museums&MORE Spring 2020

Turquoise Mountain is Giving Back By Debbie Eisele

Jennie Graham, head of communications for Turquoise Mountain shared how its mission helps revive traditional crafts, to create jobs, skills and a renewed sense of pride.

Company Mission

Turquoise Mountain was founded in 2006 by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to preserve and regenerate historic areas and communities with a rich cultural heritage and to revive traditional crafts, to create jobs, skills and a renewed sense of pride.

How do your products serve the mission?

All of our products are made by Turquoise Mountain supported artisans in Afghanistan, Myanmar and the Middle East. Each piece sold creates much-needed income for artisans, as well as showing others that the craft industry offers a sustainable financial future and encouraging them to learn these skills. It is in this way that traditions are kept alive and preserved for the next generation.

Plans for the future?

We have just embarked on a new project, generously funded by the United States Agency for International Development, focused on building the capacity of Afghan artisans and connecting them with international markets. So in the immediate future our focus is on bringing carpets, jewelry and other handmade items from Afghanistan to consumers in the U.S. and beyond. We are also building our product offering in other countries, with a new textiles project in Myanmar and new lines of jewelry and woodwork in Jordan.

How can retailers get involved?

To discuss a potential collaboration or to hear more about any of our product lines, retailers can get in touch with our sales team at sales@turquoisemountain.org.

>>ALSO SEE: Elsie & Zoey Brand is Giving Back.

Debbie Eisele

Debbie Eisele is the former managing editor for Gift Shop Plus, Stationery Trends and a variety of special issue publications, including: The Guide, Holiday Shop, Celebrations & Occasions and Waterfront Living.