ABOUT ME

Hi I’m Tamara! Otherwise known as CraftyTam! I have lived in Dubai for 13 years, with my husband and now 2 children who were born here. Dubai has been a big part of my life since I was a teenager as my dad lived here, so I used to visit him every year, and would never want to go home! After I got married, my husband and I decided to take the plunge and move out here to see how we liked it, 13 years later and we are still here!  I had to give up my job as a Nursery Manager during COVID, but I have recently started my own home based business – CraftyTam which specialises in handmade gifts.

WHERE IS HOME?

I consider Dubai to be my home, as I’ve been here for so long! Home in the UK is Swindon which is where most of mine and my husband’s family still live. My dad, step mum and sisters left Dubai recently and moved to Banbury, but we haven’t been able to visit them yet because of all the travel restrictions.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER? 

As a child I wanted to be a Princess (of course, what girl didn’t!). After that dream was shattered I thought I’d like to be a Vet, or a Hairdresser!

WHAT DO YOU DO?

I am the founder of CraftyTam which is a new home based business which specialise in handmade gifts. Our niche is Scrabble frames, Button Frames and Birth Posters. CraftyTam was born out of my love for crafts (from my nursery days) and my ambition to be my own boss and work from home, so that I can spend more time with my family. You can check out some of the items on Instagram and Facebook .

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH YOUR CHILDREN?

We are a big fan of staycations! Having been raised in Dubai, my kids are obsessed with hotels and are quite the critiques!

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR WEEKENDS?

Our favourite weekend activities are the pool, the beach, catching up with friends and chilling out at home. I try to make sure that the kids and hubby have enough downtime at the weekend as they are all so busy during the week.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?

Grease! 

IF YOU COULD EAT ONE MEAL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Gnocchi.

WHO’S YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?

Justin Timberlake.

WHICH DESTINATION IS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST TO VISIT?

I’d love to take the kids to Disney World in the US as I have such amazing memories of my dad taking me there when I was a kid. We were lucky enough to go to Lapland in 2019 which was totally amazing, well worth every Penny! 

WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?

Organising! I love storage boxes and labelling everything!

IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Teleportation – just think, no more sitting in Dubai traffic. No more waiting in airports to catch a flight. What a dream!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN DUBAI?

Number 1 for me is that the sun is shining every day. I massively appreciate what a safe country it is to be raising a family and for all the opportunities that the country offers.