Maral Sheuhmelian Berberian & Made51

MADE51 is a project of the UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees), a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people. Made51 pairs refugee artisans with experienced social enterprises in their host country to stimulate local economies.

HDIF master artisan Maral Sheuhmelian Berberian, originally from Aleppo, Syria, has been working closely with UNHCR for several years.  This upcoming holiday season, MADE51 will be working with Maral for a second year to market her new felt ornaments.  They are made from 100% Armenian wool and embellished with traditional embroidery designs.

Maral is producing 1500 Van cats for MADE51's online holiday collection.  She is also producing 550 felt and embroidered egg ornaments that MADE51 will be distributing to the U.S.-based Container Store.

Maral specializes in Armenian embroidery techniques that she learned while growing up in Syria.  These are traditions that were passed to them by previous generations who sought to maintain their connection to Armenia. 

Maral shares, "I am so happy that my products are being distributed in the four corners of the world.  I now have 7-13 producers working under me, 7 of whom are originally from Syria.  While at this time I'm not able to give them work year round, I hope that the orders will continue to increase so I can offer them full-time employment.  Over the years, I have been able to explore new techniques that have led to my felt work as well as developing skills in epoxy and ceramics."

Maral states that her next venture will be to produce blouses, scarves, purses, and belts that are adorned with traditional Armenian embroidery.  She's also interested in producing Christmas tree garlands and decorative lamp shades.

Since arriving in Armenia she has become an entrepreneur, renowned for her craftsmanship. In 2017, she was granted “The best woman entrepreneur” award by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and received national master diploma by the Ministry of Culture.