Infused with Armenia's traditional devotion, this cotton ornament makes a prayer of peace in its enchanting details. Adorned with classic embroidered motifs that form a cross, the design dangles from a handy natural fiber cord. Zoufik Kantarian, the artisan, finishes the piece with a tender message that reads, "God bless our home."
Made in Armenia
100% cotton, natural fiber cord
Hand-crafted item -- color, size and/or motif may vary slightly
I believe that through embroidery, I can connect with others, share my experiences, and contribute to the ongoing narrative of our people.
"My name is Zoufik, and I come from a rich tapestry of Armenian heritage that has been woven through generations of... resilience and artistry. My family's roots trace back to Urfa, where my great-grandmother and great-grandfathers lived before the dark times of the genocide. My mother, Anahit Arakelian, hailed from Der-Zor, while my father, Vardges Gantarjian, came from Dlapiat. After enduring unimaginable hardships, they settled in Aleppo, where they raised their family and kept our culture alive.
"Growing up in a vibrant Armenian community in Syria, I was surrounded by the remnants of our rich heritage. My parents were part of a family of five children, and my upbringing was steeped in the traditions of our ancestors. One of those cherished traditions was embroidery, a skill that had been passed down through the generations. In Aleppo, embroidery was not just an art form; it was a means of survival for many Armenian emigrants who had fled the genocide. My grandmothers were among those who kept this tradition alive, teaching us the delicate craft of needlework. For them, it was a way to stay connected to their roots while navigating life in an Arab country where they had to be cautious in their interactions with others.
"As a child, I watched my mother embroider beautiful pieces for our home, often quietly working on her projects as I played nearby. I remember being fascinated by the vibrant colors of the threads and the intricate designs that seemed to come to life under her skilled hands. There were times when I would secretly take her work, adding my touches to it, hoping she wouldn’t notice. I was always careful, fearing she might scold me or, worse, ruin her masterpiece. At twelve, my mother finally let me draw on some pieces, which opened a door for me. It was my sister who took the time to teach me the finer points of our craft, nurturing my budding talent.
"One of my most treasured possessions from that time is a pillow adorned with marashi embroidery that I created during my early years. It serves as a beautiful reminder of my first experience in this artistic world and my family's legacy. As I worked on that pillow, I discovered that needlework was not merely a hobby; it was a language through which I could express my thoughts, emotions, and creativity.
"Over time, my relationship with embroidery blossomed. What began as a simple pastime transformed into a profound passion. I often felt as though needlework opened a whole new world for me, offering peace, harmony, and an avenue for my imagination to soar. My parents, with their modest means, would give me a small allowance, and I would save it to buy a single piece of thread to continue my creations. Each stitch was a step towards expressing myself, a way to honor my heritage.
"Years later, after I got married, a guest visited our home and sparked a new challenge for me. They encouraged me to take on a larger project—a three-meter-long tablecloth. It was daunting, but I felt ready to embrace the challenge. This was my first significant undertaking, and it marked a turning point in my journey as an artisan. The experience taught me not only the technical skills required for such intricate work but also the importance of perseverance and dedication.
"Today, I find immense joy in continuing the craft that has been a part of my family for generations. Every piece I create is infused with the stories of my ancestors and the memories of my childhood. I draw inspiration from the beautiful patterns and colors that reflect our rich Armenian culture, and I hope to share this legacy with others through my work.
"As I embrace my identity as an artisan, I remain committed to honoring my family's heritage and the traditions that have shaped my life. I believe that through embroidery, I can connect with others, share my experiences, and contribute to the ongoing narrative of our people. My journey is a testament to the resilience of the Armenian spirit, and I invite you to explore the beauty of my creations as we celebrate the artistry of our culture together."
Only valid on the Normal shipping option for shipments to 48 Lower US states.
Discounted shipping price may not be applied to previous orders.
This item ships with a free artist storycard, so you can remember who you impacted today. Customized gift messages are also available with every order.
We want you to be 100% satified with your order, so if you are not completely happy with your item, you can return it within 60 days of receiving it.
We pack, ship, certify and 100% guarantee the quality of this item. Watch this video to see how.
This item is available for backorder and will ship within 2 to 8 weeks. Artists love to get backorders. Placing a backorder ensures that the artisan will do their best to create and deliver your item to our local office for shipment.
Although we cannot guarantee availability, we do expect to be able to fill the order within the timeframe indicated. But sometimes life happens - special materials may not be immediately available to the artist, or there might be some other circumstance beyond our control that could delay the shipment.
If for any reason we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will notify you.
In the unlikely even that we are unable to ship the item within the timeframe indicated, we will contact you and provide an updated delivery window.
This item has a special shipping flat fee which means that due to bulk, duties, or other special requirements, the item will be shipped to you via one of our special one-rate services. Shipping is only available to the United States (lower 48 States only).
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
BUST
35 - 36
37 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
WAIST
27 - 28
29 - 30
31 - 33
34 - 36
38 - 40
HIPS
37 - 38
39 - 40
42 - 43
45 - 46
49 - 50
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
CHEST
36 - 38
39 - 41
42 - 44
46 - 48
50 - 52
WAIST
30 - 32
32 - 34
35 - 37
38 - 41
43 - 45
NECK
14 - 14.5
15 - 15.5
16 - 16.5
17 - 17.5
18 - 18.5
SLEEVE
32.5
33.5
34.5
35.5
36.5
FINDING YOUR SIZE
Take your measurements with the tape measure over your under garments. If your measurements fall between sizes you may prefer the next larger size. Inseam, skirt and dress lengths vary by style and will be listed in the item description. Our sweaters are knit in standard American sizes, however actual measurements vary by style.
BUST / CHEST
Measure around the fullest part of chest under the arms and over the shoulder blades keeping the tape measure level.
WAIST
Measure around the smallest part of the waist keeping the tape measure comfortably loose. Most garments use the low waist measurement noted below.
LOW WAIST
Measure around the body approximately 1.5" below the natural waist (above). This is the area where most pants and skirts actually fit.
HIPS
Standing with your heels together, measure around the fullest part of the body approx 7"-8" below the waist.
NECK
Measure around the base of the neck keeping the tape measure comfortably loose.
SLEEVE
Bend elbow slightly and starting at the center back of the neck, measure across the shoulder, to the elbow and down to the wrist.
INSEAM
Our standard inseam length for women is 32" and 34" for men; however inseam measurements will vary slightly by style.
Belts with buckles are measured in inches that correspond to a waist size however, most people do not wear belts on the waist, they wear them closer to the hips. A buckle belt measurement is take from the end of the "pin" of the buckle to the middle hole on the belt. Generally there are 5 holes for size adjustment, with a 1" space between each, so the middle hole will the be average size of the belt.
For at tie belt (no buckle) measure the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This again is the medium size of the belt.
For a soft fabric tie belt it can be called "1 size fits most" and the entire length of the belt should be measured and listed.
See buckle/tie belt size standards below.
WOMEN
S
M
L
XL
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
inches
26 - 30
28 - 32
31 - 35
34 - 38
38 - 42
cm
76 - 86
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
MEN
S
M
L
XL
XXL
inches
30 - 34
32 - 36
35 - 39
39 - 43
43 - 47
cm
81.5 - 91.5
86.5 - 96.5
91.5 - 101.5
96.5 - 106.5
109 - 119
+/- tolerance: 0.5 inches or 1.25 cm
Sash tie length
Lay sash/tie out flat away from the garment and measure from end to end.
Belt with buckle
Measure from the end of the pin of the buckle (where it touches the buckle) to the middle hole.
Belt without buckle
Measure from the belt portion end to end and half of the tie portion. This is will give you the medium size of the belt.
Download our printable ring sizing chart to find the perfect fit!
We refer to these items as "discounted wholesale". Such items carry a deeper wholesale discount than other items, and have greater potential to provide your business with healthier resale margins.
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