logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
46m 47s

S3E10. Beading Tatreez into Jewelry with...

Tatreez Talk
About this episode

ZEINA IS A JEWELRY DESIGNER AND FOUNDER OF ASHERAH JEWELLERY, DEDICATED TO CELEBRATING, PRESERVING, AND RAISING AWARENESS OF PALESTINIAN TATREEZ THROUGH HANDMADE BEADED JEWELRY (@ asherahjewelleryuk). Together, we hear about her journey as a half-Palestinian, half-Iraqi artist, growing up in a culturally rich household that shaped her creative identity. 

From her family roots in Ramleh to the deep influence of her mother’s pride in their heritage, Zeina opens up about how personal history led her to launch a brand rooted in love, resistance, and storytelling.

We explore the emotional significance of her work, the fusion of beading with traditional tatreez motifs, and the power of wearable art as a way to stay connected to identity across borders. Zeina speaks candidly about the challenges of creative entrepreneurship, the evolution of her relationship with tatreez, and how she hopes to spark curiosity and pride in others through her designs. Whether you’re into embroidery, jewelry, or cultural preservation, this conversation will leave your heart full and your creativity lit up.

FYI: Zeina ships her handmade pieces to the UK, US, and Canada—so you can carry a piece of heritage wherever you are.

You’ll hear about:

>> 1:28: Zeina’s connection to Palestine

>> 4:28: Tatreez: A family affair 

>> 9:33: The story behind founding Asherah Jewelry

>> 15:15: The impact of starting a culture-based business

>> 20:45: Navigating the diaspora in Jordan vs. London

>> 26:40: Relationship with tatreez now

>> 30:00: The Asherah Jewelry creation process

>> 37:01: The road ahead for Zeina

>> 39:23: Zeina’s major life lessons from tatreez

Rate, Review, & Follow on Your Favorite Podcast Platform

“I love Palestinian embroidery and Tatreez Talk.” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us elevate the vibrant narratives of Palestinian embroiderers and support more tatreez-ers — just like you — in learning more about tatreez and connecting with each other. You can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and others -- just scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We’re adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!


Follow us @tatreeztalk
Follow Amanne @minamanne & Lina @linasthobe

Up next
Oct 9
S5E4. In the Garden of Tatreez with Maryam
MARYAM IS A PALESTINIAN-KOREAN COMIC ARTIST AND WRITER BASED IN FINLAND (@mellu.art). She recounts her family’s displacement—from Haifa to Jerusalem to Jordan and finally to Finland—explaining how she rediscovered tatreez as an adult while searching online for traditional Palesti ... Show More
43m 27s
Oct 2
S5E3. A Generational Collaboration in Tatreez with Tala & Niveen from Palmera Art
TALA & NIVEEN ARE THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER TATREEZ ARTISTS AND DESIGNERS BEHIND PALMERA ART (@palmera_art). Their story is one of weaving memory and heritage across borders—from Jerusalem to Kuwait, Saudi, Canada, and now Dubai—while never losing sight of their Palestinian roots. In t ... Show More
47m 52s
Sep 25
S5E2. Tatreez, Intifada, and Teta’s Wisdom with Maryam
MARYAM IS A TATREEZ ARTIST AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZER BASED IN NYC (@MARYOOMAISTATREEZING). From her family’s village of Ein Yabroud in the Ramallah district to Venezuela to New York City, she shares how her early connection to Palestine came through political news on Al Jazeera bef ... Show More
42m 31s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2025
S09E03 - Art Deco⏐Josephine Baker’s secret bracelet
Can jewelry be used as an instrument in liberation or a tool in the struggle for freedom? It is the early 20th century. The world is abuzz with countless battles: those that tear nations apart, but also those for women’s rights.It is in this tumultuous context that the Art Deco m ... Show More
15m 13s
Mar 2025
Delve into the splendor of Art Deco treasures
Jewelry is often turned towards the future… In the interwar period, changes were stirring in the world of creative design. Jewelry was imbued with Modernity: radical forms, new materials, speed, lightness... These novel jewelry pieces reflected the changing standards of beauty. I ... Show More
1m 8s
Apr 2025
Food is Political | Fadi Kattan
Join us as we welcome renowned chef Fadi Kattan to Tarwida, diving deep into his rich family heritage and unique culinary journey. Fadi shares fascinating stories of his upbringing, the profound influence of his Teta’s kitchen, and his commitment to celebrating Palestinian cuisin ... Show More
53m 35s
Jul 31
Author and influencer Ghada AlMuhanna Abalkhail returns to discuss her latest book series and much more...
We're so back! And so is Ghada Almuhanna Abalkhail, the TWENTY30's cultural expert, who returns to the show to discuss her latest book series that explores the concept of the Saudi homeland through archival photographs. She shares insights and observations behind creating the boo ... Show More
1h 16m
Oct 3
Kiki McDonough on Changing How Women Buy and Wear Jewellery
Raised in a family of antique jewellery specialists, Kiki McDonough launched her namesake jewellery brand in 1985 with accessible pricing and pieces women could wear anywhere. Her early crystal-and-bow designs ended up in the V&A, while her growing client list came to include mem ... Show More
29m 50s
Aug 22
The Best of The BoF Podcast: Avery Trufelman on the Meaning Behind the Clothes We Wear
On her award-winning podcast “Articles of Interest,” host and producer Avery Trufelman dives deep into the stories behind the clothes we wear. From the evolution of prep to the origins of wedding dresses, Avery guides her listeners through the multi-faceted layers behind the aest ... Show More
41m 29s
Jul 2024
S05E04 - Perles⏐Les perles de Marilyn
Oubliez les chaînes en or et les grosses pierres : l’un des ornements les plus recherchés pour les célébrités masculines d’Hollywood et d’ailleurs, n’est autre que le collier perles. A$AP Rocky, Usher, Joe Jonas, Harry Styles, Timothée Chalamet, Shawn Mendes, Pharrell Williams… L ... Show More
14m 36s
Apr 2025
#7 - Art, Culture & The Arab Narrative: Rima Nasser of Selections Magazine
In this episode of "Tak on the Pod", Andrea sits down with Rima Nasser, founder of Selections Magazine, a platform dedicated to showcasing the richness of Arab art, design, and culture. Through Selections and initiatives like Cultural Narratives, Rima has created a space for arti ... Show More
29m 51s
Sep 15
The Brush that Carried a Homeland - Sliman Mansour (Arabic Episode)
Few artists have captured the soul of Palestine the way Sliman Mansour has. His paintings featuring olive trees, stone terraces, mud, and the steadfast women of the land have carried Palestine across generations and borders. In this conversation, Mansour looks back on his childho ... Show More
50m 42s
Sep 3
Living stories: art, space and memory
What does it mean to tell stories through the spaces we live in? And how can architecture be a source of memory and repair?In this bonus episode of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson revisits a powerful conversation with Kabage Karanja, architect, researcher, and co-foun ... Show More
15m 10s