Farah Nizam
If you'd like to share, how many children do you have?
4
You are a wife, mother, and an artist who makes the most treasured hand-painted wooden dolls – you juggle quite a few amazing roles! What does a typical day look like for you and your family?
Our days are usually flexible and we don't necessarily stick to a hard and fast schedule (one of my favorite reasons to homeschool!). We all wake up for fajr and go back to sleep for a couple hours. We aim to complete school lessons during the first part of the day, but if we're not feeling it or have other plans, we push it off for later in the day or another day all together! The afternoon is broken up with dhuhr, lunch and chores. We wind things down with some screen time while Mama catches up on emails and packing orders. After my husband returns in the evening, I can focus on dinner. I love to cook and enjoy making our favorite meals from scratch, and my older kids have been helping with baking desserts. We wrap up the day by praying together before getting ready for bed. Throw in a few sibling squabbles, some teen angst/attitude and a messy kitchen and there you have it, a "regular" day in our home!
How did your interest in painting specialty wooden dolls begin?
My interest in painting peg dolls was inspired my own children. We had just moved back state side after living in a Muslim majority country. A country where we looked like the people around us, we didn't stand out and there was no question of our identity. I was looking for ways for them to feel more confident in their Islamic identity. On a whim one day, I saw some wood peg dolls in the craft store and was excited to paint dolls that looked like my own children, for them to play with something that they could identify with. We had so much fun painting dolls to match our favorite outfits or to resemble our loved ones. Not long after that, some friends requested dolls for their own families and Little Muslim Dolls was born!
How has creativity helped you throughout motherhood?
Creativity has always been an outlet for me, a way to express myself or release built up stress. When my children were younger, I used to hand make flash cards or create some educational collages to learn various concepts. Creativity was the perfect context in which I could teach my children. As they've grown older, my creativity has transformed into a small business that helps gives me a sense of purpose and worth, outside of my normal mothering duties.
How did you manage to keep your creativity going during a challenging season, such as the past year with the Pandemic?
I've managed to keep my creativity going through building meaningful connections with other Muslim woman creatives. I've been able to push myself with new projects and collaborations, through the support of other entrepreneurs. Support and sisterhood have been the key!
What is something you are most proud of as you look back at your growth as a mother and a creative? How are you seeing the fruits of your hard work show up in your life today?
Something that really caught me off guard with Little Muslim Dolls was the response from the non Muslim community. Initially, I very naively focused my target audience to other Muslim moms. But a beautiful thing happened where non Muslim customers, primarily teachers and social workers, were buying the dolls to diversify their own toy collections. I've heard from so many people from all different backgrounds who have been so eager to push their own boundaries and support the cause for representation.
What advice do you have for other mothers who want to create or work on a passion project alongside motherhood?
My advice would be that no matter what your work or project is, to keep your niyyah (intention) for the sake of Allah. When things become hectic or stressful - and they will be - take a step back and renew your niyyah. Why are you doing this project, how will it benefit the ummah and how can you seek the pleasure of your Lord through this work? Make lots of dua when you are confuse and trust that Allah will put barakah in the work that is done for His sake.
Is there an ayah, quote, or affirmation (or all three) that gives you comfort as you navigate motherhood? What about a favourite book or resource?
"And He (Allah) will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things.” Surah at Talaq Ayah 3
What is something you've learned from your children that helps you in your creativity?
My children have taught me to not worry about others people's opinions of myself or my products, and to just put it all out there. I admit, this was very hard for me (and sometimes still is!) but it was the only way I could grow as an entrepreneur. I had to learn from my children the concept of trusting my creative instinct and accepts some failures along the way.
Where can we find you? Kindly share your links for all our readers to support your work.
You can order from my shop at www.LittleMuslimDolls.etsy.com but you can seebehind the scenes, process shots and custom order pictures at my instagram page: @LittleMuslimDolls
