Saadat Abdullayeva, an ABAD-supported artisan from Baku, specializes in decorative-applied folk craftsmanship, creating intricately designed dolls. According to Saadat, her innate talent for this craft emerged in childhood:

“As I grew older, my passion for this art deepened. I envision characters in my mind and set out to bring them to life. My dolls are like my children—I talk to them and cherish them.”

Though reluctant to part with her creations, Saadat sought ways to share them with a wider audience through sales. She explains:

“I needed guidance to navigate this path, but for years, I couldn’t find it. When I heard about ABAD, my hopes soared. With their support, my dolls can reach a larger audience, and perhaps my greatest dream—staging a puppet show with my creations—will come true. After all, my favorite dolls are inspired by fairy tale characters.”

Saadat Abdullayeva’s handcrafted dolls are available for purchase at ABAD ethno-boutiques.