( CNN ) -- One summer day back in 2008 , fisherman Ali Omar went to see Daniela Bleattler , a Swiss photographer living in Lamu , the beautiful island off the Kenyan coast . Struggling to make a living , Omar asked Bleattler if she had a job for him . Bleattler did n't , but asked him instead whether he could help her find any `` tanga , '' the old sails from the traditional dhows that she loved . A couple of days later , the local fisherman returned with a magnificent brownish old sail , weathered by years of salt and storms from navigating the Indian Ocean waters . `` It had a big hole in the center created by the wind and the old age of the material , '' remembers Bleattler , who at the time had just come out of a relationship . `` I just laughed and said to him , 'if I do a big red heart around it , this will look just like my broken heart at the moment . ' '' So Omar left again to return this time with tins of red and black paint he used for his dhow . Together , they started painting a big red heart around the hole ; once done , Bleattler dipped the brush into the black paint and added the words `` Love Again Forever Whatever . '' Read this : Fishing craft to foosball tables , furniture to float your boat . `` We looked at it and we just loved it so much , '' says Bleattler . `` I said I think we should frame it and put in the shop of a friend of mine . '' Less than two hours later , an American couple walked into the art store and stood in front of the broken heart holding hands . `` They said 'that is beautiful , how much is it ? ' '' recalls Bleattler . `` I had no idea and I just kind of said a ( very expensive ) price but they said 'well , we want it '' -- it started exactly like this . '' Ali Lamu . What started was Ali Lamu , a business launched by Omar and Bleattler producing anything from whimsical paintings and high-end handbags to beautiful bed covers and cushions . Six years after their first sale , they have sold several broken hearts -- as well as other designs -- to customers from all over the world . Everything is handmade , created from old fishing material and whatever washes up on the shores of Lamu . `` We are making more and more , '' says Bleattler . `` We are actually in the process of thinking wider and bigger . '' Read this : Artist 's spectacular glasses 'give trash a second chance ' Ali Lamu , which is also the name some locals use for Omar , has 34 permanent staff and sometimes employs as many as 70 people . The business has a couple of workshops on the island but most of the craftsmanship is done in the artisans ' homes . These are people who are usually Omar 's family members , friends and other local fishermen . `` Ali 's family is happy because of this business because they all have a job from this company . '' says Juma Kilonzo , a friend and artisan . `` We are the friends so we are close now like brothers , '' he adds . `` So we also depend on this company . '' `` Wake Up And Love '' The artisans also paint thoughtful and uplifting messages on many of their designs , promoting love , peace and care for the environment -- slogans like `` Wake Up And Love , '' `` The Only Way to Save The World Is With My Heart '' and `` Heart That Loves Never Gets Old . '' `` I just close my eyes and see what the day brings , '' says Bleattler , describing where she draws inspiration for the messages adorning Ali Lamu 's one-of-a-kind creations . `` Depending on the mood of the day , '' she continues , `` what is going on around the world and the people around me -- the fishermen , the people I 'm working with are my big inspiration , so it 's from them I find all these sayings . '' The company sells its designs from a small boutique on Lamu , mostly to tourists . But one of the main challenges for the business has been a drop in the number of people visiting the stunning island recently . Lamu , which is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO , is very close to Somalia and has previously been targeted in terror attacks . Watch this : Lamu deals with the tourism blues . `` We do survive because of exports , otherwise we would n't make it , '' says Bleattler . In hopes of attracting a bigger clientele , they 've put themselves online so that people from all over the world can see their works and make custom orders . `` In 10 years I hope Ali Lamu can be all over the world , '' says Omar . `` So my company has a really good life . ''
Ali Lamu turns old fishing material and recycled items into artwork and handicrafts . The handmade creations are mostly made by old dhow sails , or 'tanga ' in Swahili . The artisans paint thoughtful messages on the creations promoting love and peace . Clients can buy Ali Lamu 's offerings from a small boutique on the island or online .