Leather

Cairo / El-Zawia El-Hamra

"Brass making dates back to our anscestors since copper and brass were of the top materials that have been broadly used in ancient Egypt for a number of purposes, from building statues to crafting wonderfully detailed pots and jewelry. Today, even though the craft is not as popular or widely practiced as it was, copper and brass are used to create many favored items that is also mixed with buffalo and goat leather which make the products more unique. Under the supervision of Ishak Fahmi Rubel, the founder of the Brass group, who also has a line of brass making jewelry, decided to have another line of leather and embossing brass early on, in which 3 women artisans working in such a project in Al-Qanatir Al-Khayria, Cairo, Egypt. They’re skilled in all aspects of the process, from cutting, burning, sticking, painting the edges, to the finishing step. Nowadays, Ishak has more than 10 people working with him in both groups, and he supplies his crafts not only to Fair Trade Egypt, but also to other galleries across more Egyptian governorates. The collaboration between Ishak and Fair Trade Egypt had started back then in 2000, Since then, Fair Trade Egypt has been helping the group market and selling their products, as well as providing technical and developmental trainings. Ideas for designs are also frequently exchanged between both parties, trying to get closer to what people would find appealing and usable, without losing the authentic touch which Brass Group gives their crafts. "