Giving local women and designers a platform for creativity

AMMAN — Two women, Hanan and Linda Hallaq, took up the challenge of advancing design in Jordan by empowering women and giving them opportunities to channel their passions into work.اضافة اعلان

“The name ‘HANDS’ comes from the idea of the shop, which represents handmade work, and it is also a mixture of our names Hanan and Linda,” Hanan Hallaq, the owner of HANDS, said in an interview with Jordan News.

“The project started with my own design line. I used to design decoration pieces, and at that time there were no marketing methods such as online marketing or even events, then I started to promote my products and my friends' products, and we helped each other,” she said. 



HANDS by the Sea Shop in Aqaba City. The locally-owned shop gives women and designers a platform to showcase and sell their goods. (Photos: Handouts from HANDS)

She said that the HANDS Gifts Shop was the first concept store in Amman to empower designers, opening in 2000 and providing women with a variety of options for showcasing and promoting their work.

“Our journey started with empowering women and encouraging local products 20 years ago,” Hanan said. “Any woman who makes a product, no matter how simple, we encourage her and help her to promote and sell her products through three mediums: our website, stores, and bazaars.”

The concept, which began small, has grown to become one of Jordan's largest mediums for supporting, empowering, and motivating women. Hallaq’s siblings work to provide a space for all women seeking help, support, and direction in starting their own enterprises.

“We seek to work on developing and empowering women and the local community and encouraging them to help themselves and strengthen their business, which will be reflected in their family and community,” Hanan said.



HANDS by the Sea Shop in Aqaba City. The locally-owned shop gives women and designers a platform to showcase and sell their goods. (Photos: Handouts from HANDS)

HANDS picks artisans who have a passion for painting, drawing, or designing accessories and home decorations, as well as women who own small or developing enterprises in any sector and display their work at HANDS stores in Amman and Aqaba, as well as at bazaars.

The women's only business has progressed from the stage of creativity and hobby to specialization and professionalism, and it markets to professionals in Jordan and abroad.

“The local artisan comes to us to sell her products, and if it isn't ready for sale, we help her improve them. The secret behind our success is that if we identify a weak and unready product, we try to help the artisan develop an excellent product that meets people's needs,” she said.

Moreover, she added that HANDS also advises women in production.

Hanan went on to say that they have attended several events outside Jordan, including in Paris, Abu Dhabi, and Kuwait that has given them experience with international events, which they pass on to local women.



HANDS by the Sea Shop in Aqaba City. The locally-owned shop gives women and designers a platform to showcase and sell their goods. (Photos: Handouts from HANDS)

“It's a marketing, selling, and public-facing experience, as well as a product and production process and technique test, which gives the women the confidence to produce again,” the owner said.

In addition to the Abdoun branch and Sweifieh Village branch in Amman, the sisters opened their third store, “HANDS by the Sea” in Ayla Village in Aqaba in 2020. 

“Aqaba is an important and touristic city in Jordan, which lacks gift shops, and it was a good step for us to open in Aqaba, as during the pandemic, the city was an outlet for many locals,” Hanan said. “Our community is rich with many creative designers.”

“There are many talented women in Jordan, they just need trust, support, and to believe in their talent.”

At the beginning of the project, the owners faced numerous challenges, Hanan said, adding that the women she supported also faced challenges. She said that “The women were not getting the needed support and encouragement from their families, however, as soon as their projects became successful, this idea has changed.”



HANDS by the Sea Shop in Aqaba City. The locally-owned shop gives women and designers a platform to showcase and sell their goods. (Photos: Handouts from HANDS)

Hanan said that most of the women HANDS works with develop their talent during their leisure time, whether it be sculpting, sewing, or something else, and then learn about how they can participate in events and sell products and make money.

Lubna Safadi, a jewelry designer, told Jordan News about her experience with HANDS: “All HANDS events are well-organized and the owners provide us with training and everything we need.”

She added that HANDS greatly supports local designers and artisans, and creates great opportunities for them through the events.

“They help designers with presentation and marketing, and the HANDS team is really friendly and helpful,” she said.

Hanan said that the team is currently working to strengthen their website in order to reach the largest number of people possible.  

Hallaq told Jordan News that even in difficult circumstances and situations, everyone should take advantage of these circumstances to face their fears in order to create, develop, and produce.

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