local crafts Archives

ARTE for Artisans of the Emirates – A Middle East Craftsperson’s Extravaganza

Not like Istanbul’s historic Grand Bazaar, the famous Emirati souk hosted by the Artisans of the Emirates, or ARTE, is a baby – only seven years old. But it has quickly grown from its humble beginnings of about 30 “artisans” or craft exhibitors from the United Arab Emirates in the network to over 3,000. ARTE “markets” […]

Siwa Oasis and the Veiled Weavers Society

These women in the Siwa oasis near Libya are trained in the traditional craft of weaving Kleem (rugs). Tafline takes a rare inside look at their work. You might have already read about the first part of our journey where our bus kept breaking down on the road to Siwa. When our host Yehia secured […]