Running Roocreateschaos

 

If there is one thing about me that I have known about myself ever since I was little, it's that I want to be a star. I have always wanted to be a star, and I knew ever since I could comprehend the idea of careers and dreams and aspirations that I would be a star.

“How so?” you may be wondering. And my answer to that is, in any way. I wanted to shine in the limelight, make my art for the world and be remembered for the mark I leave on this planet. One of the ways I have been able to do that is through my brand, account and business: Roocreateschaos.



My logo and mascot: Roo -- a magical kitty with wings

Finding the name was an enigma. I knew I wanted it to be cool, to be different, for it to slip right off the tongue and stay embedded in peoples’ minds. But all the usernames were taken: whether it be Rudaba draws, makes or creates. The abundance of mediocrity really forced me to think outside of the box, and then I struck gold. Roo: my pet name that acted almost as a public alter ego; and “creates chaos” a line from one of my favourite Halsey songs -- “Art is not what I create, what I create is chaos.”

This allowed leeway in the definition of art, because I didn’t want to be confined by my drawing or writing or music: I wanted it to be free. I could start Zumba dancing on that account for all I care, and it would still be relevant, because it’s art. Because it’s chaos.

My journey didn’t begin swimmingly, like it rarely does for any other success stories. I posted digital drawings, Naruto memes and Corpse Husband videos: whatever tickled my fancy. But then stories of my knitting on my personal story gained a lot of traction, and I began receiving orders, and then I realized… there was an opportunity here.

I started taking orders publicly, hosted discounts and posted kind reviews that my friends left me. It was such a nice, humbling experience to see that there was actually a place for my art in the world: when I spent my whole life hearing that my dreams were “unrealistic”, that I was always in my “fantasy world” with my idealistic views of the universe and my eccentricity should be concealed, because it would never take me anywhere. I am so glad I continued to be authentic, to be myself, to be free.

I learned a lot through my business. I made some of my most favourite designs through custom orders: like a strawberry carrier bag made exclusively to fit 120 ml tubes of Camel’s acrylic paint, a keyholder in the shape of a Minecraft fox and my infamous Kirby pride keychain. My customers are creative, understanding and so very patient at the pace at which I work since I have to do everything by myself – starting from responding to messages, designing products, actually knitting them, packing, delivering and marketing. I have received some criticism: some rational, like the ink of my packaging coming off and creating a mess – though it wasn’t in my control and happened due to a faulty supplies, I apologized and made a note to change manufacturers for my next batch – and some irrational, like the customer expecting the wool to be “harder”. Either way, I take both with stride and make sure to implement them in my production process for the next thing I make.         

      My Strawberry Paint Carrier Bag, Minecraft Fox Keyholder and Kirby Pride Keychain

But Roocreateschaos is not just limited to knitting. Oh no, no, it is far more than that. My brand has helped me participate in three group exhibitions – A Thousand Tales – where I have presented some of my best artworks while dressing as art myself: some of my most notable outfits being the Starry Night, Hello Kitty and Dichotomy fit. I have made a few sales and gained even more experience, but most importantly made a lot of friends that I hold very near and dear to my heart.

                     

                                           My Starry Night Fit and Murder Fit

My dear brand has leapt off peoples’ phones and entered the domain of newspapers, as I have been featured on a Daily Star article all about how I knit to keep a part of my grandmother alive: as in all my thirteen years of knowing her I had never been told that she used to knit as well. Instead of her sitting around telling me stories about being carried away by fairies and listening to the same few wazes every day, she could have been kept busy making art with me. Still, the past is in the past, and remembering her with every stitch, loop and knot I make is the least I can do. I hope she is proud of me.

                                                 The cover of my Daily Star article

Another thing I am really proud of for achieving is being able to contribute to the reformation of Bangladesh! Yes, I have volunteered with a team to paint four beautiful murals on the walls of Dhanmondi Government Boys School at Dhanmondi 27! It was such an exhilarating yet tiring experience to work morning to night under the beating sun with my newly made friends, but it was so very rewarding to be able to paint my dreams for my country whilst people watched, often asking questions and giving us food to thank us for our service. I have seldom felt so seen and appreciated, and I will never get over how happy I feel when I pass that street and see my art be a part of Bangladesh – forever.



                 Two of the Murals I have painted at Dhanmondi Government Boys School
                           
All in all, Roocreateschaos is still growing: a flower simply beginning to bloom. I have a long way to go, a lot of things to learn, and many more mistakes to make, but I am not going to give up. I will continue to evolve: like working on making music and filming interesting vlogs; I am simply getting started. I will never stop dreaming, working hard and creating chaos. Because at the end of the day… I am a star.


References: 
  • Hasan, R. R. [@roocreateschaos]. (n.d.) https://www.instagram.com/roocreateschaos/
  • Halsey. Halsey. Colours (Stripped). (2016). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C092uisdqh8
  • Click Ittefaq Desk. (2022). A Thousand Tales: 4th group art exhibiton on 27th July. Ittefaq. https://en.ittefaq.com.bd/1970/A-Thousand-Tales-4th-group-art-exhibition-on-27
  • Siddiquee, A. S. (2024). Keeping a family tradition alive through knitting. The Daily Star. https://www.thedailystar.net/rising-stars/stars-the-rise/news/keeping-family-tradition-alive-through-knitting-3576936
  • Hasan, R. R. [@roocreateschaos]. (2022). inspired by @debashish.chakrabarty pride. gratitude. empowered. these were the first things i felt when bangladesh got liberated, and they. https://www.instagram.com/p/C-ieWb5IwIP/?img_index=1

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