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Abu Dhabi Crafts

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History of Craft

Meet the Artisans

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Abu Dhabi Crafts

With each woven palm frond or threaded design, the shared moments among these artisan communities form lasting memories in their hearts and minds. Through Abu Dhabi Crafts, these memories transcend the realm of these women into the world of the fashionably traditional habitués.

Founded on tradition and fashioned in the present, Abu Dhabi Crafts is an emblem of artistry with authenticity and originality at its core. Abu Dhabi Crafts attracts a 21st-century clientele while also preserving traditional craftsmanship. It supports the guardians and keepers of the past — the artisans. The digital boutique also connects these makers and enables new forms of dialogue, leading to innovation.

History of Craft

The traditional artisans of Abu Dhabi sourced raw materials from the desert, oases, mountains and sea to craft household items and tools. They used plants to add vivid colours and create striking artistic pieces’ integral to their life. These aesthetic values have made their way into modern everyday objects and unique collectables of the United Arab Emirates. Some of these handicrafts have also gained UNESCO recognition and are inscribed on its intangible cultural heritage lists.

Meet the Artisans

Mariam Ali Al Shehhi

Meet Mariam, a specialist in Khoos weaving

Mariam is a Khoos artisan. She learned the skill from her mother at the age of 10, in Dibba, Al Fujairah, where she was born. She recalls she could only weave four fronds when she first started, until she mastered the skill of weaving 16 fronds today. As a child, Mariam crafted her own dolls and created necklaces from seashells she used to collect. Today Mariam contributes and presents her products at events and festivals, and is one of the skilled artisans working at House of Artisans at Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi.


Afra Saeed Al Mansoori

Meet Afra, a specialist in Sadu weaving

Afra is a Sadu artisan, yarn snipper and dyer. She learned this traditional craft from her mother, aunts and neighbours in Al Dhafra Region where she was born. Afra is the middle child of five siblings, growing up Afra lived a simple Bedouin childhood, caring for the livestock, and doing daily chores such as cleaning and cooking. She now has seven children, and is teaching her daughters spinning and fluffing wool.


Haleema Ali Al Shehhi

Haleema is a Talli artisan, she learned the craft from family when she was 12. Growing up in Dibba, Fujairah.She recalls one of her favourite memories growing up was collecting dates from the palm with her siblings. Her brothers would climb palm trees to pick the dates, while Haleema and her sisters would clean the dates and store them in Khoos baskets. Today Haleema is skilled Talli artisan, and sews beautiful Kandooras (Traditional dresses) for the women in the family.

Featured Products

Product Category:

  • Fashion
  • Accessories
  • Homeware
  • Raw Materials
  • Stationery
  • Tech & Travel
  • Souvenirs

Range:
  • Traditional
  • Modern Traditional

Craft & Material:
  • Al-Sadu
  • Khoos
  • Talli
  • Gargoor

See all products below:

Al-Sadu Bookmark


Simple

Simple

Uwairjan

Uwairjan

Sheyarah

Sheyarah

Artist name Designed by House of Artisans
Color Earth tones
Sea tones
Earth & Sea tones
Pattern Simple
Uwairjan
Sheyarah
Size (S/M/L/XL) N/A
Shoe Size (EU) N/A
Dimension (metric size) 5 x 22 cm
Product description Bookmark woven by Abu Dhabi artisans using traditional Al-Sadu weaving techniques.
  Al-Sadu is a traditional form of weaving practised by Bedouin women in the United Arab Emirates. Using the wool of sheep, camels and goats, women create beautiful and distinctive designs rich with geometrical patterns that often reflect both social identity and the surrounding environment.

Al-Sadu Coaster


Simple

Simple

Uwairjan

Uwairjan

Sheyarah

Sheyarah

Artist name Designed by House of Artisans
Color Earth tones
Sea tones
Earth & Sea tones
Pattern Simple
Uwairjan
Sheyarah
Size (S/M/L/XL) N/A
Shoe Size (EU) N/A
Dimension (metric size) 10 x 14 cm
Product description Coaster woven by Abu Dhabi artisans using traditional Al-Sadu weaving techniques.
  Al-Sadu is a traditional form of weaving practised by Bedouin women in the United Arab Emirates. Using the wool of sheep, camels and goats, women create beautiful and distinctive designs rich with geometrical patterns that often reflect both social identity and the surrounding environment.

Al-Sadu T-shirt


Artist name Designed by House of Artisans
Color Earth tones
Sea tones
Earth & Sea tones
Pattern Simple
Uwairjan
Sheyarah
Size (S/M/L/XL) S
M
L
XL
Product description T-shirt with a pocket woven by Abu Dhabi artisans using traditional Al-Sadu weaving techniques.
  Al-Sadu is a traditional form of weaving practised by Bedouin women in the United Arab Emirates. Using the wool of sheep, camels and goats, women create beautiful and distinctive designs rich with geometrical patterns that often reflect both social identity and the surrounding environment.

Eye Mask


Simple

Simple

Artist name Designed by House of Artisans
Color Earth tones
Sea tones
Earth & Sea tones
Pattern Simple
Product description Eye mask with Al-Sadu strap woven by Abu Dhabi artisans using traditional Al-Sadu weaving techniques.
  Al-Sadu is a traditional form of weaving practised by Bedouin women in the United Arab Emirates. Using the wool of sheep, camels and goats, women create beautiful and distinctive designs rich with geometrical patterns that often reflect both social identity and the surrounding environment.


Luggage Tag


Simple

Simple

Artist name Designed by House of Artisans
Color Earth tones
Sea tones
Earth & Sea tones
Pattern Simple
Dimension (metric size) 7 x 11.5 cm (without strap)
Product description Luggage tag with Al-Sadu strap woven by Abu Dhabi artisans using traditional Al-Sadu weaving techniques.
  Al-Sadu is a traditional form of weaving practised by Bedouin women in the United Arab Emirates. Using the wool of sheep, camels and goats, women create beautiful and distinctive designs rich with geometrical patterns that often reflect both social identity and the surrounding environment.

Passport Cover


Passport Cover

Passport Cover

Passport Cover Inside

Passport Cover Inside

Artist name Designed by House of Artisans
Color Earth tones
Sea tones
Earth & Sea tones
Pattern Simple
Dimension (metric size) 9 x 14.5cm
Product description Passport cover with Al-Sadu detail woven by Abu Dhabi artisans using traditional Al-Sadu weaving techniques.
  Al-Sadu is a traditional form of weaving practised by Bedouin women in the United Arab Emirates. Using the wool of sheep, camels and goats, women create beautiful and distinctive designs rich with geometrical patterns that often reflect both social identity and the surrounding environment.

Khoos Coaster


Khoos Coaster

Khoos Coaster

Artist name Designed by House of Artisans
Color Undyed
Dyed
Pattern N/A
Dimension (metric size) 10cm diameter
Product description Round Khoos coaster woven by Abu Dhabi artisans using palm fronds.
  Khoos involves the weaving or braiding together of date palm fronds to form an object. While the products made serve a functional purpose, the skills used, and colours chosen provide elements of personal artistry.

Khoos Placemat


Khoos Placemat

Khoos Placemat

Artist name Designed by House of Artisans
Color Undyed
Dyed
Pattern N/A
Dimension (metric size) 38cm diameter
Product description Round Khoos placemat woven by Abu Dhabi artisans using palm fronds.
  Khoos involves the weaving or braiding together of date palm fronds to form an object. While the products made serve a functional purpose, the skills used, and colours chosen provide elements of personal artistry.


Khoos Basket


Khoos Basket

Khoos Basket

Artist name Designed by House of Artisans
Color Undyed
Dyed
Pattern N/A
Size (S/M/L/XL) XS
S
M
L
Dimension (metric size) XS: 8cm diameter, 8cm height
S: 15cm diameter, 12 cm height
M: 23cm diameter, 15cm height
L: 30cm diameter, 20cm height
Product description Round Khoos basket woven by Abu Dhabi artisans using palm fronds.
  Khoos involves the weaving or braiding together of date palm fronds to form an object. While the products made serve a functional purpose, the skills used, and colours chosen provide elements of personal artistry.


Al-Sadu Bag Strap


Simple

Simple

Uwairjan

Uwairjan

Sheyarah

Sheyarah

Artist name Designed by House of Artisans
Color Earth tones
Sea tones
Earth & Sea tones
Pattern Simple
Uwairjan
Sheyarah
Dimension (metric size) 5 x 95 cm (excluding hardware)
Product description Bag strap woven by Abu Dhabi artisans using traditional Al-Sadu weaving techniques, with camel leather detailing.
  Al-Sadu is a traditional form of weaving practised by Bedouin women in the United Arab Emirates. Using the wool of sheep, camels and goats, women create beautiful and distinctive designs rich with geometrical patterns that often reflect both social identity and the surrounding environment.

Al-Sadu Placemat


Simple

Simple

Uwairjan

Uwairjan

Sheyarah

Sheyarah

Artist name Designed by House of Artisans
Color Earth tones
Sea tones
Earth & Sea tones
Pattern Simple
Uwairjan
Sheyarah
Dimension (metric size) 30 x 50 cm
Product description Placemat woven by Abu Dhabi artisans using traditional Al-Sadu weaving techniques.
  Al-Sadu is a traditional form of weaving practised by Bedouin women in the United Arab Emirates. Using the wool of sheep, camels and goats, women create beautiful and distinctive designs rich with geometrical patterns that often reflect both social identity and the surrounding environment.

Tech Sleeve


Simple

Simple

Uwairjan

Uwairjan

Sheyarah

Sheyarah

Artist name Designed by House of Artisans
Color Earth tones
Sea tones
Earth & Sea tones
Pattern Simple
Uwairjan
Sheyarah
Size (S/M/L/XL) 13”
15”
(Macbook sizes)
Product description Tech sleeve with Al-Sadu detail woven by Abu Dhabi artisans using traditional Al-Sadu weaving techniques.
  Al-Sadu is a traditional form of weaving practised by Bedouin women in the United Arab Emirates. Using the wool of sheep, camels and goats, women create beautiful and distinctive designs rich with geometrical patterns that often reflect both social identity and the surrounding environment.

Al-Sadu Pouch


Simple

Simple

Uwairjan

Uwairjan

Sheyarah

Sheyarah

Artist name Designed by House of Artisans
Color Earth tones
Sea tones
Earth & Sea tones
Pattern Simple
Uwairjan
Sheyarah
Size (S/M/L/XL) S
M
L
Shoe Size (EU) N/A
Dimension (metric size) S: 17 x 12cm
M: 19 x 15cm
L: 24 x 18cm
Product description Pouch woven by Abu Dhabi artisans using traditional Al-Sadu weaving techniques, with tasseled zipper.
  Al-Sadu is a traditional form of weaving practised by Bedouin women in the United Arab Emirates. Using the wool of sheep, camels and goats, women create beautiful and distinctive designs rich with geometrical patterns that often reflect both social identity and the surrounding environment.

Al-Sadu Belt


Simple

Simple

Uwairjan

Uwairjan

Sheyarah

Sheyarah

Artist name Designed by House of Artisans
Color Earth tones
Sea tones
Earth & Sea tones
Pattern Simple
Uwairjan
Sheyarah
Size (S/M/L/XL) S-M
L-XL
Shoe Size (EU) N/A
Dimension (metric size) S-M: 5 x 150 cm
L-XL: 5 x 180cm
Product description Belt woven by Abu Dhabi artisans using traditional Al-Sadu weaving techniques.
  Al-Sadu is a traditional form of weaving practised by Bedouin women in the United Arab Emirates. Using the wool of sheep, camels and goats, women create beautiful and distinctive designs rich with geometrical patterns that often reflect both social identity and the surrounding environment.


Contact Info

For more information, please reach out to us through the contact details:

Info@abudhabicrafts.ae
02 6976400