar on Sunday June 11, 12:00 PM to 6:30 PM at the Druze Hall. There will be Food Trucks on site, with Free Admission open to the public as well as a live DJ. Rosie T Grand Bazaar’s are one of the best Bazaar’s in Alberta and have over 60 vendors, with diverse and unique offerings. The Druze Hall is located at 14304 134 Ave, so be sure to save the date!

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My name is Gihan Salama and I was born and grew up in Cairo Egypt and I was a happy child who loved art, music, dancing, singing and acting. I have a business administration degree from Cairo University. After that, I got married and came to Canada in 1997. I was lucky to get to work in fashion and other jobs and I have over 20 years of customer service experience in Canada.

Who or what has been your biggest inspiration?

At eight years old, I discovered my passion for jewelry when my father brought home a box of crystals imported from Germany used for his chandelier business. I grasped the technique by watching him link the crystals together using gold-plated rings or wire to make intricate designs, then used these skills later myself.

I snuck into the box of crystals and decided I wanted to make myself as shiny as a chandelier, so my first jewelry set was born. Using heart-shaped crystals and little wires shaped like staples, I created earrings, a bracelet, and a necklace. Later I began taking apart my mother’s old accessories and recycling them into brand-new designs while adding some of my father’s leftover crystals. These remodelled pieces were given as gifts to my friends at school. Throughout high school and university, I became skilled enough that I was asked by many to repair their jewellery as well as invited to sell some of my original designs at a friend’s boutique.

In June 1997, I moved to the small town of Guelph, Ontario, with my husband. I knew no one and did not have a job. However, I did have my father’s chandelier crystals. While exploring the little town, I found a small store -Bead Azled- that sold beads, stones, chains and other little treasures. It felt as though I had struck gold; I purchased my first tool kit and materials from there and was inspired to get designing. In the winter of that year, I got to know the community better, and my first order came. A custom gold-plated necklace made of solid white glass beads. Starting off with showcases at home, leading to my first city presentation at the University of Alberta Christmas show in 2007. This led me to register my business and designs as GiGi Jewellery, where you can enhance your persona.

Why did you create GiGi Jewelry?

GIGI Jewellery has been my dream since I was eight years old. My passion for making people happy got me to keep going and keep doing what I love and to be able to share the love with everyone through my pieces.

Would you say that you have reached all your goals yet?

 I haven’t reached all my goals yet; I still have so much to give; I will continue to seek more and continue to create to bring joy to others. I don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon; for me, a successful life never ends.

What would you change if you had to start all over again?

The past for me is like pillars or steps, you can’t claim the latter of success without claiming it steps by step. I don’t want to change anything in the past because all that had happed in the past made me a better person and taught me to prepare for the future, and that is what matters.

Where can people find you on social media?

you can find me on Instagram @gi.gijewellery or you are welcome to visit my boutique by appointment.

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FrameNess Boutique offers you the chance to have personalized posters designed just for you. By personalized, I mean whatever you ask for in a poster, you can have! Choose your theme, colors, text, names, and even language!

FrameNess Boutique – your customized gift destination. –Nessrine

When did you start your business? Was there something/someone who inspired you?

As a graphic designer & a mother, I’ve always loved to make my kids customized things. In February 2021, while designing wall art for my baby’s nursery, it gave me an idea to open my own small business and I named it FrameNess Boutique.

Would you say you reached all of your goals since you started or do you have more to achieve?

I’m an artist, and the limit for my creativity is the sky. I still have a lot to achieve.

What are the ups and downs when dealing with the Arab community?

We have a great community! When I first started my business I was afraid I wouldn’t receive much recognition from the community. But I was wrong! My small business started growing rapidly with the help of social media and the support of a lot of other amazing local business owners.

What would you change if you had to do it all over again?

What would I change if I had to do it all over again?! Hmmm that’s a tough one. I don’t think at this point i’d change anything.

What challenges has Covid-19 brought to you and your business and how did you overcome them?

My business has started with the existence of Covid-19, and I never have to get in close contact with anyone. My work is almost all done online except for the pickup/delivery part. The only way covid-19 has affected my business was the print shop I used to print my work at started to have outages and shortages in paper and ink supplies.

This was due to the delays of delivery and shipments from their suppliers. They even had a lack of technicians, so whenever their printing machines had an issue it would take forever to get them fixed. So I switched to a different print shop that is a bit far from where I live.

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