Guides

Plain answers about handmade pieces and creative services in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah: what things cost, how long they take, how commissions work, and how to sell your own work. Written by Trove, updated as the market changes.

• Handmade gifts in Dubai: a guide to pieces made in the UAEWhere to find handmade gifts in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, what they cost, how long they take, and how to get one delivered without the airport-gift feel.
• How to sell handmade products in the UAEThe practical routes to selling handmade work in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah: markets, Instagram, your own shop and curated marketplaces, plus what a licence means and when you need one.
• Commissioning a custom portrait in Dubai: cost, timing and how it worksWhat a hand-painted portrait costs in Dubai and the UAE, how long it takes, what to send the artist, and how to book one from a local painter.
• Pet portraits in the UAE: how to commission oneHow to commission a hand-painted pet portrait in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah: prices, timing, the photo to send, and local artists who take bookings.
• Handmade ceramics in Dubai: how to buy, use and care for themA buyer's guide to handmade ceramics in Dubai and the UAE: what makes a piece food-safe, why prices vary, how to care for glazed stoneware, and where local potters sell.
• Handmade homeware delivered in Abu Dhabi and SharjahBuying handmade homeware from UAE makers if you live in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah: delivery, timing, returns, and the makers and services available outside Dubai.

Looking for a piece rather than a guide? See the shop or the Services Marketplace.