All Inspired Gifts will be MATCHED* to send 3X the assistance to children.
* Gifts received after the match amount has been met or after the deadline can be used for the Donor Match Fund.
Details
An symbol of passion and commitment, a filigree pomegranate swings from a polished sterling silver chain crafted by Maral Shohmahlian. As an expert in Aintab embroidery techniques, typical of the Armenian region, the artisan embellishes woven linen with hand embroidered motifs, creating a charming look. The necklace is sure to draw compliments.
My primary focus lies in preserving and promoting culture. 'Preserve and spread Armenian culture' serves as my motto.
"I was born into a family that migrated from Western Armenia to Syria, surrounded by love and cooperation. My parents,... who were respected figures in the Armenian community, prioritized my personal and educational development. From a young age, I felt the warmth of my grandmothers' embrace as they shared stories, traditions, and their expertise in embroidery. Sitting beside them, I would grasp the needle and thread, attempting to imitate their delicate movements, all the while absorbing their wisdom, life experiences, and cultural heritage.
"My fascination with Armenian and international culture, particularly embroidery, began during my childhood. I received my foundational knowledge from my grandmother, who migrated from Aintap in Western Armenia to Aleppo. As I grew older, I honed my skills in Armenian embroidery and explored other art forms through self-study and various courses. These included felting, miniature painting, carpet weaving, tapestry, pottery, stained glass, and more. Combining old and new techniques, along with diverse materials, I started creating a wide range of products such as jewelry, accessories, clothing, bags, shoes, Christmas tree decorations, and Easter toys.
"My craft embodies a vital and ancient aspect of Armenian and global culture—embroidery and tapestry. My products are entirely handmade, utilizing natural raw materials like cotton and wool. I adorn my creations using ancestral embroidery techniques. While upholding tradition, I present my work with an innovative approach. I have the opportunity to disseminate Armenian culture through my creations, inspiring love and interest among the modern generation.
"The production process remains faithful to the traditions of the Karakan people. I treat natural wool with water and soap, transforming it into garments, shoes, bags, and more. Additionally, I breathe new life into clay pots and jewelry through embroidery. Currently, I only utilize sewing machines for sewing bags and pillows.
"My inspiration stems from the richness of Armenian culture, including ancient embroidery patterns, sculptures, cross stones, miniature paintings, nature, music, museum artifacts, fashion, travels, imagination, and family memories—both the positive and negative aspects. Generational talent and God's grace further enrich our creative world and imagination. With a comprehensive understanding of Armenian and various foreign embroidery techniques, my unwavering desire to learn has allowed me to master different art forms and continuously innovate, positioning myself as a leader and source of inspiration among my peers.
"My primary focus is preserving and promoting Armenian culture. 'Preserve and spread Armenian culture' serves as my motto, and I have dedicated myself to passing on our skills to anyone interested. By offering training courses, I pass on the legacy of our ancestors to the modern generation, giving them not only craft skills but also the tranquility and harmony that embroidery provides. I have been invited by prominent public cultural organizations, associations, and museums in Armenia to train masters or university students.
"My friends and family often describe me as a hardworking, proactive, creative, skilled, dedicated, caring, modest, forgiving, and benevolent individual. I acknowledge that I possess a drop of knowledge in our field and that diligence, willpower, a thirst for knowledge, and an infinite imagination continually drive me to improve. The words of Shiraz resonate with me: 'Learn a craft, don't be delicate; craft is a golden bracelet for a person.' My philosophy revolves around believing in our abilities, having faith in the realization of dreams, and dedicating ourselves to the work we love, while remaining rooted to nurture growth and blossoming.
“NOVICA gives us, as artisans, the opportunity to spread our creative manifestations of ancient traditional handcrafts all over the world. We are thankful for NOVICA’s support to improve our sales, which also helps create new job opportunities for more Armenian artisans. For me personally as an artisan, embroidery is one of the most important parts of Armenian culture. My goal is to share and make our embroidery traditions known to the international community."
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 4 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
Turn your gift-giving into an art form with our new premium gift wrapping service!
Delivering a beautiful handmade treasure, wrapped by hand in exquisite packaging will make your gifts truly unforgettable.
Above all, it's EASY! Just select the premium gift wrapping option during checkout and we do the rest. No more last minute worries about presentation - your gifts will be the best dressed every time!
Most premium gift wrap is only $3.95 - $5.95 per item.
UNICEF Market offers triple win pricing, where YOU the consumer, Children from around the world, and Artisans all benefit.
WIN # 1 You Save!
Handmade goods from developing nations usually pass through a series of intermediaries before being purchased by retail consumers. Each of these intermediaries adds cost to the product, and that cost is passed on to the customer. UNICEF USA partnered with NOVICA, who works directly with artists through their regional offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America, allowing purchases from UNICEF Market to go directly from the artisans to fulfilling customer orders. By skipping steps in the traditional supply chain, you can buy high quality items for less than the regular retail prices.
WIN # 2 Children Benefit!
Each item purchased from UNICEF Market will benefit UNICEF's programs that provide lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more to children in need.
You can learn more about UNICEF's work, on About UNICEF.
WIN # 3 Artisans Profit!
UNICEF Market artisans set their own prices and control their own businesses. UNICEF Market offers artisans a free platform to sell their work throughout the United States.
