Sunbula

19/09/2024

Published amidst the ongoing genocide, the 2nd edition of our Seventeen Techniques book is dedicated to the embroiderers and craftspeople of Gaza, home to highly skilled artisans who have kept alive traditional crafts for generations. Our partner organizations in Gaza – Sulafa Embroidery Centre and Atfaluna Crafts – have been destroyed, with their staff and artisans displaced. In light of these circumstances, this second edition emphasizes the importance of teaching these embroidery techniques to future Palestinian generations, strengthening the sustainability of this rich cultural heritage. Read more on our new blog post, 'Timeless Stitches' https://tinyurl.com/5n84fjvj 🍉

17/09/2024

The complex beauty of Palestinian embroidery often comes from combining multiple techniques, in addition to the vibrant colors and designs. In the small corner of this century-old toub (dress) from Beit Dajan village in Jaffa area, for example, we can see 4 different techniques being applied: Tahriri (couching stitch), Tihshai (satin stitch), Sabaleh (fishbone stitch), and Tashrim (zigzag stitch for patchwork). Our Seventeen Techniques book is the first technical manual for learning these amazing stitches that are less known than the cross-stitch but equally important. Get your copy today and bring your Tatreez skills to the next level ❤🖤💚🤍 www.sunbula.org

31/08/2024

Our shop is closed today. Apologies for the inconveniences

28/07/2024

Our Seventeen Techniques book will be out next weekend, and we are honored to have the kick-off event at @جمعية إنعاش الأسرة Inash Al-Usra Society in Al-Bireh/Ramallah. Join the authors' discussion, tour Inash's amazing traditional costume collection, and support local women's craft work. We look forward to seeing you there! ❤💚🤍🖤

23/07/2024

Our Seventeen Techniques book is more than an instruction manual. Made through years and years of museum and field research, it features the history, social and cultural aspects, and stories of contemporary embroiderers --- all the things that make Palestinian embroidery what it is. If you are a lover of embroidery, or Palestine, or both, we promise this book will make you happy ❤💚 Pre-order now from sunbula.org 🤍🖤

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16/07/2024

The wait is over! We're happy to announce that the 2nd edition of our 'Seventeen Embroidery Techniques from Palestine: An Instruction Manual' will be released on August 3rd, and pre-orders are now open at our online shop. Available in both hard and soft copy, this updated edition explores a curated collection of embroidery methods used throughout Historic Palestine, showcasing rare and forgotten stitching techniques like Tahriri (couching) and Manajel (binding), making it an invaluable resource for both seasoned artisans and enthusiastic beginners. Pre-order now at sunbula.org.

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14/05/2024

We are utterly heartbroken by the news from our partner Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children, Gaza that they lost Hasham Ghazal, their co-founder and the craft production supervisor. May he rest in peace. His memory will stay with us in the beautiful crafts he created. Our deepest condolences to his friends, family and colleagues at Atfaluna.

تودع أسرة أطفالنا اليوم العزيز هاشم غزال بالكثير من الألم، الشخصية الراسخة في جمعية أطفالنا للصم، والذي غادرنا نتيجة هذه الحرب على قطاع غزة.
هاشم، الذي يبلغ من العمر 58 عامًا من ذوي الإعاقة السمعية، من مؤسسي أطفالنا، وقف كمصباح يضيء الطريق للإلهام، متجسدًا في الإرادة والأمل الثابتين للأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة ومن دون الإعاقة.
ناشط ومدافع قوي عن حقوق الأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة، جسد هاشم الصمود خلال فترة عمله التي استمرت 30 عامًا، متحدًيا كل المعيقات وعارضًا مواهب لا حدود لها لدى الأشخاص ذوي الإعاقة للعالم. كمشرف لإنتاج الحرف اليدوية ومدرب في النجارة، قام بنقل خبرته للعديد من الشباب، وتنمية مهاراتهم في النجارة وصناعة الأثاث، وبالتالي فتح الطريق نحو كرامة العيش ومهن واعدة للشباب ذوي الإعاقة ودون الإعاقة.
يغادرنا هاشم اليوم تاركًا وراءه ثروة من الذكريات الغالية والدروس الحياتية الثمينة. على الرغم من رحيله، سوف تبقى روحه محفورة في قلوبنا، ونتعهد بالمضي قدمًا في القضية النبيلة التي دافع عنها بشغف.

Bidding farewell to our beloved Hasham Ghazal, a stalwart figure at the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children. Hashem, aged 58 and deaf, co-founder of Atfaluna, stood as a beacon of inspiration, embodying unwavering enthusiasm, triumph, and hope for both persons with and without disabilities.
A fearless champion for the rights of individuals with disabilities, Hashem epitomized resilience over his 30-year tenure, defying deafness and showcasing the boundless talents within the persons with disabilities to the world. Serving as the supervisor of crafts production and a carpentry trainer, he imparted his expertise to countless youths, fostering their skills in woodworking and furniture making, thereby paving the path to a dignified livelihood and promising careers.
Hashem leaves behind a wealth of cherished memories and invaluable life lessons. Though he may have departed, his spirit remains etched in our hearts, and we vow to perpetuate the noble cause he ardently championed.

01/05/2024

Atfaluna Society, our partner in Gaza, has been working nonstop to care for displaced children and families despite the unimaginable challenges. We have been supporting their incredible work through our Gaza Emergency Aid crowdfunding, with hundreds of individual donations from around the world. Please join hands with us to send direct support to Gaza. Donate from here ->
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/gaza-emergency-aid

27/04/2024

Introducing our new Mother-of-Pearl jewelry collection 🤍 This very intricate work of art is made by a handful of master artisans from the craft families in the Bethlehem area. Palestine being an ancient pilgrim destination, the Bethlehemites have been creating the Mother-of-Pearl art for visitors and exports for centuries. Fair trade organizations like us and our partner Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative work to provide livelihood to the artisans so that these special skills and knowledge will continue to thrive. Get yourself a piece and show off this unique heritage of Palestine ❤️💚🖤🤍

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15/10/2023

We have launched a crowdfunding to send direct aid to our Gaza partners: Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children, Gaza and Sulafa Embroidery Centre . We have been in touch with the staff of both organizations since October 7, and their situation is extremely dire. The buildings of both organizations have been damaged in the bombings, many of them have lost their homes, have been injured and some lost their loved ones. The money we raise will be send directly to both organizations to help them provide the most pressing humanitarian needs of their families - food, water, medicine, hygienic supplies, blankets - or help them rebuild homes and buildings. Please share this widely and donate if you can. They need all the help we could give and need us to stand with them.
Donate now: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/gaza-emergency-aid/

14/10/2023

Dear friends, we have just launched the Gaza emergency aid crowdfunding. We are sending direct aid to our 2 partners there: Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children, Gaza and Sulafa Embroidery Centre. We've been in touch with them daily since the current crisis started, and they are living through an unimaginable catastrophe. The amount raised will be spilt equally between the 2 groups to be used for the most pressing humanitarian needs of their families - food, medicine, blankets, hygienic supplies - or for rebuilding homes and building. Let's do what each of us can do to stand with humanity. Please donate or share it widely! Thank you!

This campaign aims to deliver urgent aid directly to Sunbula's partner organizations in Gaza - Atfaluna Society and Sulafa Embroidery Centre. These groups provide income generation opportunities and critical services to hundreds of marginalized people, including women, refugees, and persons with hea...

12/09/2023

We are rolling with Tahriri! So excited with our soon-to-be-unveiled collection by Bethlehem-based designer, the one and the only ❤️ This is a result of our training program this summer at the Women Child Care Society, where a new group of embroiderers are now ready to stitch these beautiful creations 🪡🩷💜💚

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