Pal Craftaid Artisan Vendors
Pal Craftaid worked with several artisan vendor groups over many years. We would encourage our friends and customers to continue to connect with these artisans for future orders.
The Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children in Gaza (www.Atfaluna.net) serves about 300 children ages 3 to 18, in their educational programs for the deaf. These children are from families who are living below the poverty line. With generous love, Atfaluna teaches children and adults academic and social skills, helping to break their sense of isolation. Craft programs staffed by the deaf and their families provide income for many women on site and many more women working from their homes. Creating beautiful needlework, woodworking and ceramics provides income which helps families survive the economic blockade imposed by Israel.
The Melia Shop ([email protected]) is a project of the Arab Orthodox Society which sponsors several women’s needlework coops throughout the West Bank and E. Jerusalem. The work of these women is brought together for sale at the Melia Shop, a Fair Trade shop, in the Old Jerusalem. Because it is difficult for these women to get their needlework supplies and to turn in their completed projects, representatives of AOS go to the villages to collect the finished projects and bring new supplies.
The Arab Women's Union (www.bethawu.org; then click on “store”) has a shop in Bethlehem. This shop brings together the creations of needle workers from all over the area. Pal Craftaid worked with this group for many years selling their beautiful work. (You may also email to [email protected]).
The Il Bambino Shop (www.ilbambino.org) located in Manger Square in Bethlehem supplied Pal Craftaid with the olive wood sculptures for 25+ years. This is a family-owned business of many generations. In the past, many workers were employed to produce the creations of the artists; however, in recent years due to the massive reduction of tourists, it is mostly members of the extended Giacamen family who produce all of the work. (Email: [email protected])
The Al-Kahf Arts & Crafts Center (www.annadwa.org) in Bethlehem is a part of the Dar al-Kalima College in Bethlehem. It’s mission is to revive the local community’s sense of beauty, strengthen Palestinian cultural identity, and cultivate local artistic talent. The center has created the infrastructure for the rejuvenation of cultural life in Palestine; conserves and revives the traditional Palestinian handcrafts that have been slowing dying out; provides the needed vocational training and job creation for young people; and encourages human productivity and creative skills that enable people through their own work. (Email: [email protected])
The Melia Shop ([email protected]) is a project of the Arab Orthodox Society which sponsors several women’s needlework coops throughout the West Bank and E. Jerusalem. The work of these women is brought together for sale at the Melia Shop, a Fair Trade shop, in the Old Jerusalem. Because it is difficult for these women to get their needlework supplies and to turn in their completed projects, representatives of AOS go to the villages to collect the finished projects and bring new supplies.
The Arab Women's Union (www.bethawu.org; then click on “store”) has a shop in Bethlehem. This shop brings together the creations of needle workers from all over the area. Pal Craftaid worked with this group for many years selling their beautiful work. (You may also email to [email protected]).
The Il Bambino Shop (www.ilbambino.org) located in Manger Square in Bethlehem supplied Pal Craftaid with the olive wood sculptures for 25+ years. This is a family-owned business of many generations. In the past, many workers were employed to produce the creations of the artists; however, in recent years due to the massive reduction of tourists, it is mostly members of the extended Giacamen family who produce all of the work. (Email: [email protected])
The Al-Kahf Arts & Crafts Center (www.annadwa.org) in Bethlehem is a part of the Dar al-Kalima College in Bethlehem. It’s mission is to revive the local community’s sense of beauty, strengthen Palestinian cultural identity, and cultivate local artistic talent. The center has created the infrastructure for the rejuvenation of cultural life in Palestine; conserves and revives the traditional Palestinian handcrafts that have been slowing dying out; provides the needed vocational training and job creation for young people; and encourages human productivity and creative skills that enable people through their own work. (Email: [email protected])