Natalya Zeynalova, a Baku resident supported by ABAD, grew up in a family of amateur artists and credits her father for sparking her passion for craftsmanship. For the past decade, she has been creating national dolls and decorative sculptures. As a trained designer, Natalya’s souvenirs, crafted in the traditional Azerbaijani style, undergo a meticulous multi-stage process.

Initially, she shapes the dolls to reflect national facial features, followed by designing period-specific clothing that highlights their historical context. She explains:

“Crafting clothing for national dolls requires a deep knowledge of Azerbaijan’s history, particularly the types of garments worn during specific eras.”

Previously, Natalya sold her creations in stores alongside souvenirs from various countries and worked on custom orders. Now, her delicate handcrafted works are exclusively showcased at ABAD craftsmanship centers, where only Azerbaijani artisans’ creations are displayed and sold.

Since joining ABAD, the increase in her income has motivated Natalya to involve others in this family business, starting by teaching the intricacies of her craft to her sister.