Craft Lake City is thrilled to be working with Hanifa Javadi of Free Women for the next class in our New Americans Workshop Series in partnership with the International Rescue Committee! Hanifa, a refugee from Afghanistan who’s made her home and built her business in Utah, says “I am so excited to teach this workshop because it is a dream come true for me. As a girl in Afghanistan, I was not allowed to attend school, so I was never able to fulfill my dream of becoming a teacher. But now, living in the United States, I have the opportunity to share my knowledge and skills with others. I am passionate about teaching macramé because it is a beautiful and versatile art form that can be used to create a wide variety of items, from wall hangings to plant hangers and more.”
On Thursday, April 13, 2023, Hanifa will be teaching a Beaded Macramé Wall Hanging Workshop at the Craft Lake City HQ from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. In this beginner-friendly macramé workshop, Hanifa will walk participants through the measuring, cutting, beading & knotting of their rope to create a contemporary mini wall hanging that will brighten up their home or office. Participants will be amazed at what they can create with just a few styles of knots & tassels! As part of our New Americans Workshop Series, attendees will also learn about our instructor’s cultural background & her evolution as a maker through the lens of her experiences in Afghanistan.
Hanifa explains that her love for macramé is rooted in her childhood experiences in Afghanistan, “When I saw my neighbor making macramé, I was immediately drawn to the art form and wanted to learn how to create it myself.”
“I want everyone to know that while I may not have had the opportunity to attend school, I have learned a great deal through my experiences and through watching others. I am proud of the skills I have acquired, and I want to share them with others so that they can experience the joy of creating something beautiful with their own hands. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story and my craft with you.
Each craft workshop in the New Americans Series is taught by makers from around the globe who’ve made Utah their home due to humanitarian crises in their countries of origin. This series of six workshops, running from November 2022 through April 2023, is made possible with the support of the International Rescue Committee and funding from the Salt Lake Arts Council.
As part of this six-part series, Craft Lake City is offering three full scholarships to each workshop based on financial need. To browse our upcoming workshops and purchase tickets, visit https://craftlakecity.com/workshops/.
About Free Women:
My name is Hanifa Javadi and I am a refugee from Afghanistan currently living in the United States. I am a skilled tailor with my own sewing business and have also been exploring my creative side through macramé and other crafts. I am currently working on a project to share my passion for macramé by teaching others how to create their own beautiful pieces.
Online Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FreeWomenCo
About the IRC:
The International Rescue Committee provides opportunities for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture, and other immigrants to thrive in America. Each year, thousands of people, forced to flee violence and persecution, are welcomed by the people of the United States into the safety and freedom of America. These individuals have survived against incredible odds. The IRC works with government bodies, civil society actors, and local volunteers to help them translate their past experiences into assets that are valuable to their new communities. In Salt Lake City and other offices across the country, the IRC helps them to rebuild their lives. Since opening its doors in 1994, the IRC in Salt Lake City has resettled nearly 12,000 refugees and provided life-changing services to thousands more in the Beehive State. Services include resettlement, education, health, advocacy, economic wellbeing, and more.
About Craft Lake City:
Founded in 2009 by Angela H. Brown, Executive Editor of SLUG (Salt Lake UnderGround) Magazine, Craft Lake City® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with the mission to educate, promote and inspire local artisans while elevating the creative culture of the Utah arts community through science, technology and art. Craft Lake City strives to further define the term “Craft,” by modernizing the definition for handmade creativity.
craftlakecity.com @craftlakecity
Craft Lake City’s year-round programming is supported in part by the residents of Salt Lake County through the Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) Program, the Salt Lake Arts Council, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, and Utah Arts & Museums, with funding from the State of Utah and the National Endowment for the Arts.