Homemade artifacts cleaning products cosmetics food and jewelry were amongst a number of items which were on display and up for sale in Gaza’s fifth Hands of Gold exhibition.
Dozens of artists gathered in al-Nuseirat Services Club hall in central Gaza to show their products and handicrafts in a festive atmosphere.
Palestinian creativity
The products were arranged carefully on wooden stands.
Etaf Hamad director of Zeina Center for Training and Development said that Hands of Gold exhibition presents examples of Palestinian creativity and talent in the besieged Gaza Strip.
“We established the exhibition five years ago. It has been a challenging journey and we have faced many difficulties but we continued to work with the support of the Ministry of Youth” she said.
The exhibition displayed various types of handmade items produced by small projects operating in different provinces in the Gaza Strip.
The participants offered their products for sale at discounted prices. Gifts were also given to customers to encourage them to buy and visit all corners.
Amira al-Hamayda one of the participants said while standing next to her paintings and drawings with their bright colors and stunning natural scenes “I like to paint nature. I love nature and the feelings it raises inside me.”
Hands of Gold
Mohammed Shallah 30 was busy putting the finishing touches on a wooden piece of art. His work varied between carved wooden products and jewelry especially beads and bracelets.
Shallah said “I don’t have a job. But I carve and paint on wood and make beads and metalwork for decoration. I participate in exhibitions and try to sell by products online too. I face difficulties in providing raw materials.”
When the PIC reporter approached her Hanan Abu Hamda was embroidering a headscarf with beautiful Palestinian traditional patterns. Next to her was a table holding pieces of clothes of different sizes with various embroidery patterns.
“I have a shop where I sell my work” Abu Hamda said “I’ve been doing this for 30 years and I used to export my products abroad. But now the economic situation is bad and marketing is weak. Our work is determined by the quality of raw materials and customer requests. I came today to present my work.”
Health products
Ghada Rajab came to the exhibition to display her homemade cleaning products including soap and detergents.
Rajab said that she went through many stages until she came up with healthy safe and guaranteed recipes to make kitchen cleaners.
“There are women who are hurt by the chemicals used in detergents so I make healthier and more affordable products. I sell them online or at exhibitions” she added.
As for Haj Salmani he expressed his happiness with his product: natural vinegar which holds his father’s name. “He was the first to teach me self-resilience” Haj Salmani explained. He sells apple cider vinegar grape vinegar and beet vinegar.
Haj Salmani said “My products are sold at cheap prices. I offer pure vinegar with a quality that I think is high. I’ve been making vinegar for 20 years now. I stumbled a lot but now I’ve reached a great quality and I have regular customers.”
