Team Details

Setting the Scene

Sunshine streamed through the open window, catching the glint of needles and spools of colorful thread neatly arranged on a wooden table. Embroidered tote bags—each one unique—hung proudly on display. As I entered, the founder smiled warmly, her hands busy stitching a new motif onto a soft, cream-colored fabric. “Welcome,” she said. “Let me show you what dreams and tradition can create.”

Beginnings and Inspiration

Seated with graceful posture honed over decades of careful embroidery, the founder recounted how Andrra n’beze came to life:

“Embroidery has been a part of me since childhood. Back then, it wasn’t just a passion—it was a duty. Every girl was taught to prepare her dowry by hand, sewing and embroidering each item with love and patience. After I retired, I saw my daughter-in-law working slowly on a ceger (cloth bag), and I couldn’t resist helping her. That’s when the idea was born—to create tote bags inspired by tradition, and to encourage the use of cloth over plastic.”

The project became both a tribute to heritage and a call to action for a more sustainable future, merging beauty with responsibility.

Evolution and Sustainability

We moved to a corner where finished bags were ready for the next local fair. The founder reflected on the changes embroidery has undergone:

“In the past, sewing our clothes filled us with pride and a sense of belonging. Each region had its distinct embroidery, its own language in thread. But industrialization changed everything—clothing lost its meaning, and people lost a part of themselves. Through Andrra n’beze, I wanted to revive a piece of that lost identity and promote mindful consumption.”

By offering embroidered cloth bags as alternatives to plastic, the project encourages small but meaningful environmental actions—choices that honor both tradition and the planet.

Where to Find Andrra n’beze Products

Curious about where these creations could be found, I asked about their presence. She answered with pride:

“You’ll find us on social media—andrra_n_beze—and at various local fairs. We don’t have a physical shop or formal exhibitions yet, but every encounter with customers is an opportunity to share our story.”

Despite the absence of formal backing or exhibitions, Andrra n’beze thrives through the genuine admiration of those who value authenticity and craft.

Challenges and Community Involvement

As we chatted, her hands never stopped moving—threading, stitching, pulling. She spoke of challenges with a hint of sadness:

“The biggest challenge is keeping the youth interested. These skills are no longer taught in schools, and without patience and dedication, they risk disappearing. Yet, whenever visitors see our embroidered bags, they are fascinated. I’d love to organize workshops so these techniques don’t vanish with my generation.”

Her vision includes not just selling products but igniting a communal pride in local artistry and traditional crafts.

Long-Term Vision

We paused near a vintage wooden loom, a relic of her youth. Her voice softened:

“If we don’t invest time and energy into preserving these practices, we will lose a part of our soul. But with interest, support, and modern tools like social media, I believe we can breathe new life into embroidery, showing how art and sustainability can go hand-in-hand.”

Andrra n’beze stands as proof that old traditions can still have a vibrant, relevant future—if only we nurture them.

Advice for Aspiring Artisans

Before leaving, I asked her if she had any advice for someone wanting to learn:

“Start slowly. Embroidery teaches patience, focus, and peace. In today’s fast, noisy world, it offers a rare chance to slow down and reconnect with your hands, your mind, and your culture. It’s a gift you give to yourself—and to the generations after you.”

Parting Thoughts

As dusk approached, a soft breeze played with the dangling threads by the window. I traced the intricate patterns of a finished tote bag, feeling the echoes of a time when every stitch told a story.

Andrra n’beze isn’t just about cloth and thread. It’s a quiet resistance against disposability, a call back to mindfulness and beauty in daily life. As the founder packed away her needles for the day, one thing was clear: this is not just about saving a craft—it’s about saving a piece of who we are.