LOCAL HANDICRAFTS FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

HDIF's Easter decorations collection is the biggest ever, that features wooden crosses and eggs, knitted and felt eggs, the Easter Bunny and more! This gorgeous collection has been inspired by the Buy Armenian movement that took hold during the holiday season. "We were thinking about the next big holiday and wanted to be ready with our handmade, fair traded handicrafts," stated Tim Straight, HDIF founder and executive director.

However, the popularity of the Easter collection has extended beyond the Buy Armenian movement.  Easter products have been shipped to Belgium, Australia, Denmark, and the U.S. This new product line has actively employed producer partners in Koghb, Berd, and Yerevan who have created innovative and unique designs.

HDIF's producer, Syrian-born, Maral Berberian is working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Yerevan to make Easter products for UNHCR's MADE51 project. MADE51 brings beautiful products to the global marketplace by collaborating with refugee artisan groups and local social enterprise partners. Maral is originally from Aleppo, Syria. She learned embroidery techniques from her grandmother. When she lived Aleppo, embroidery wasn’t her business, but she has start a business with other embroiderers in Yerevan. 

"Beyond Beautiful" WFTO Project Engages HDIF Artisans

"Beyond Beautiful" is an initiative organized by the World Fair Trade Organization.  It's a physical and digital exhibition supported with dynamic graphics, film and voice. Recently, HDIF learned that the products it has submitted for this unique exhibition, natural wool egg ornaments and pillow covers, have passed to the next level of consideration. 

The producer partners involved in this project are Kenats Tun and the Goris Women's Resource Foundation. Kenats Tun was founded in 1996 and teaches classes in the various fields of the arts to support Armenians in disadvantaged regions as well as to promote traditional crafts. Cultural Director Lala Mneyan is the driving force behind HDIF's partnership with Kenats Tun. The Goris Women's Development Resource Center is led by Executive Director Ruzanna Torozyan and has been an HDIF producer partner in 2010.  The Foundation empowers women of southern Armenia in their political, economic and social life, and are best known as the makers of HDIF's mini animals. 

The eye-catching motifs are inspired by the wrought iron 'Gates of Goris'. The idea for replicating the 'Gates of Goris' project emanated from the Smithsonian Museum's My Armenia project.  In addition to using natural fibers, the egg ornaments and pillow covers are embellished with traditional embroidery techniques that showcase Armenia's cultural heritage.

Products selected will be high quality statement pieces embodying the best of design, the best of a technique, product type or material. Each piece should speak for itself - encompassing the story of “Beyond Beautiful” - pieces that showcase artisans as masters of their craft and champions of their trade. 

International Women's Day

International Women's DayHDIF is partnering with the World Fair Trade Organization to build up member engagement around the issue of domestic violence.  A special Women's Day campaign will run March 1-8 to bring attention to developing relationships with artisans who are survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. Fair Trade fights for equality, women’s rights. and gender justice. People across this movement #ChooseToChallenge barriers and injustice. #WomenOfFairTrade

Links:

• Easter collection
• Women of Fair Trade choose to challenge inequality