Embracing ‘vibrant’ Middle East artisans
We love taking every opportunity to showcase products from the Middle East, as the region is at the heart of everything we do.
So says Dan O’Callaghan, head of trading at Embrace the Middle East, exhibitors at CRE Midlands 23.
‘Hand-carved olive wood products and olive-related produce are key items which we can source from the area,’ he explains, ‘but we’ve also found some amazing local artisans producing beautiful handcrafted and hand-painted ceramics and glassware.’
Bethlehem Fair Trade Artisans (BFTA) offers artisans the opportunity to showcase their handicrafts for fair wages. The BFTA Craft Village is based in the heart of Beit Sahour, a suburb of east Jerusalem.
‘It’s vibrant, lively and brimming with a sense of community,’ says Dan.
The BFTA launched around 2009 and has grown exponentially. It supports 53 family-owned olive wood carving workshops, ceramics and glass workshops, and around 50 women’s co-operatives working in embroidery, basket weaving and jewellery. Several groups of artisans with disabilities create felt and wool products and handmade cards.
‘We’re so excited to be able to stock these beautiful items and show them at CRE Midlands 23, many crafted by families who have passed on their skills through the generations.’
• Embrace the Middle East are on stand E3 at CRE Midlands 23
Book your ticket for CRE Midlands 2023 here from as little as £3
Organisations looking to book a stand should contact James Batterbee 0161 250 2306 (E: james@creonline.co.uk) or Carol Malpass 0161 250 2467 (E: carol@creonline.co.uk)
Click to view the latest floorplan and price list for available stands
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