Who is the creative mastermind behind ‘Tikka Tafal?’
She goes by the name, Ylenia Attard and she’s currently reading for a Masters in English at none other than the University of Malta. Fashion has always been a statement in Ylenia’s life and in recent years she has developed a growing interest in sewing- specifically for upcycling. This process allows her to take old clothes and transform them into cuter and trendier pieces and also gives her the ability to sew her own things from scratch (don’t we all wish we had the talent to do that!).
How it all started…
Ylenia’s intrigue for polymer clay blossomed a while ago when she used to watch videos of people making charms and jewellery on YouTube. Bring that intrigue and lockdown boredom together, and you’ve got yourself an experimenting Ylenia! She started playing around with polymer clay to make herself some eccentric accessories. Accessoies that she couldn’t find anywhere because they were either way beyond her price range or simply didn’t exist!
Once her creative wheels started turning, Ylenia toyed around with the idea of opening her own Etsy shop. With a little encouragement from her friends and family, that idea soon actualised itself into reality. Tikka Tafal opened its (virtual) doors on Etsy and Instagram on the 30th of June and she has been posting and selling her handmade jewellery and upcycled scrunchies (made from thrifted clothes) ever since!
From a hobby to a part-time business
Being a little dubious, Ylenia never thought the store would take off. To this day she is still surprised and overjoyed by the positive reactions she gets from people. What started out as a hobby she took up alongside working and studying, has become a small part-time business. She feels very fortunate about, as it gives her the opportunity to create things. Her goals for the store orient towards the creation of products that match her style and aesthetic. A kind of expression of who Ylenia is!
Tikka Tafal is planning on adding more items to her collection, apart from jewellery and scrunchies, and she has got a new clothing product coming up this winter. So, keep your (third) eye peeled for more!