Dastkaari on ABC7 Good Morning Washington — Our Story Reaches the DMV
Something extraordinary happened this week.
On June 4th, 2026, I walked into the ABC7 Good Morning Washington studio and shared the story of Dastkaari with the entire DMV region. Seven minutes on live television to talk about the art I love, the culture that raised me, and the brand that began as a quiet act of healing.
I am still pinching myself.
How It All Started
If you are new here, welcome. Dastkaari is a hand-painted artisan brand inspired by the rich visual traditions of Indo-Pakistani folk art — truck art, Mughal miniature painting, and the vibrant craft heritage of South Asia.
But more than that, Dastkaari is a personal story.
It began after the birth of our second daughter, during one of the most difficult chapters of our lives. Postpartum depression brought a heaviness that words often fail to describe. In that stillness, we turned to something deeply familiar — our roots. We began painting together, revisiting the colors and patterns we grew up around, and slowly found our way back to light.
What started as small moments of healing became something we felt called to share with the world.
Dastkaari — which means "handcrafted" in Urdu — became our bridge between past and present. Between the art traditions of our ancestors and the everyday objects in your home.
What I Shared on Good Morning Washington
During the segment I had the honor of speaking with the Good Morning Washington team about:
- The inspiration behind Dastkaari's designs — Pakistani truck art and Mughal miniature painting
- How every piece is hand-painted by me, brushstroke by brushstroke
- Why I believe everyday objects deserve to be beautiful
- The importance of community markets in connecting artists with the people who love their work
- The upcoming June Bloom Market in Gainesville, VA — and why events like this matter
It was a deeply meaningful conversation and I am so grateful to ABC7 Good Morning Washington for giving Dastkaari a platform to share our story.
Watch the Full Segment
If you missed the live show you can watch the full segment on the ABC7 website. It means the world to us every time someone takes a few minutes to watch and understand the heart behind this brand.
Watch here → https://wjla.com/good-morning-washington/inaugural-june-bloom-market-brings-artists-makers-and-live-music-to-gainesville-june-13
Come Meet Me at June Bloom Market — June 13!
The segment was filmed as a preview for the inaugural June Bloom Market happening in Gainesville, VA on Friday June 13, 2026.
This is a free, family-friendly outdoor market featuring:
- Local artists and makers
- Live music
- Family-friendly activities
- Free admission for the whole community
I will be there with my full collection — hand-painted tea kettles, Turkish coffee pots, dallah pots, copper vessels, mango wood pieces, and more. Every single piece painted by hand with love.
Come say salam. Sip some chai. Hold a piece in your hands and feel the story behind it.
These are the moments Dastkaari was made for.
📍 Gainesville, VA
📅 Friday June 13, 2026
🎟️ Free admission
Thank You
To everyone who has supported Dastkaari from the very beginning — at our weekly popup bazaars across the DMV, through our online store, and through your kind words and reviews — thank you.
You are the reason I keep painting.
You are the reason I show up every single week.
And you are the reason a small handmade brand from a home studio in the DMV ended up on ABC7 Good Morning Washington.
From our home to yours, with love and color always.
Mitushi
Founder & Artist, Dastkaari
