Baabda district

Hazmieh

L’Atelier du Vitrail – Cedre Verre

After completing her diploma in Fine Arts at the “Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts” (ALBA) in Beirut, Maya Husseini specialized in the art of glass-making and -coloring in Chartres, France, in 1985. Today, Husseini is a leading stained glass artist in Lebanon, specializing in churches, chapels, general restoration as well as household décor, such as candle holders, vases, windows, or glasses. At “L’Atelier du Vitrail – Cedre Verre”, Husseini creates unique handmade projects, objects and furniture out of colored or translucid glass, and often collaborates with entire teams of interior architects and designers. In 2005, she was among the recipients of the UNESCO Crafts Prize 2005 for the Arab States in Tunisia.

Baalbak district

Ras Baalbak

Nazih Ghadban

Nazih Ghadban was born in Ras Baalbeck in 1955. He is the youngest of a small family of three sons, and is a father of three. Nazih discovered his passion for music at an early age, and he pursued his education in music at the National Conservatory of Beirut, along with his Master's degree in philosophy from the Lebanese University in 1982. Nazih’s oud manufacturing journey started in 1979, and was born out of curiosity. The excitement of discovering the instrument he played and love pushed him to dissect the oud, investigate its sounds, read about its history, and undertake a lot of research and experiments to improve this fantastic instrument. During the past fifty years and helped by his sons Youssef and Mazen, Nazih has been on a steady learning curve, turning his instruments, the oud and the buzuk, into unique pieces of art. He has participated in many local and international expositions, from Beirut to Shanghai and Frankfurt. Time after time, the continuous improvement of the instruments is noticeable on all levels: the structure, the artistry, and the quality of sound. Nazih has succeeded in building a unique, authentic instrument, with outstanding quality that can accompany any musician throughout their life. Hence, friendship starts between the instrument, its owner and the luthier.

Matn district

Bourj Hammoud

Harry Masrojian

Harry’s craft carer began with engraving mirror and glass, before he learnt the art of metal pressing in Cyprus. In his shop on Armenia Street, Harry Masrojian sells pewter and copper frames. There, you can find a selection of frames, mirrors, pictures, religious icons, and even jewellery boxes in silver or copper that he handmakes. He uses mixed media to produce items that combine metal, cloth and paint. He is especially known for his wonderful mirror frames, and for his coffers. His designs span generations and cultures; some have a more oriental or arabesque feel, while others lean more towards a Mediterranean design.

Noubar Eskidjian

Noubar Eskidjian is an artisan specialized in copper. Copper work is not only a passion for him, but also a family craft, since his father worked with copper before him. His overcrowded workshop and his little store are located in Bourj Hammoud, which he claims is an inspiration to him, and his family, and where he works hand-in-hand with other artisans of the neighbourhood. Noubar also works with architects in Lebanon. His know-how, learnt through his father, has allowed him to develop an impeccable technique and acquire a solid experience. Through his craft, Noudar transmits notions of heritage. He also expresses the rejection of the automation of handicrafts, and of productivity as watchword over quality, social cohesion and the appreciation of well-done work.

Koura district

Ras Maska

Khan Al Saboun

Since 1480, Khan Al Saboun has been known for its success in meeting their customers’ and accommodating their different tastes. At Khan Al Saboun, a team of dedicated professionals seek to maintain the authenticity and tradition of the Khan, while acknowledging the importance of precision and innovation in producing premium soaps, oils, creams, and aromas which cater for different hair and skin types. The environmental village of Khan Al Saboun was established in order for traditional and environmental-friendly production to evolve. The drive of being in harmony with nature is what made Khan Al Saboun prosper and achieve recognition around the world. It is indeed by building on inherited recipes from his ancestors that Dr. Bader Hassoun developed new mixtures. At Khan Al Saboun, each product has its own identity and is made of 100% natural ingredients. Bader Hassoun’s family and the history of soap making in its various forms from aromatic and therapeutic soaps to essential oils, creams, and skin care products, all made naturally. The journey continued and evolved with Dr. Bader Hassoun and his family, who revived the old khan in 1990. The secret behind this success is the recipes that Dr. Bader Hassoun inherited from his ancestors, developed, and transmitted to his children with high professionalism and tastes that impress local, Arab, and foreign customers.

Chouf district

Baaqline

Khan el Kaser - Olivco

Khan El Kaser is an experienced skincare manufacturer, whose products are made with natural raw materials. The story started in 1961, when Kamal Ghannam decided to start an olive oil factory in the village Baakline. He wanted to do more than just olive oil, so he decided to broaden his expertise to soap-making, aiming to produce natural handmade soaps of quality. In 2004, the Khan el Kaser brand was born, extending into cosmetics. Khan El Kaser produces their cold pressed olive oil in a semi-automatic olive oil factory in the heart of the Baakline mountains, where olive trees are carefully cared for by landowners and farmers to produce the best-quality oil for the winter season. Using the talent and experience given from his father, Salim Ghannam tried for many sleepless nights to produce the best natural soap, so he decided to relinquish the old technique and started the cold-pressed production of soap that exceeded expectations. Today, the brand is one of the leading soapmaking company in the region, with 25 points of sales, three stores, and a presence in four different countries (UK, Canada, GCC, and soon, China). They now provide more than 30 different types of soaps; their scents include, but are not limited to: lavender, shea butter, jasmine, rose, amber, and musk. You&nbsp;can buy all their products in their shop in Baakline, but also at their boutique in the heart of Abdel Wahab street in Beirut.

Baadaran

Nazih Baz

It is not very frequent to find a traditional abaya weaver who still uses silk or wool like in olden times. Nazih Baz grew up watching his grandfather make fabric and subsequently embroidering it with gold and silver thread. His village, Baadaran, is well-known for its weaving and the mixture of different patterns and styles. Nazih inherited the family business in 1979. He handmakes abayas and other textiles using a century-old loom that involves the use of a special technique that his grandfather taught him; up to 24 different pedals are used to operate the loom. He defines his work, which he views as more than simple work, as “music where each twine has a note of its own.” Although Nazih believes in maintaining traditions, he started handcrafting ‘modern’ accessories, such as wallets, jewellery boxes, phone cases, makeup pouches, designed for young people on a budget and tourists. He also owns a guesthouse in his village of Baadaran, which provides accommodation for hikers who wish to discover and explore the fauna and flora of the Shouf region.

Batroun district

Assia

Assia Pottery

Sana Jabbour works from her pottery shop, located in a small side room of her family house in Assia, a village in the Lebanese northern mountains. It is there, sitting on a stool, that she crafts every step of her artistic process. Her workshop in the village has been opened for 7+ years now, ever since her family moved from Beirut to Assia. Sana learned her know-how from her mother. The village of Assia is well-known for its pottery. Sana makes her own clay by using soil and stones from the nearby mountains, turning it into pottery soil, or trab el fukhar, and she produces all of her pieces the traditional way. She molds the clay with her hands and a knife, polishes it with a stone, and leaves it to dry multiple times during the process. Sana refuses to produce any decorative pieces, as this kind of pottery’s main use is for cooking. It also holds some health benefits. Besides her artisan work, Sana also produces honey and a range of different mouneh, which are foods preserved in various traditional ways. Sana has also taught pottery to her husband, making him the only man in Assia who knows how to make it.

Minieh-Dannieh district

Beddawi

Golden Glass / Koubaitry Glass

Golden Glass was founded in 1949 by Mr. Hassan Koubaytari. It was a small factory producing glass containers by hand, using traditional equipment. In 1995, Koub Glass was founded as a new company; it’s a Glass &amp; Caps trading company, with more than 70 articles to offer. Each article has its own sub items with a wide range of shapes, sizes and designs of glass containers and closures. Now, after the big effort of the last two Koubaytari generations, Golden Glass and Koub Glass have become two of the leading companies of glass industry and trading in the Middle East area, and count 120 employees, 8 of whom are dedicated solely to handmade blown glass production. Each of them works the glass on a long term, for it needs a month and a half to reach the 1500 degrees celsius necessary for its melting. Indeed, even though they are specialized in the glass manufacturing industry and over the years they developed their working techniques with the help of machines, some designs remain impossible to achieve if not made by hand such as jugs, glasses, and vases. In the beginning of 2009, the company began to work towards a new project under the management of Marwan Koubaytari: exporting their products and the Lebanese tradition all over the world. They turned to the Italian market, as it is one of the most important glass producers with the oldest tradition in this sector. They started using furnaces, machines and equipment made by the most qualified Italian companies, and they were joined by an Italian team specialized in glass production. Koub Glass uses 100% recycled glass in their production, with an approximate amount of 15 tons per day. Still in this eco-responsible outlook, they have also recycled the glass shards collected after the explosion of August 4, 2020. Today, Koub Glass offers a wide variety of modern products such as gallons, bottles, jars, centerpieces, plates and many more. Their products are known all over the world, especially in Lebanon, MEA, Europe and USA.

Tripoli district

Tripoli

Sharkass soap

The Sharkass family, originally from the Caucasus, has been based in the Khan since 1803. As a boy, Mahmoud Sharkass admired the art of soap-making and enjoyed assisting his father in the production of soaps. He begged his father to allow him to leave school and, aged 13, Mahmoud took over from his father becoming the seventh generation of soapmaker in his family. Since then, Mahmoud has devoted himself to making natural soaps, made from 100% olive oil. Soapmaking has always been a family business for the Sharkasses. Mahmoud and his son, Ahmed, make the soaps, and his two daughters, Lina and Safa, are responsible for carving the soaps, as well as take care of customer service, sales, and social media presence. The ingredients are key in soapmaking, but one also needs the know-how and a lot of patience. Sharkass soap uses the traditional cold-pressed olive oil, sourced from the regions of Zgharta and Koura. Once ingredients are mixed and heated, the mix is poured into a mould to set. The bloc of soap is then cut up into squared and stacked up to dry for a month. Sharkass soap manufactures approximately 500kg of soap per month. Soap shavings that accumulate on the floor of Mahmoud’s work area are kept and re-used as natural washing powder; Mahmoud’s wife never uses commercial soap or shampoo. There are 10 different flavours to choose from, among them lavender, musk, jasmine, pine, mint, rose, and belle de nuit. Among the most popular items are soap balls, the birds and grapes soaps. The prayer beads tend to be used for decoration. Sharkass soaps are halal.

Hasbaya district

Rachaya el Fokhar

Adib Al Gharib

At 73 years old, Adib al-Gharib is one of two potters left in the village of Rashaya al-Foukhar, famous for its clayware. Adib’s father and grandfather were master potters, a profession to which he was drawn from a young age. He has been making pottery for more than 55 years. In Adib’s words, “the potter is the god and master of his own work,” explaining how he was drawn to his forefather’s profession. Clayware has several advantages over glass or plastic, he says, as it is environmentally friendly, nontoxic and keeps water cool naturally. Adib al-Gharib Gharib starts by collecting clay-rich earth from the land near the village. The mineral makeup is unique and renders a strong final product when fired. Today, his most popular designs are traditional spouted water jugs, water pipe heads, ashtrays and egg plates. Other designs, such as clay amphorae used for transporting water, have fallen out of style. Archaeological evidence, including potshards, indicates that Rashaya al-Foukhar has been producing pottery for thousands of years. Rashaya al-Foukhar’s pottery is unique, from the clay itself to the natural paint used only by village potters. Twice, initiatives have been started in the village to keep the tradition alive, but they “don’t have enough equipment,” and the projects did not last.

Haddad Cutlery

It is when the Haddad family settled in the town of Jezzine in 1770 that the traditional cutlery was born. At the time, its production consisted of army rifles, knives and steel blade swords. In 1930, the Haddad family developed it is business by creating handles with bird heads made of bones and buffalo horns. These handles were inlaid with colored bones &amp; brass and were applied to spoons, forks, knives, paper-knives, daggers, etc. The Haddad artisans are highly skilled, and their skills travel in time and make the production of these traditional crafts a family-based profession. What adds tremendous value to these crafts is this family's eye for design and style. In fact, these handicraft creations are craved in the shape of a Phoenix bird and vibrantly painted and as a proof of quality, each single piece is Stamped "S&amp;S Haddad " with the majestic Lebanese cedar. This unique traditional craft is so well regarded that it has been presented by Lebanese presidents and officials to dignitaries all over the world beginning with the Ottoman Sultans in the 18th century. These crafts hold within each piece the authentic spirit of Lebanon: History, Culture and Beauty.

Jezzine district

Lebaa

Shefaa soap

Shefaa Soaps’ ambition is to help our current society to find a qualitative and healthy lifestyle. To return to the use of natural, healthy and organic products. Their mission is to be the leader in the manufacturing and the sale of high-end and organic soaps in the Middle East and the rest of the world, by being efficient and providing quality products, according to market demands and in compliance with the norms and standards of health. Aleppo soap is one of the oldest soaps in the world. It is handmade and is composed of extra virgin olive oil and pure laurel oil. To obtain a quality soap and preserve the benefits of the used ingredients, the soap is produced during the coldest months of the year, between November and April. Made from an artisanal production and totally natural ingredients, Shefaa soaps are authentic, versatile and rich in therapeutic and dermatological virtues, offered in liquid or solid form. They are excellent for your body and help prevent all type of skin problems. For example, the Beiloun soap (Aleppo clay) and coconut oil help prevent hair loss and treats dandruff. The black cumin soap (nigella), honey or tea tree helps to heal the irritations and inflammations of your skin, eliminates pimples and problems caused by acne. Finally, soaps with rose water, almond oil or jasmine have regenerative and firming virtues. They are considered as a natural anti-wrinkle.

Saida district

Saida

Khawabi Abboud

The story begins in Saida, Lebanon back in 1930 where the “Khawabi Abboud” company was founded by Ibrahim Khalil Abboud. What began as an olive oil mill has been passed down three generations, first to his son, Albert, and is currently under the management of his grandchildren, Zahia and Ibrahim. The name of the company was inspired by the « khawabi » itself, the traditional container that stores olive oil. It dates to the 18th century and was one of the first methods to cool and store recently pressed olive oil. Because olive oil making is seasonal in nature, soap-making soon became the focus of Khawabi Abboud during the previously unprofitable months as a direct extension of our olive oil mill, thus turning them into fruitful ones. It took several years to perfect the art of soap making and develop the perfect bar of soap. The company been inspired and passionate about traditional methods for soap-making while adding a little twist every now and to refine shapes and scents. The result, the current Khawabi Abboud soap, is an aromatic one with a smooth and silky texture that moisturizes the skin, and above all, is infused with the best natural oils. In 2002, the soap making hobby turned into a small business when we started supplying Audi Museum with “baladi” soap, known as traditional soap. They started out small, selling their handmade soaps at farmers’ markets and to kind neighbors. From there, their catalog began to grow and their offerings became more creative.

Beirut district

Khandak el Ghamik

Fadi Matta

Fadi Matta is a traditional Oud maker from Lebanon, whose creations have spread throughout the world, and have been held by some of the most famous artists in the Arab world. One of the few craftsmen left creating these masterpieces in the region today, each piece Fadi makes is simply unique and custom-made to meet the most demanding requirements of artists, fans, and inspired people throughout the music community, which reflects his high level of dedication to the craft. As each Oud is hand-built, you obtain a unique piece and a unique sound every time, and with the use of the best materials, from the wood to the accessories, it is just a matter of finding the right balance between the sound and precision, and the always-present “taste”. In each oud, Fadi introduce special details that come as a natural evolution in the process of hand-making the instrument, to cope with the new techniques and requirements of the artists.

Sarafand

Khalifeh Blown Glass

In Sarafand, 14km from Saida, Khalifeh Blown Glass manufactures clear and transparent glass. The Khalifeh family has been handing down glass blowing techniques and secrets for generations, as the craft of blown glass flows through their veins. Every family member knows how to blow glass, learning at a very young age. They offer a range of products, such as traditional drinking bottles, jagged vases, glasses and pitchers, in a variety of colours. Today, the Khalifeh family uses recycled glass, an initiative made possible by Ziad Abichaker, founder and CEO of Cedar Environmental, a Lebanese recycling company. They melt the glass in their 2000-year-old Phoenician furnace before remoulding it.

Aley district

Der Oubil

Saboun Baladi

The story began in the 1920’s when Ramzi’s great grandfather started his handmade soap-making craft in Bchamoun, Mount Lebanon. Ramzi’s grandfather, Wajih Hassan, took over the business in the 1950’s, growing it under the brand name “Saboun Hassan”. The soap was distributed across all of Lebanon and became a market leader for more than 20 years. In 1981, due to the unfortunate Lebanese civil war, he was forced to retire at the peak of his success. Saboun Baladi is a 100% handmade natural soap made from pure olive oil following the traditional artisanal techniques that helps preserve all the oil’s benefits. Saboun Baladi is a soap that carries more than 90 years’ worth of heritage and craftsmanship, presented in modern packaging and sizes to fit today’s needs. It aims to introduce the new generations to the benefits of real olive oil based handmade soap and to revive this traditional Lebanese handcraft in a modernized approach.

Naqqache

Salma Fares

Salma Fares makes massage candles that are extremely relaxing and will awaken your senses. The soothing aroma of the candle will take you on a journey of senses. The fusion of soy wax, beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil and almond oil, softly lit by the flame of the candle, grant a warm smooth oil. In addition to its relaxing properties, the candle presents lots of benefits for the skin from deep hydration to skin reparation and rejuvenation. The candle is 350ml, up to 8 persons as full body massage and is available in different fragrances : coconut, vanilla, lavender, citrus, jasmin, blueberry, mango, oud, cherry, neroli, bubble, musk.

Downtown

Atelier Mabrouk

It is in 1985, during the war, that Gilbert Zouein created Atelier Mabrouk, in order to help refugees fleeing the conflict. Relying on the know-how of female refugees, Mabrouk swiftly teaches the women new embroidery techniques. Sales were organized in Lebanon and in France, and the revenues are used to finance salaries, as well as the purchase of goods and equipment necessary for embroidery and sewing work. The vision of its founder is ambitious: modernize embroidery work and turn it into art. It was also a way to value these women, brutalized by war, by involving them in the creation of real works of art. Mabrouk has grown to become the most upscale household linen design workshops in Lebanon. Embroidery is a demanding art that require as much skill as it does patience. The atelier specializes in various types of fine embroidery: handmade embroidery and machine embroidery. Initially specialized in tablecloths, Mabrouk extended its field of activity to household linen, fine lingerie, and baby linen. Abayas and caftans, witnesses of a Lebanese art of living, also hold a special place in Mabrouk’s productions. Through the quality of its products and the refinement of its embroidery, Mabrouk has acquired a prominent place in the luxury department and occasionally collaborates with major designers.

Tchakerian Leather

Tchakerian Leather is known as one of the leading leather suppliers in Lebanon, and trades in all types of finished leather, as well as in wet blue and wet salted hides and skins. Located in the Beirut suburb of Bourj Hammoud, which is known traditionally as the center of the tanning and shoemaking industries in Lebanon, Tchakerian’s showroom displays a wide range of leathers for customer viewing and selection, from calf, bovine, sheep and goat to other exotic animals. Their leathers are produced in Lebanon, or imported from the best tanneries in Europe. Being tanners by profession and over three generations, Tchakerian’s mission is to offer their customers the best leather-purchasing experience by providing high quality leather, customized service and on-time delivery. Their customer base is both local and international, from factories to fashion designers and spans a wide range of industries from tanning, shoemaking, leather goods, garment and upholstery manufacturers.

Mreijeh

La Maison du Craft

Hassan Wehbe has been a crafter for more than 25 years, aside from being the Craftsmen Captain of Lebanon. His work mostly revolves around antiques and items belonging to the Lebanese heritage. The items he works on are mainly made of material such as wood, copper, glass, and some are even coated with silver or gold. He is a well-known name in this trade due to his vast knowledge on handicrafts. As Hassan tends to pay close attention to the finest details, most items are individually handmade. He works on pieces like chandeliers, kitchenware, wall art and home decorating items. His workshop, La Maison du Craft, is located in Beirut, near the Airport Street. He has been located in that area since the beginning.

Gemmayzeh

Nicole and Imad Baalbaky

Nicole Bersuder and Imad Baalbaki, a couple of ceramic potters, have been working together since the year 2000. Their workshop is located on Gouraud Street, Gemmayzeh, in an old building. Nicole mainly works the pottery wheel and researches various glazes. Imad, on the other hand, creates and shapes animals right out of his imagination. Together, they make plates, vases, and decorative or functional objects by using different techniques. Nicole and Imad, loyal to the Garden Show exhibition until 2014, decided to hold their first exposition at their atelier in Gemmayzeh in September 2018, and their second one in September 2019. In 2020, the economic and social crisis, along with Covid, delayed the annual exposition at the workshop. Then, the August 4th blast destroyed the atelier. “Thankfully, we were not present, and luckily the ovens were intact. We had to move everything in a hurry. The repair work has just slowly started, and we hope to reunite with our workshop in a few months.”

Ghofran Yaghy

Mrs. Ghofran Yaghy is a passionate Lebanese designer. She dedicates her time to reviving the local folklore and Eastern fashion in her unique Abaya and accessory designs. Every piece of clothing, accessory and wall rugs tells a unique story about how our grandparents lived, and the wisdom they carried through local sayings.,Ghofran designed the authentic Lebanese folklore costume with the ‘tantour,’ and used old Lebanese coins, such as the ‘Greater Lebanon Piastre’ and the ‘Silver 50 Piastre of 1952,’ to make necklaces, rings, earrings, cufflinks, and to integrate on pieces of clothing she has designed. Last year in 2020, Ghofran launched ‘Café Atelier by Ghofran Yaghi,’ a place for conducting workshops on handmade embroidert and designs, and for unleashing one’s creativity. Ghofran’s message is to always appreciate the wealth of our culture, and her mission is to revive this beautiful culture as part of our modern identity. Every piece is unique and made with passion and love.

Peter Khatcherian

Peter Khatcherian grew up in a house filled with the smell of his father’s tobacco pipe. As his father was a carpenter and Peter himself had a keen passion for drawing, he learnt and worked as an interior designer for a while. He had to stop due to the chaotic situation in the country, and decided to learn how to make fine jewelry. He subsequently opened a workshop, and since photography had been a hobby of his, he specialized in photographing jewelry. When he was younger, Peter started smoking pipes and collecting them. Curious about how they were made, this drove him to get a piece of wood and try carving his own pipe. He fell in love, and has been a pipe maker for the last 15 years. When one buys a pipe, they are buying more than that; they are buying passion and hard work.

Ras Beirut

Inaash

Nearly one-third of the registered Palestine refugees, more than 1.5 million individuals, live in 58 recognized Palestine refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Currently Lebanon hosts close to 450,000 Palestinian refugees in 12 camps. Conditions for the communities living in refugee camps in Lebanon are notoriously difficult. Employment opportunities are limited and the level of unemployment is extremely high for men. At the same time, traditionally it is not usual for their women to seek employment outside their immediate surroundings. Living on aid and handouts is neither sufficient for needs nor conducive to psychological wellbeing. It was these social problems that led Huguette Bechara El Khoury (daughter of Lebanon’s first President) to establish Inaash as a way of creating employment and providing an income for refugee women confined to the camps. The one transferable skill the women brought with them to Lebanon was traditional embroidery. Throughout the last 5 decades, Inaash has worked to both preserve this culture and harness it as a means of livelihood for its practitioners in five camps located across Lebanon. Since inception, over 2,000 women benefited from the production of Inaash products, both in monetary terms and through a sense of community and continuity, and currently provides work for over 400 women. Successive generations have passed on the skill from mother to daughter. Their work with Inaash and the ancillary services it provides have had a positive impact not just on the women but on their families. At the heart of each Inaash piece, in its stitches, colors and motifs, is the history of Palestine as expressed in its distinctive visual heritage – embroidery. Inaash is a Lebanese organization producing the finest quality handmade artisanal products. Their trademark is iconic, intricate traditional embroidery. The product selection includes abayas, coats, jackets, shawls and dresses, along with cushions, tableware and other household accessories. Today the Inaash in-house designers collaborate with local and international artists and designers to update its designs. Those who have contributed to developing the Inaash range include Nada Debs, Rabih Keyrouz, Dina Kamal, Nafissa, May Daouk, Mira Hayek, Creative Space Beirut, Ecru Online, Omar Nasser and Jason Steel. Inaash products have been featured at the Smithsonian Museum, in the British Museum, the Pompidou Center in Paris, Tate Modern, London, Al Sadu Museum Kuwait and in exhibitions in New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Paris, London, Abu Dhabi, Al Manama, Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh.

Dekwaneh

Blatt Chaya

Edgard Chaya is the driving force at Blatt Chaya. Having supposedly retired after a long and successful career in finance, Edgard kept busy tending to his organic vegetable garden and occasionally sailing out onto the Mediterranean to his favorite fishing spot. This fairy tale retirement would not last very long as he inadvertently stumbled upon a small box that would eventually lead him to rediscover a dormant family business that he previously knew very little about. BlattChaya was initially founded in 1881, operated through three generations, and had closed down sometime in the 1940s. Edgard grew fascinated by what he learned as it reminded him of his ancestors. Being an accomplished handyman, it was only natural for him to research the process and techniques of this long forgotten art form. It took an old man’s patience, persistence and perseverance, with a good 6 years of trial and error, to successfully lead Edgard to produce tiles exactly as his grandfather used to. Using the same traditional ingredients, natural colors and hand motions, what had started out as a hobby quickly caught the interest of friends and acquaintances, architects and restoration experts alike. Such stories rarely stay secret for very long, and through word of mouth, demand for traditional colored cement tiles picked up. No one ever imagined, that some 60-odd years after the last tiles had come off the press, BlattChaya would start production again. Thanks to the passion of Edgard Chaya, and his insistence on using the time honored attention to detail through his grandfather’s exact same hand movements, BlattChaya has grown to become a purveyor of traditional colored cement tiles in Lebanon, and indeed, the world. As he had wanted from the very start, he has finally persuaded his daughter Caline and son Karim to join him, not so much so as to return to his garden, but rather to ensure they keep BlattChaya running, and one day pass the secrets on to the next generation.

Mtayleb

Raghwe

Raghwe is a brand of homemade natural soaps, shampoo bars and care products handmade in Lebanon. Each piece is handmade with care and high quality ingredients, merging local Levantine soap and making customs and essences with nutritious butters and oils. Each soap or bar is made with a base of rosewater, goat's milk and olive oil sourced from the mountains of Lebanon. All soaps and shampoo bars are cold processed, preserving the benefits of the oils and butter, and creating a creamy lather for deep moisturization. They use the same base ingredients for all their soaps: olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, beeswax, rosewater, goat’s milk, herbal water and ground oats. In addition to that, they add avocado oil, jojoba oil, castor oil and almond oil to their shampoo bars. They offer a variety of scents, such as lavender, jasmine, geranium, orange blossom, and many others.

Clemenceau

Momtaz Soap

Momtaz Soap is a small family business that started with one pot used for soap cooking and grew into a worldwide-shipping artisanal soap business. They produce soaps on a daily basis, all from scratch and following ancient soap recipes, while keeping up-to-date with scientific guidelines. Every batch is made with natural ingredients (pure olive oil, pure coconut oil and pure laurel oil), free from any colorants or chemical additive, and is pH balanced. Today, the family is growing the business in Lebanon and Canada. Their products can be ordered online at www.quikby.com, and found at Souk el Tayeb, Tawlet, Dekkene and multiple pharmacies in Lebanon.

Zahleh district

Zahleh

Tiles & Co

Tilda Moutran’s talent was highlighted through her love for art. She started painting on tea cups, coffee cups and simple ceramics as a hobby. She was then asked to sell her cups, and thought about turning her hobby into a business. She then took her passion to a new level, after learning new skills to enrich her love for art, which led her to craft handmade tiles in timeless designs and open her own business with her son, Tiles &amp; Co.Tiles &amp; Co is a Lebanese tile manufacturer and factory established in 2013. Tiles &amp; Co specializes in crafting handmade cement tiles with an unlimited range of designs and colors. Customer satisfaction has always been the company’s main focus, as they are committed to delivering excellent service and high-quality products of optimal value to their customers. Tiles &amp; Co are also passionate about innovation and continual improvement, relentlessly pursuing fresh trends in design, diverse global markets, new customer bases, and original technologies to leverage their capabilities and expand on their product range. Tiles &amp; Co’s desire is to always be recognized as an industry professional built on good ethics, family values, solid governance and exceptional execution.

Miyeh Miyeh

Pierre Najm

Pierre Najm is a descendant of a family of skill-workers. His grandfather being a blacksmith and a builder, Pierre was working with wood and metal since he was a child. In 2016, he started woodturning pens and other household and office appliances using olive wood, locally harvested from the village of Miye w Miye, located east of Saida, in the south of Lebanon.

Jdeideh

Chawki Yazbeck

Chawki Yazbeck is a Lebanese statue moulder born in 1957, who grew up in Jdeideh in a traditional Lebanese home. He specializes in 3D artwork and replicas of traditional houses and Lebanese architecture. Throughout his career, he has participated in numerous well-known exhibitions in Lebanon as well as abroad.

RDESIIGN

RDESIIGN is a little company established in 2017, with the goal to design custom luxury and handcrafted products designed for every home.

George Daoud

George Daoud is an artist, craftsman and sculptor who designs and manufactures all kinds of chandeliers, statues, table lamps and candlesticks in brass, bronze and iron. He is also a vitraillist and mosaicist.

Rachaya district

Rachaya

Rana Abou Mansour

Rana’s adventure with soapmaking started in 2016, experimenting with different types of extracts and oils. Throughout her journey, she succeeded in developing mixtures of high quality that have garnered a lot of success in treating many common skin problems. Rana’s main motivation was the positive customer feedback. She now plants herbs in her garden, makes the extracts herself, and uses them for the soap production, an endeavour that she intends on further developing for her valued customer, using the best materials.

Jewel Times

Raffi Aderian is a watch collector: his top priority is to select the finest authentic pre-owned watches available. This allows him to guarantee their customers’ satisfaction and peace of mind while buying and selling luxury watches. Jewel Times are known to be one of the leading watch-repair ateliers in the country. Graduated from Ebauches in Switzerland, their watchmaker's passion is to tend to each timepiece with the utmost care and dedication, and restore them to perfect condition. Deep appreciation and love for the art of timekeeping is what drives the company. Honesty, respect and communication set the foundations of the establishment.

Jisr el Wati

Arcenciel

Launched in 1987, Arcenciel is one of the first true social enterprise in Lebanon. Arcenciel’s ceramic workshop manufactures and sells custom made arcenciel products.The in-house production is run entirely by people with disabilities. Products start out as clay and end up as decorative household items. The workshop provides a welcoming environment and work space to people in difficulty.

Dahyeh

Ibtissam Makhzoom

Ibtissam Makhzoom, a Lebanese craftswoman, learnt the art of soap making 9 years ago, as well as working under medical supervision. She is part of the syndicate of craftsmen in Lebanon and has her own business, known under the name of “Sultana Soap,” where she sells natural and unique soaps that treat different types of skin.

Jezzine

Ghazi Bou Rached

Historically speaking, Jezzine has always been known for its handmade crafts, and the making of swords since the beginning of the 17th century. Jezzine has been around long enough to have witnessed the era of the greatest lords and sultans such as prince Béchir Shehab and the sultans of Bani Othman; their own studded swords were actually made in Jezzine. The museum of Istanbul is in fact the biggest proof, for it displays a sword with a pearled wing phoenix emitting from its golden handle under the name of Jezzine - Lebanon.&nbsp;The handmade crafts industry in Jezzine grew into different sorts of cutlery, into the art of decorating handles with graving and inlaying inspired by birds of various colors carrying out from the sky of Jezzine to the kings, presidents, and the world of expats a significative alphabet created by the hands of Cudmus as thoughtful and appreciative gifts that are unique in the sense of splendor and beauty of a frequent saying: “The more you look at it; the better it makes you feel.” Eid Bou Rached.

Verdun

Samar Itani

Samar Itani turned her childhood passion and hobby into an amazing and successful career. She pursued an education in interior design and claims that this helped her develop her artistic hobby into what it is today. Not only so, but all the workshops she attended in the past in Europe and in Lebanon also pushed her to seek, develop and perfect her actual career and skills.  In fact, Samar has been a Lebanese craftswoman for over 30 years and has been making a variety of unique and customized art pieces that illustrate the traditional Lebanese art in a modern and sincere way. She is proud to have represented the culture of Lebanon in exhibitions internationally and locally.   Samar is currently the vice president of the syndicate of craftsman in Lebanon. In addition to that, she is a professional trainer in numerous types of crafts such as mosaic, pottery, decoupage, decoration of candles and wood, and renovation of old pieces. Her goal is to teach those skills in an easy, simple and effective way to others.

Kfarhim

Bassel Abou Khzam

Bassel Bou Khzam, known as a craftsman, is specialized in carving and coloring on ceramic clay. He offers a variety of handmade products, such as modern faces on pottery and canvas, that are considered Lebanese souvenirs.

Baalbak

Jihad Bayan

Based in Baalbak, Jihad Bayan is a Lebanese woman who has been working in different types of handmade skills for more than 18 years now, such as embroidery, crochet, sewing, and oya. She claims that the practice of taree not only represents the Lebanese history, but represents especially the heritage of Baalbak and its beauty. Embroidery and taree are everlasting skills that will continue to be passed on throughout the years to the younger generations. Jihad and her team are currently working from home, but she wishes to demonstrate her work and her skills to the tourists that visit Baalbek through a small stand or hut.

Jounieh

Mario Hayek

Mario Hayek began his career as a craftsman in 1988, with the opening of his workshop known as “Atelier Mario Hayek,” located in Jounieh. Even today, he still works with metal and etain pewter in a traditional way that involves a chisel and a hammer, called metal embossing art. He has participated in a lot of exhibitions inside and outside Lebanon, especially during the war.

Hayat Al Rifai

Hayat Al Rifai has been working with a unique embroidery technique known as taree since the age of 14, but she learned this skill long before. In fact, this skill has been passed on for more than 180 years in her family, based in Baalbak. The only material required is a canvas, fabric, and a needle; it can be done on anything - on dresses, clothes, scarves, bags, etc.  Along the years, she gave many courses in different organizations, such as the Lebanese organization of studies and training in Baalbak, the UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization), and even taught some girls at home in order to keep this part of Baalbak’s heritage alive. She claims that this type of work is usually done by unemployed women, for it requires a lot of free time, and it is usually worn by women from the upper society because of its high value and price. Hayat and her team offer other types of handwork as well, from crochet, to oya, makuk and so on.

Jean Bedoghlian

Jean Bedoghlian crafts and engraves all sorts of medals. He took over his father’s business, which he started in 1968. He supplies public institutions and international organizations, such as UNIFIL. As well, he is often approached for memorial plaques, keychains, pins and medals for all occasions. He also works for sports clubs and cultural associations.

Nadim and Bianca Tahtouh

Nadim Tahtouh was born in Zahle, Lebanon. After graduating from the Instituto Europeo Di Design in Milano with a Diploma in Photography Arts and Techniques, he first worked as a reporter for a local newspaper in Brianza (Italy) for several years. One day, after he met local glassworkers and painters, he was inspired by their work and decided to start learning the craft, and they taught him the secrets of the trade.&nbsp;Today, along with his other half, Bianca Tahtouh, a graphic designer, graduate of the Istituto Statale D'arte Di Firenze, they returned to their hometown, Zahle, in 2001, and started working with stained glass and fusing, importing all the raw material and equipments from Italy.

Marjeyoun district

Kfarkela

Khodor Serhan

Khodor Serhan is one of the most important traditional soap makers in South Lebanon. He is located in Kfarkela, near Bwabat Fatma, in a region known for its numerous olive trees. Khodor began making soaps in 1989 after the Liberation War; there was an abundant olive oil production, and he wanted to prevent any product waste. Helped by his son who is a doctor, Khodor quickly became an important actor of the natural soap market in the country. He makes soap with a variety of ingredients from his homeland other than olive oil, such as laurel oil, honey, milk, lavender, rosemary, etc. Khodor also gives soapmaking formation classes, in collaboration with international cooperation programs. Through these courses, he helps poor Lebanese and Syrian women learn and take up a professional activity, and he also transmits the Lebanese soapmaking techniques and traditions to younger generations. You can find Khodor every Saturday at Souk el Tayeb, where he will be glad to show you his soapmaking skills.

Fatima Tartousy

Fatima’s work with copper started as a hobby when she was 7 years old, but quickly evolved into her career when she left school at age 9 so she could help her father out. She claims that the craft requires a lot of patience, dedication, and most importantly, a big capital. They have participated in various exhibitions inside and outside of Lebanon, but times have been difficult in the industry lately.

Qalamoun

Yehya Mahmoud Hassoun

Yehya Mahmound Hassoun and his six siblings learned their craftsmanship from their late father Hajj Mahmoud Abd Al Rahman. Today, they own two copper shops, one in Qalamoun and one in Tripoli, managed by his brother Hassan Mahmoud Hassoun. In past years, their products could be found in Germany and in some Arab countries, however at the moment, they can only be found in Lebanon. Each one of their products are made by hand, without any machinery involved in the process. From brightening to producing, not only do the Hassoun brothers design their own products, but they also take custom orders.

Mohammad Abdelaziz Ezzo

At the age of 12, Mohamad Abdel Aziz Ezzo inherited his late grandfather and father’s copper business. Located in Qalamoun, this family business is specialized in handmande copper and silver crafts. They participated in international exhibitions, the Arab World Institution 1999 exhibition in Paris, as well as exhibitions in Italy in 2000 and 2003. They also export their crafts to foreign countries.

Azzam Hassoun

Azzam Hassoun discovered his passion for copper at the age of 8, and started to produce and sell items at the age of 12, along with his brother, Adel Hassoun. Azzam has been working with copper for over 40 years now, with the help of his four brothers and 11 craftsmen in their workshop based in Qalamoun. They specialize in everything relating to copper: brightening, repairing, producing, etc. What makes their work unique is the fact that everything is crafted by hand. Each piece is specially designed by renown designers, such as the famous mezza plates found at Liza Paris and Liza Beirut. Azzam’s work can be found at his shop in Saifi and in Orient 499, all around Lebanon and other Arab countries, as well as in France, where he participated in the Institut du Monde Arabe’s exhibition.

Amran Al Makary

Amran Al Makary is a member of the 7th generation to take over the family shop, a business present for the past 215 years. They specialize in the making of wicker chairs and wooden tools used for household tasks, from rolling pins to garlic masher bowls, maamoul molds, ustensils, etc. Amran has participated in several exhibitions, including the Garden Show.

Boisseliers du Rif

Boisseliers du Rif’s story begins a little over 100 years ago, amidst the uncertainty of the First World War. Having discovered a deep respect for wood and a love for craftsmanship, Hanna El Rif opened his first workshop. Years later, his son Joseph, sharing his father’s passion for the craft, expands this workshop into the large family of Boisseliers that exists today. For three generations now, Boisseliers du Rif have strived to uphold the craft and its tradition by blending classic techniques with state-of-the-art innovation, and are always channeling their passion in pursuit of perfection. Through their mastery of artisanal techniques, they have customized and developed a diverse body of work, ranging from furniture and heirloom gifts to complete woodwork refurbishments. As they continue to grow, their core values remain unchanged, as they have been for over a century. Through experience, unsurpassed craftsmanship and exemplary service, Boisseliers du Rif are committed the preserving the craft, keeping it relevant today and for generations to come.

Radwan Rafaat Hassoun

Radwan Rafaat Hassoun has worked with copper for 20 years now, after his father and grandfather taught him the skills and techniques. They have shops in Qalamoun and Tripoli, where Radwan, his brothers and cousins all work together. Most of their handcrafted products are imported to the Gulf area, in collaboration with Lebanese architects based in the region, and were even once exported to the UK.

Maasser el Chouf

Blatt El Atiq

Ghassan Fayad is the founder of Blatt el-Atiq - "the ancient tile" in English. A passionate and persevering young man, he has revived the use of tiles with characteristic patterns and colours in Lebanon, which had been neglected in the face of the progressive development of ceramics. He aims at preserving the heritage in a country that is gradually falling into ruins, in every sense of the word. Blat el-Atiq allows us to immerse ourselves in the Beirut of the last century and thus take pleasure in visually recalling the traditional homes of the capital, an ode to local craftsmanship. Blat el-Atiq is also a family story, and Ghassan Fayad has made an art out of it. His workshop, located in the Fayad family home in Maaser el Chouf, opened its doors in March 2017 and welcomes visitors from all over the country. His next goal is to have a Lebanese workforce work with him.

Artisanat du Chouf

Artisanat du Chouf is an association created in 1959 by Jamal Alameddine Takieddine. Providing work for Lebanese women, this organization was mainly known for offering all kinds of handwork to Middle East Airlines up until 1977. In 1980, they went through a rough patch and could not really provide a living, as well as an income, to all these working women. However, two years ago, they started selling different items such as embroidery, crochet, makuk and cross stitch on tablecloths, clothes, abayas, etc. The team is made up of a group of seven women working inside the workshop, and other women working from home. In fact, everything they offer is completely for non-profit purposes, since they are selling their items at cost.

Jbeil district

Amchit

Honey Herbs

Honey Herbs is a natural cosmetic line formulated with hive products, and aromatic and medical plants that grow in the Lebanese mountains. The story of the company started in 1987 when the founder, Fadi Abi Sleiman, met a chemical engineer who wanted to learn more about the applications of hive products in cosmetics. In 1993, the first honey face soap was created, and little by little, a natural cosmetic line and a nature detergent line were created. It’s really a love story between the creator and the products. Fadi works along with Via Appia organization in Byblos.&nbsp;

Beit Chabeb

Naffah Naffah

Naffah Naffah is the only bell artisan "in the Arab world". The entire family is known in the region for its know-how. In the year 1700, the Russians introduced the craft of bell casting in Lebanon, and the citizens of Beit Chabeb learnt this technique to avoid importing bells from Europe, which was difficult and costly. It was Youssef Ghobril who made the first bell in Beit Chabeb, and it was then renamed Naffah (useful). This knowledge has been passed on within the family for generations, and Naffah Naffah himself intends to teach it to his sons.

Embroidery Center for the Armenian Relief Cross

The Embroidery Center for the Armenian Relief Cross was built in 1976 during the civil war. Originally distributing food for people in need, the center got built to give women the opportunity to do meaningful work. This step was very important, as it revived and preserved the Armenian heritage. The center organizes an annual exhibition in order to finance the association’s projects, such as educational and school aid, hospital health aid through their dispensary, and even social assistance.

Najat Meselmani

After attending a 9-month workshop in 1972 and learning the skills from her mother and older sisters, Najat took up knitting, crochet and embroidery. In 1997, she attended another workshop on the art of taree, a unique embroidery technique, and learnt new skills, such as oya, on YouTube. Najat has managed to develop and adapt traditional skills and techniques into her craft, giving her clothing an elegant and modern twist.

Jihad Kassouf

Born in Zahle in 1967, Jihad Kassouf pursued an artistic education at the Michelangelo Institute of Fine Arts in Beirut in 1992, specializing in drawing and sculpting. He creates wood masterpieces: altar of churches, furniture, decorative items, trophies, … He is a member of various organizations, such as the Association of Craftsmen in the Bekaa, the Fairuz Chamoun Center for Arts and Culture, and he is the founder of the Center for Sculpture and Paining in the Beqaa after obtaining a certificate of appreciation from the municipality of Zahle’s city council. Over the years, he has participated in various exhibitions in Lebanon, and had even organized the first handicraft symposium in Zahle and the Bekaa, with the cooperation of the municipality of Zahle.

Tayouneh

Wissam Houry - Zakour

Wissam Houry was taught to work with leather at the age of 13 by his father. He quit university after 3 years of law school and decided to throw himself in developing his father’s workshop. The business started even earlier than that, when Wissam’s grandfather learnt how to make horse saddles and other leather goods thanks to the French gendarmes. As the third generation to take over the family business, Wissam and his father stitch, assemble and sew bridles, girths, and other horse-riding equipment by hand. Wissam tests the equipment himself in order to make sure the product works efficiently and to see how the horse reacts and adapts to it. Wissam has participated in numerous exhibitions in Lebanon, in cooperation with different municipalities, and he says that social media has helped him target a bigger audience.

Antoine Chamoun

At 70 years old, Antoine Chamoun has worked in the crafts industry for 55 years, specializing in mosaic and marquetry. Since 1972, Antoine has participated in different international exhibitions in Italy, Belgium and Lybia, and began participating in Lebanese exhibitions in 1994. He is also one of the founding members of Association of Craftsmen in the Beqaa region.

Ghbeiry

Mosbah Kazma

Mosbah Kazma started his career as a craftman in 1969 by repairing furniture, replicating antiquities on glass and pottery, and later working on archaizing the history of various civilizations, including the Phoenicians. Some of his pieces, which include the ancient Assyrians, Canaanites and Pharaos are exhibited at the Lebanese National Museum, the Musée du Louvre, and others.

Fekha

Fatima Al Hallani

In a family of craftsmen, Fatima Al Hallani learned tapestry at a young age with the help of her mother and aunts. Rather than pursuing an education, she chose to focus on her handicraft career. Today, along with being a mother, she crafts carpets and small items, such as pillows and other decorative items, in her free time.

Bcheftine

Cheikh Mohamed Said Fayad & Fils

The craft of handloom is a big part of Arab culture and heritage, specifically in Lebanon, where it holds an important past, especially for the Fayad family who have been engaging with the craft for more than 100 years. It all started when Cheikh Mohamad’s father, Said Fayad, took up the art of weaving, working with linen and muslin fabrics and producing only traditional clergymen robes, rugs, and other similar items. After his passing, Cheikh Mohamad took over his father’s business and developed it further by using new fabrics, designs and artistry, which helped the business garner the success it holds today. Today, Cheikh Mohamad’s children are in charge, who each have different specializations. Cheikh Mohamad and his children received the UNESCO Handcraft Prize in Paris in 2000, before gaining local and international recognition, their items being worn by the upper class and royalty. Today, they specialize in the making of items such as abayas, jackets, scarves, and eastern furniture make out of silk, wool and cotton.

Vahan Kupelian

Vahan Kupelian discovered he had a talent for calligraphy at school, writing his classmates’ names down on their books. At the age of 19, he opened his shop and has been working there ever since, for over 55 years. Rather than using traditional calligraphy, he has developed and honed his own style of the craft. Today, his son works with him in the workshop, making copper jewelry.

Al Rafah Soap

In 2010, Al Rafah for Natural Soapmaking and all its Derivatives and Trade was founded in Erkay, a city in Saida. Their workshop is what every soap lover is looking for: they offer a variety of handcrafted natural soaps that can be used in diverse ways. Al Rafah produces different groups of soaps: “SAV’ART” consists of 5 types of soaps suitable for most common skin afflictions, as well as different face and body beauty products. The “SENS’EA” line is a collaboration with UNIDO and includes six types of cosmetic soaps (olive, laurel, almond, avocado, aloe vera, nigella) and six types of aromatic soaps (gardenia, lemon blossom, lily, lavender, pine, jasmine). The “STOR’EA” line is inspired by the Lebanese heritage, history and geography, and involves a more traditional and cultural aspect of soapmaking. What makes Al Rafah’s soaps special is the fact that they are all made from vegetable oils usually used for cooking and consuming, and are enriched with 5 to 8% of essential and vegetable oils. The soaps are also rich in glycerin and every item is manufactured in accordance with the rules and conditions of environmental preservation, which makes them free from any unnatural preservatives, dyes or scents.

Aziza Al Hallani

Aziza el Hallani was 11 years old when she started helping her mother with her tapestry business. She left school at the age of 13 and began working with her mother to help support her family crafting carpets and other smaller items.

Jnah

Issam Al Houssaymi

Issam Al Houssaymi has been a sculptor and a painter, specifically on ostrich eggs, for more than 15 years. He claims that carving on ostrich eggs requires a lot of concentration, calm, and patience, mainly because the duration of carving ranges from 4 to 20 hours or so, according to the subject. Issam El Houseini has participated in many exhibitions, whether in Lebanon or abroad. His small workshop is located in Jnah, next to the General Hospital of Beirut.

Abdallah Al Jamal

Abdallah Al Jamal started his career as a craftsman more than 40 years ago. He can recreate any design provided to him on stainless steel, copper, iron, and other materials. He had participated in various Lebanese exhibitions, and today, his son is helping him out in his workshop. More than 40 years ago, Abdallah Al Jamal started his career as a craftsman in which he only works by hand. Abdallah claims that the secret behind his work is his talent; in fact, he can recreate any design given to him on stainless steel, copper, iron, and other materials. He participated in exhibitions held in Lebanon.