With the aim of supporting Syrian women artisans, Souq Fann, in collaboration with Syria Livelihoods Program (SLP), funded by USAID, trained and mentored women artisans in Malikiyah City in Northeast Syria.
Through the training, these women produced intricate designs through which they were able to create a path to a sustainable income and improved livelihood conditions.
These products are a reflection of the hard work and dedication that these women artisans have put into their craft, although they were faced with many challenges including not having money to buy materials or equipment, combined with the horrors of the conflict, they have endured, preserved, and made sure that they reflected that in their products. Out of those ambitions, the "Syrian Touches" brand was born to be a mark of resilience and perseverance of these women.
Through Syrian Touches, we present you with handicrafts made by Syrian women who have turned their hardships into opportunities and their tribulations into triumphs."
One of the jewelry and accessories makers within the "Syrian Touches" brand, is a mother to a one-year-old girl and has grown to love making accessories since she was a child, learning from her own mother. This craftswoman has, through love and commitment, turned this hobby into a source of income with dedication and recent artisan training.
The simple design for an accessory made of beads - which is her favorite material in the accessory making – takes her between five to seven hours to develop. These hours reflect the thought behind this creative woman's design process and the intricacies that show her passion for the craft. She was inspired by her Kurdish heritage and flag, which to her mean vibrancy and resilience. She also draws inspiration from the lively natural environment around her, which she reflects in her choice of colors, the size, and the style of the beads and thread used to produce such elaborate accessories.
Despite the challenges that this innovative woman faces in sourcing raw materials and supplies for her designs, she has never let these financial hardships diminish her passion for the craft. This craftswoman hopes for a future where she opens her own exhibit, through which she will display and sell her products, share her passion and culture, and improve life for herself and her daughter.
With the aim of supporting Syrian women artisans,