The makers’ movement. Meet the women crafting artisan networks.
Petra Gasan and Josianne Calleja
Artisans Josianne Calleja and Petra Gasan have always had a passion for crafting and creating. A few years ago, both women—who are also mothers—decided to dedicate themselves full-time to turning their dreams into reality. Now, they are opening up their journey to other women like them through their project L-Artigjana.
Josianne, tell us a bit about yourself.
I have always loved crafting and making things. As a child, I would watch my grandmother crochet and tell her I wanted to learn how to do something similar—but shiny. I was talking about filigree, which I eventually learned.
As I grew up, I always made things while also pursuing a career in social work and teaching. I taught for many years while raising a family with my husband, and we now have three children. When I was pregnant with my third child, COVID hit.
“I felt life was passing me by as I rushed from one responsibility to another, without truly following my passion. I knew my heart was in crafting.”
Around that time, I started exploring filigree more seriously and attended a course with Gaetano Saliba. During the pandemic, I had a realisation.
With schools locked down, I was still teaching while managing two children and expecting a third. Like many people, I felt life was passing me by as I rushed from one responsibility to another, without truly following my passion. I knew my heart was in crafting. I also knew that building a business wouldn’t make me rich overnight—it would take time to learn, build a community, acquire tools, and set up a workshop.
After the pandemic, I returned to teaching for a year while slowly working on my craft business - Dazzled Collections. Eventually, I decided it was time to take the leap. After discussing it with my husband, we made the decision: I left my teaching job to focus on my business full-time.
Tell us about your craft.
I am largely self-taught, although I have attended several courses. I love making jewellery, especially custom pieces that tell a story. I have created memorial rings and pendants using ashes from pets or flowers with sentimental value. Birthstones also feature heavily in my work.
I primarily work with silver, as gold is expensive, but I can remelt, clean, and repair gold as well.
As an artisan, it’s important to evolve and remain creative. I have also launched a YouTube channel to educate people about metals—helping them understand what their jewellery is made of, the importance of weighing gold and silver for repairs, and the value of hallmarks as well as many other aspects related to silversmithing.
An interesting part of my work is that of hallmarking my own creations. My hallmark, ABK, stands for the initials of my children—Angela, Ben, and Klara—but it also represents "Always Be Kind."
Petra, tell us about your story and your craft.
I've always been a hands-on crafter from a young age, but my main passion has always revolved around needles, thread, and fabric.
Growing up, I was surrounded by my mother, an avid seamstress, yet I never felt inclined to try my hand at sewing—at least not until the age of 30, when I enrolled in a patchwork class. Until then, my career had been rooted in the tourism industry.
However, when COVID hit, like so many others in tourism, my job took a direct hit. Suddenly, I found myself at home, homeschooling two kids, cut off from social gatherings, and battling rising anxiety.
“Sew Crafty has been an incredibly rewarding and creative journey, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
That's when I decided to take the plunge and launch my Facebook page, Sew Crafty, initially focused on fabric masks. It gave me a new sense of purpose and helped fill those long days.
Four years later, Sew Crafty has grown tremendously, thanks to my loyal customers and the incredible support from those around me.
What started with fabric masks soon expanded into requests for cushions, tote bags, baby gifts, and more. I began incorporating handmade embroidery, which led me to personalise Christmas stockings—and eventually, I invested in an embroidery machine to take my work to the next level.
While I handle the planning, designing, and coordination of colours, fabrics, and patterns, my mother remains a huge help with sewing. My daughter, Faith, has also played a key role—she was the one who first encouraged me to attend artisan markets, and she has never missed a single one I've participated in.
Sew Crafty has been an incredibly rewarding and creative journey, and I’m excited for what’s ahead. Launching L-Artigjana has been another dream come true, inspiring me to explore new ideas tailored to its audience. I also take on custom embroidery projects, focusing primarily on personalised orders.
How did you two come together?
In Malta, the only way for artisans to connect is through markets. About two years ago, we met at one of these events. At the time, neither of us was a full-time artisan.
We also met two other women, Rosa and Nabiha, and together, we considered pooling the money we usually spent on market stalls to rent a shared space where we could regularly display our work.
Is that how L-Artigjana started?
Yes. The idea gradually took shape. We started searching for a space and found a small shop in Rabat. We began setting it up in December 2023 and officially opened in February 2024 to showcase our creations.
By May and June, we began discussing the idea of opening it up to other women. Eventually, Rosa and Nabiha moved on, but we continued developing the project.
How does it work?
L-Artigjana provides a safe and supportive space where women artisans can display and sell their work or be part of a collaborative project. Customers can collect orders, place custom requests, and engage with the artisans.
This space also fosters a supportive community, where artisans help one another solve challenges. We offer different collaboration packages depending on whether the artisan is willing to offer help with manning the shop or not.
Those who choose to actively participate in the project can also take turns manning the shop, can make use of the shop to meet with clients, and they can host workshops or classes. The shop is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays to allow us time to create, but these days can be used for the workshops or classes.
How has the journey been so far? What is the feedback from artisans?
Setting up shop at L-Artigjana has been a new experience for both of us. Right from the start we have both shown a total commitment to the project and put in a lot of effort and energy.
“We hope to keep growing steadily as that means more women empowerment in the creative sector, as well as the setup of a supportive female artisan community.”
We have worked seamlessly to cover different tasks related to the shop operation and, although the shop has only been around for a year, we have already seen consistent growth and very positive feedback.
We have started as four artisans and, within a year, L-Artigjana grew to host 10 different artisans. We hope to keep growing steadily as that means more women empowerment in the creative sector, as well as the setup of a supportive female artisan community.
What have been the hardest moments?
Right now, we are reinvesting most of the money earned. Securing funding is a major challenge, which is a common reality for many women entrepreneurs. Balancing a business while managing a household and children means progress can be slower.
Additionally, there is a lack of clear, consolidated information on the requirements for running such a business. The available information is often fragmented, making it difficult to navigate the process.
What are the greatest rewards?
Creating bespoke pieces for clients is incredibly rewarding. One of the greatest joys is seeing our children be part of this journey—supporting their mothers in following their dreams and building a business.
What are your plans for the future?
Our dream is to expand into a larger space that can serve as a workspace for artisans who need dedicated areas for crafting.
We envision it as a meeting hub for female artisans, helping them step out of isolation, connect with others, and balance their work with family life.
Be part of L-Artigjana
Anyone who wishes to join L-Artigjana can do so by visiting the L-Artigjana Facebook Page where they will find a Google application form to join the creative community of artisan women. There you will also find more about the artisans who are part of L-Artigjana.
Share your story… inspire others
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