Iskashitaa 2009 Holiday Catalog

Iskash*taa Refugee Harvesting Network 2009 Holiday Catalog Hello Friends of Iskash*taa Refugee Harvesting Network! As you are thinking of gifts to give your loved ones this holiday season, we ask that you consider buying Iskash*taa food products and refugee-made crafts. Your purchase not only assists Iskash*taa in continuing our mission to empower refugees and help them integrate into the Tucson community, but also provides supplemental income to our refugee crafters. We have assembled this catalog to show you some of our products. You can purchase the products featured here and many more at:

Poet’s Corner Holiday Art Sale: Saturday, Dec. 5th, 10AM- 4PM Featuring many community artists as well as Iskash*taa! 4221 E. Burns St. (NW of Broadway and Columbus) Parking available at First Brethren Church of Tucson (201 N. Columbus) & th The 4 Avenue Winter Street Fair: Fri-Sun December 11, 12, &13 10AM-6PM We will be located on the patio of the B Line Restaurant, 621 N 4th Ave. Thanks to Travis and the B line for once again sharing their space with us. & Holiday Artisan Mondays: 4-6 PM, Revolutionary Grounds: 606 N 4th Ave If you would like more information or have any questions, please contact me at (520) 722-9285 or [email protected]. Thanks for your continued support. -Tara Pullano, Resource Coordinator Catalog Index: Food products: 2-4

Accessories/Apparel: 5-9

Home Décor: 10-13

Refugee Services: 14-15

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Iskash*taa Fruit Frolickers Food Products

Current food products: mesquite flour, preserved lemons, jellies & marmalades, flavored vinegars

Iskash*taa staff, volunteers and refugees harvest more than 40,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables a year from backyards, gardens and farms in Tucson and the surrounding area. Most of this produce is redistributed throughout the refugee community and to Tucson organinzations that feed the hungry. However, we do use some of the gleaned foods to make yummy products to sell to the larger Tucson community. We do this not only as a fundraiser, but also to teach refugees about kitchen safety, sanitation, and food production. We always have a lot of fun in the kitchen and often learn new recipes from our refugee friends. We at Iskash*taa also believe that it is important not to waste the local food resources that are at our fingertips. Why not try some local goodies rather than buy food that comes from thousands of miles away? Balamani and Ismael show off Iskashitaa marmalades.

All of our delicious food products are prepared and packaged in a commerical kitchen. 2

Kumquat Pineapple Marmalade & Prickly Pear Jelly .5 pint jar: $6 All of our food products fit nicely in our drawstring gift bags; see page 13 for details.

African Preserved Lemons

in local lemon juice

This simple preserve consists of local lemons, organic lemon juice and sea salt. Taste second to none. A great addition to salads, pastas, rice, chicken dishes and more! A must-have for any foodie. Keep refrigerated. 1 quart jar, $15

Organic Mesquite Flour 100% Organic Tucson Mesquite Flour Locally Gleaned from the Tucson Botanical Gardens Mesquite flour is gluten-free, a good source of calcium, manganese, iron and zinc; high in protein and fiber and believed to be effective in controlling blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Omar and Dana prepare mesquite pods for grinding.

Use in pancakes, breads, cakes, cookies, muffins and more! Try replacing about 1/3 of the flour in a recipe with mesquite flour.

9.5 oz. (2 cups): $8 It may look like we have a lot, but we always sell out fast! Buy yours now or you might have to wait until next year!

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Flavored Vinegars These vinegars taste great and also look beautiful in any kitchen! Replace all or a portion of vinegar in any recipe with Iskash*taa desert inspired vinegars. Use to create Sonoran sauces, salad dressings, and marinades. With each use, top off the bottle with any vinegar to cover the fruit for a long lasting product. If desired, sparingly mince or chop the vinegar soaked fruit for use in a recipe, excellent in chutneys and relishes.

PomCran Vinegar Vinegar infused with pomegranates (harvested in Tucson!), cranberries, and rosemary

Cactus Vinegar Vinegar infused with prickly pear juice (harvested in Tucson!), cranberries, and rosemary Affordably priced in three sizes, our PomCran and Cactus Vinegars make wonderful hostess gifts or great stocking stuffers for your favorite foodie!

5 fl. oz. (.148 L): $5 8 fl. oz. (.237 L): $7 16.9 fl. oz. (.5 L): $10

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The Tucson Refugee Sewing and Crafts Circle The Tucson Refugee Sewing and Crafts Circle (TRSCC) is an innovative program of Iskash*taa Refugee Harvesting Network in collaboration with Tucson International Alliance of Refugee Communities (TIARC) with partial funding from the Tucson Pima Arts Council. TRSCC helps refugees learn basic sewing and craft skills, including weaving, quilting, and crocheting. With these skills, refugees make clothes and other useful things for themselves and their families. Participants also make products for sale to provide some extra household income. For many participants, the classes offer their first experience with these sewing and crafts activities. A particular focus of the TRSCC is teaching how to re-use and recycle fabric, yarn, clothing, and plastic bags to make new items. Please consider purchasing TRSCC crafts for yourself or your loved ones this holiday season. Disclaimer: Every TRSCC craft is an original piece. Variations in color, shape, or quality are normal and intrinsic to their unique character. No two crafts are the same.

Plarn: What is it? Plarn is plastic yarn made from used grocery and newspaper bags. Plastic bags are flattened, folded, cut into loops then linked together to make a long string of plastic. The plarn can then be crocheted and knitted like normal yarn. Our TRSCC crocheters mix brightly colored plarn with donated yarn to create durable accessories with a unique texture and appearance. Made from recycled materials, our plarn items not only look cool but also support the green movement. Go green: buy plarn products.

Plarn Water Bottle Holders: $8 A hands-free way to stay hydrated in the desert. Sling it over your shoulder and you are ready for any trek.

Muna stays cool with the help of her water bottle holder.

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Crochet plarn, yarn, & fabric purses

Thanks to Amani and Susan for modeling!

In sizes from big to small, great for both the young and young-at-heart, we have a crochet purse for every woman in your life.

Great for shopping or carrying your everyday must-haves; with these sturdy yet stylish bags can take everything you need to have at your side.

Styles, sizes and prices vary (most are $25-$35). Some are made from plarn, others from donated yarn or fabric. Some have stripes, others are variegated. Each one makes a distinct statement.

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Skinny Scarves: the next sensation in desert fashion!

Colorful, but not bulky, our Skinny Scarves are perfect thing to keep you warm and chic during our mild Tucson winters. Wear one or several for a layered look. Crochet Skinny Scarves: $10

Finger Knit Scarves: super skinny and super cool. Buy one for every outfit!

Finger Knit Scarves: $6

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Crochet & Knit Hats

For men, women, children and babies. Colors and styles vary.

Hats: $8-$15

Sewn Tote Bags & Harvesting Bags Crochet not for you? We also have a variety of sewn tote and harvesting bags made from recycled fabric and denim. Colors, sizes and styles vary.

Perfect for books, groceries, harvesting produce, hanging out at the pool, and more!

Sewn tote and harvesting bags: $10-$25

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Scrubs, baby clothing & more Our TRSCC sewers also make scrubs and many more original pieces of clothing. Come check out what we have. You never know what you will find!

William Aymard, Iskash*taa’s greatest supporter, models one of our scrub shirts.

Woven Purses/Netbook Holders Our crafters have taken some of our loom-woven mats (see next page for details) and sewn up the sides to create these wonderfully sturdy and padded bags that are perfect for carrying netbooks!

Fits netbooks with screen sizes up to 10.1” Various colors, styles and materials including denim and plastic. Woven Purses: $20-$25 9

Rag Rugs & Mats

The TRSCC has adapted the weaving and sewing skills gained in Africa and Asia to local recycled materials to create unique crafts such as these washable and durable rugs and mats. During a series of carpentry workshops, TRSCC refugees quickly learned how to construct the looms and began weaving. Large rugs utilize more than 10 yards of material and take 7 hours to create. Our crafters are now making rugs and mats out of various materials including old sheets, t-shirts, denim, plastic bags, as well as many types of fabric. Rugs: Approximately 24x42 inches, $60 Mats: Approximately 12x16 inches, $15

In colors that will complement any décor.

Above: This mat combines recycled fabric with plastic bags for a unique texture and appearance.

Our mats make lovely centerpieces. Pets love them too!

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Burundi Baskets, Bowls, Trays & Wall Hangings: Iskash*taa is working with several Burundian women to market their traditionally woven baskets to the people of Tucson. These women combine techniques learned in Rwanda and the refugee camps of Tanzania with local materials including palm fronds, yarn, and recycled bean and vegetable bags donated from the community to make a variety of uniquely-styled baskets. The baskets woven by refugees Tabia, Antoinette, and Eugenie reflect the weaving styles of Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. Baskets with straight sides and pointed lids are typical of the style in Rwanda and Tanzania while the rounded sides and lids are typical of Burundi. In refugee camps in Rwanda and Tanzania, women began weaving baskets to help make ends meet, while the men worked in agriculture. The women made baskets out of the materials available to them, using strands from food aid bags woven around coils of grasses and banana leaves. Though these baskets were traditionally used to store grain, flour, small household items, and for decoration, they also have cultural significance to Burundians. The baskets would be filled with food or a meal to bring to those sick in the hospital. They would also be given as gifts as symbols of hope and care to celebrate a wedding or birth.

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Burundi Baskets, Bowls, Trays, and Wall Hangings: $15-$100

Above: It looks like a trivet but it’s not! Traditional Burundi wall hangings: we call them “non-trivets.”

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Baby Quilts & Pillows

These small quilts combine shapes and colors to create quilts unlike any other you have seen before. Truly original. Prices vary by size.

Throw pillows in various sizes and colors.

Drawstring Gift Bags

Go green and support refugees this holiday gift giving season! Refugee made drawstring gift bags:  Recycled  Resusable for the recipient  Reasonably priced

These cloth gift bags are perfect for wrapping all of your holiday purchases and stocking stuffers. Various sizes, $3-$5.

Amani opens her drawstring gift bag and finds a surprise.

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Refugee Entruprenurial Services Threading: Threading is a process that has been around since ancient times in Asia. It is used to remove unwanted facial hair and shape eyebrows with a clean, beautiful defining edge. This process is done by using a thread which is twisted back and forth along the unwanted hair. This twisted action of the thread captures the hair and removes it out of the follicle.  Less painful than waxing or tweezing Areas that can be threaded  Less irritation and redness eyebrow, upper lip, forehead  Hair does not grow back as fast side burns, chin, full face  No chemicals used

Henna: A Henna tattoo does not use any chemicals at all. It is done by using only natural and herbal products which makes it very safe. These are temporary tattoos that last for 2 weeks. This enables you to change your design over and over if you so desire. It’s a safe and fun way to get a tattoo. No removal needed after about 2 weeks.

 Henna & Threading by Devika and Radhika  Henna tattoo art for birthday parties, girls’ night out, or other special occasions Eyebrow Threading –ancient Asian method of shaping eyebrows Call for personal appointment or parties (520) 312-4446 or (520) 339-0440 [email protected]

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 Hirsi Henna by Hamza  Hire henna artists for birthday parties, weddings, Eid, or other special occasions Sahra 891-2611, [email protected] Or Hamza 808-3424

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African Hair Braiding

Do you need your hair braided but don’t know where to go? Search no further! Fatuma Djafari is an African native and long-time hair braider. Come visit her at Unique Styles by Pamela & Company located on 22nd and Park. Various braids for children and adults

Native African Hair Braiding Rebecca Tiah

Liberian hair braider Primary Phone: 326-8825 Second Phone: 979-4669 E-mail: [email protected]

Contact Fatuma Djarfari at (520) 622-9900

Catering Services

Chhatra Tiwari Nepali Caterers (520) 829-8686 [email protected]

Sahra Hirsi Somali Caterer (520) 891-2611 [email protected]

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Thank you for reading our holiday catalog. Please share it with your family and friends. Remember to call us with your excess fruit or or donations of materials for sewing and crafts and don’t forget to check out our blog! Happy Holidays from the Iskash*taa staff: Barbara Eiswerth, Founder and Director [email protected] (520) 440-0100 Tara Pullano, Resource Coordinator [email protected] (520) 722-9285 Natalie Brown, Community Liaison [email protected] (928) 503-7496 Michael Mayette, Harvesting Coordinator and Food Product Manager [email protected] (520) 777-3386 Jodi McCloskey, Public Relations and Web Manager; Co-moderator, Tucsonrefugees Yahoo Group [email protected] (520) 991-6972 Ann Leenhouts, Development Specialist [email protected] (520) 661-1284 Paula Schlusberg, Sewing and Crafts Coordinator [email protected] (520) 615-8218 Sarah Shaffer, Office Assistant [email protected] (520) 870-8121

www.fruitmappers.org

No Refugee Left Behind!

No Fruit Left Behind!

Iskash*taa Refugee Harvesting Network’s Tucson Refugee Sewing and Crafts Circle is partially funded by the Tucson Pima Arts Council.

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