Traditional Afghan Techniques with a Modern Twist
Hello, my name is Ayesha. I have lived in Buffalo, NY since 2017, but I am originally from Afghanistan. I live here with my husband who is the President of the Buffalo Afghan Community. My parents, sisters, and brothers still live in Afghanistan. I look forward to helping support my family with the sales from my very own Etsy Shop. My craft skills include sewing, beading, and embroidery and I love designing home decor using traditional techniques with a modern twist. I like making pillows, cushions, and curtains. I learned needlework skills from my mother and from my school program growing up in Afghanistan. I enjoy exploring my local craft stores and trying out new materials to get new design ideas. When I’m not crafting new products, I enjoy cooking and listening to music. Thank you for your support and I do hope you enjoy my designs.
About the Afghan Refugee Collective
Together, Etsy and Nest are proud to present the Afghan Refugee Collective, part of the Uplift Makers Program. These shops feature traditional Afghan needlework and home decor—all expertly handmade by women resettling and rebuilding their lives in the United States.
Our world is experiencing the highest levels of human displacement on record. In 2020 alone, 80 million people were forced to leave their homes. Resettling in a new country may mean learning how to speak the language or navigating unique systems. But many refugees possess craft-based skills they can leverage for immediate income, which is very much needed as they start their new journey.
With this collective of refugee-owned shops, Nest and Etsy help create market access and home-based opportunities for Afghan artisans, empowering small businesses. In partnership with Stitch Buffalo, a non-profit in Buffalo, New York, supporting the resettlement of refugees, Nest and Etsy delivered targeted training & product development resources to the owner of this shop.