About Us
In 1997, a small handful of women gathered together in a tiny kitchen in the remote developing country of Moldova. Each woman came to the table with a burning desire to do something to create an income for her family. In a country where there is very little work, that is just the one thing that drew these women together. Rather than feel sorry for themselves or protest to a government that wouldn't hear them or take up arms, the women chose to take up their needles and thread and do what women have done for centuries. Together they developed a true cottage industry composed of one coordinator and all artisans. As a group, they decided to create one-of-a-kind pieces of art. These gifted and talented women share their time-consuming, meticulous art with the world in the hope of creating a better future for both their country and their families.
Our primary goal is to provide a positive and productive outlet for the many talented and skilled women in Moldova - an outlet that will help them survive from day to day. This creative project provides work and self-esteem for the women involved. Our numbers have grown in artisans from 4 to 20 in just 3 short years. Within each stitch, each loop and each piece of chipped wood is a story: a story of courage, strength, faith and hope.
Profits
All proceeds go to the person who stitched the sampler, knit the socks, hooked the rug or did the chip carvings. These items were hand-made by Moldovan women as their only source of income. They would not accept charity. They did accept the opportunity to be creative and productive. Our group is composed of unemployed teachers, engineers, a college professor, factory workers and retired people, each one just wanting the dignity of work in order to survive.
The Country of Moldova
Moldova is a small developing country, located between Romania and Ukraine, where trading and bartering are a way of life. A person working in a shoe factory is paid with a pair of shoes. Buildings and streets hold bullet-riddled reminders of a civil war from just a few years ago. Jobs are very scarce. Electricity is turned off 6 hours a day. At present, there is no hot water and inflation is rampant.
Donating Materials and Supplies
We are constantly seeking materials in order to continue our project. Donations of the following items are greatly appreciated.- 100% wool fabric (Scraps of material or old wool clothing)
- Embroidery floss
- Linen that looks hand woven (old or new)
- Old wood picture frames of any size
- 4 ply Yarn