Since 1993, PAL CRAFTAID has imported and sold in the United States Palestinian olive wood sculptures and counted cross stitch needlework made by Palestinian
artisans who offer fair wages to their workers.

Palestinian Needle Work

Follow this link to view the catalog of the needlework available for sale and prices.

Counted cross stitch embroidery is the most popular of the traditional Palestinian art forms. It is done today as in the past, entirely by hand on closely woven fabric.

Until recently embroidery was applied exclusively in the design of wedding dresses. Currently this art form is being applied to various apparel, table runners, pillow covers, wall hangings, table cloths and napkins, hand towels, and liturgical items such as stoles and chasubles.

Needlework patterns, type of stitches, colors and fabrics are all indicators of the regional origin of the embroidery. Though chemical dyes are now common in some villages, by and large, many still use natural dyes made from flowers, plants or insects found locally. Black is a common color of cloth on which the women work which is very hard on the eyes. Most of the Palestinian women do not have glasses, so they work on black until it is impossible for them to work on it any longer.

Through cooperatives women are given the opportunity to engage in this ancient craft in their homes where they can also attend to their children.

Because of the closures by the Israeli government and the security wall, movement by Palestinians to work, school, medical help, worship and grocery shopping as well as contact with family and friends has been curtailed. By necessity women have become the primary bread winners in the family through their embroidery. From the small villages, getting their finished needle work to East Jerusalem and obtaining new supplies has become a major problem because of the security wall and travel restrictions imposed upon Palestinians.
 

Olive Wood

Follow this link to view the catalog of the olive wood pieces available for sale and prices.

For the whole Mediterranean region the olive tree has been the symbol of life and a practical commodity for providing fruit, oil, fuel, ointments, medicines and carpentry. Olive trees grow abundantly in the rocky soil requiring little water and producing fruit for generations. Olive trees live for more than a thousand years. The olive branch has been used as a symbol of peace as well as a symbol of wisdom, prosperity and happiness.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of agriculture (April 2006) more than 465,998 olive trees have been uprooted by the Israeli military and settlers and the practice continues daily in the Occupied Territories.

Olive wood is sculpted into pieces of beauty depicting in a variety of ways the holy nativity in a modern flow of lines with creative tenderness. The finished crafts are a delight to behold and very pleasing to the touch.

These works of art are designed and sculpted by fourth generation Palestinian Christian artisans, sons of Salem Giacaman.

Their shop is located in Manger Square in Bethlehem near the Church of the Nativity.

The sculpted olive wood pieces are finished with olive oil and sealer - no shellac. To maintain your work of art, once a year you put a little olive oil on a cloth, wipe it on the piece and then wipe off the excess olive oil. It gives a wonderful luster.

As to the importance of the olive tree, Salem wants us to remember that our Lord sat under the olive tree, and it was a dove who brought the olive branch to Noah.

When you purchase a piece of olive wood sculpture or needlework, remember that behind each piece is a face, a family, and a desperate need — a need you can help meet.