"About 90 percent of our sales come from Fair Trade Egypt. It is truly the foundation of our operations and our success." Bassma, artisan supervisor.

Around 900 women from nine isolated Bedouin villages of North Sinai participate in this initiative. Through this cooperation, FTE has managed to expose the consumer to artisan goods that would have otherwise remained completely out of reach, because of the geographical location of Al Arish, and also because of the fact that, culturally, Bedouin women rarely leave their homes, let alone their communities.

This artisan group, which was established in 1990, allows us to take a peak into one of the Bedouins’ most relevant and visually stunning events, their weddings. Our artisans have taken the image of young women’s wedding dresses, have let their imagination run wild, and have managed to apply these ancestral motifs to items that we all need in our daily lives. At FTE you can find their intricate 100% cotton cross-stitching in traditional Bedouin hues on everything from pillowcases, mirrors, scrunchies, purses, wallets, eyeglass cases to stunning shawls! The amount of work that goes into every inch of these masterful goods will astonish you, while the saturated cherries, yellows and indigos give a unique touch to your home or personal style.

The work at Women Income Generation & Training of Al Arish allows these Bedouin women to safe keep their century-old skills, as they ensure a livelihood for their daughters, their families and their communities. Our artisans are able to spend a few hours each day working on their stitching from home, which guarantees them a steady income without shunning their children’s upbringing. The amount of detail in the fine cross-stitching determines the monetary worth of each item.

Give your ponytail a Bedouin flare with this embroidered scrunchy from the North Sinai town of Al Arish. The embroiderers have applied their beautifully intricate, traditional motifs to useful, everyday items like this hair accessory. The soft fabric will not snap your tresses, and the bold, bright stitching in an array of colors will undoubtedly add an unexpected touch of color and middle eastern charm to any of your outfits. The angular patterns in this scrunchy were inspired by traditional Bedouin embroideries that are commonly seen in wedding dresses and traditional apparel and home decorations throughout the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt.

Bedouin artisans from the North Sinai town of Al Arish combine traditional Bedouin motifs and colors with functional items, like this charming embroidered shawl. Stay warm with style!