RAFIF ESLEEM

Gaza- Every day, more Gazan women have participated in the labor force to achieve their economic independence. Mona al-Shawa is one of these women. She runs a store called “Table Art” in the city, selling handicrafts and jewelry made by women using silver, gemstones, copper, and strings. “We have a table here and women gather around it to design jewelry and handicrafts. This table is a table for women to display their talents,” she told NuJINHA.

Her journey began when she travelled to Egypt

Speaking about how she decided to open her store, Mona al-Shawa said, “I travelled to Egypt and found many types of beads and raw materials suitable to be used to make more beautiful jewelry than imported ones at affordable price. I bought everything in Egypt to make jewelry and handicrafts. Then, the people around me were impressed by the handicrafts and jewelry made by me. This encouraged me to start such a project. Opening my store took several months because I faced some official obstacles.”

She took courses from a Russian woman

Noting that she held several courses for young women to teach them how to design jewelry and make handicrafts after opening her store, Mona al-Shawa said, “I learned how to design jewelry by watching YouTube videos. But I needed a trainer to learn how to design jewelry very well. So, I took an online course from a Russian woman named Sasha. She helped me to learn how to use different methods. Now, I am a professional designer.”

“We develop our imagination”

Mona al-Shawa did not open her store just for herself. Her aim in opening the store is to support young women to achieve their economic independence. Pointing out that the loom they use in the store is an old heritage tool that has been used since the era of the Canaanites, Mona al-Shawa told us how they design jewelry, saying, “We first decide which colors and materials we will use. We exchange ideas with each other on how we can design more beautiful jewelry. Thus, we develop our imagination.”

High price of materials

Speaking about the challenges faced by her due to the high price of law materials, Mona al-Shawa said that the high price of law materials affect the sale price of jewelry. “For this reason, we try to buy raw materials in Palestine.”

“This store is a sociable place for us”

Afnan Omar, one of the young women being engaged in the project. Stating that she first took the course held by Mona al-Shawa in order to learn how to design jewelry, Afran Omer said that she decided to be a part of the project because the project develops her talent. “We gather around the Table Art and reveal our talents. This store is a sociable place for us and a place of production.”