Weaving and Middle Eastern Culture

This August Ben's mom came for a visit and we had an opportunity to visit a lot of the tourist places we wouldn't visit otherwise and show her the things that make Abu Dhabi what it is. One of the places we visited was the Heritage Village: a place preserving the traditions of the people who lived here before the discovery of oil created an explosion in their economical status and subsequently, their population and they no longer survived off of the land unless they chose to.

One of many craft booths available there was a weaving shop. I really appreciate things made by hand and especially those with beautiful detail and bright colors.

The gentleman at the loom was very friendly and passionate about his work. He was social and patient and enjoyed interacting with my husband in Arabic. He asked if we were Muslim, and when my husband responded that we were Christians, his eyes lit up and he told us the story of the Muslims and Christians in his country of Egypt who surrounded each other so that each could pray in safety.

 He was like most Muslims I have met here: respectful.

Something living in Abu Dhabi has shown us is the super hospitable, family oriented, and honorable side of a culture we would have never seen from in the States. I am thankful for the experience.

Homestead Heritage: Woodworking

Another workshop we visited on our homeschooling field trip to Homestead Heritage in Waco, Texas was the woodworking shop.

Both the stained glass and the doors were created by craftsmen in the community.

Inside was a spacious workplace with a wood stove to keep warm in winter.

Some of the beautiful things they have crafted in the woodworking shop include
a prize-winning violin, (among other instruments,) and really nice furniture.

One such piece of furniture is this handmade wooden bed frame...

which reminded me of a handcrafted wooden bed frame we had in Guatemala. 

Here's a photo for comparison:

Hand-crafted Hammered Dulcimers in Bennington, Oklahoma

Something I really enjoy about visiting different places, be they Guatemala, Canada, Mexico, Texas or Oklahoma, is finding people who specialize in doing things well by hand. Like many people, I see the decline in many hand crafted things and am worried by it. I appreciate people who have those specialized skills.


While in Guatemala we saw many amazing woodworkers, weavers, and leather workers to mention a few. While in the States, we took the opportunity while in Bennington, Oklahoma to visit a handmade hammered dulcimer shop: Master Works Hammer Dulcimers and Bowed Psalteries designed by Russel Cook.

We lucked out since our friends and cousin works there, and we got a personal tour!

First, Russel, part owner and craftsman of the handcrafted dulcimer shop, played an amazingly talented demonstration and explained some of the set up for chords and how to hold the hammers.

We then got to see many hammered dulcimers in progress on carpeted storage shelves to protect the beautifully finished different woods.

Russel showed us how the wood changes color with water, which gives you an idea of what the finished product will look like polished. This rare piece of wood alone cost as much as a used car!

Many tiny precise holes are drilled individually into each dulcimer.

Here is the hole-cutting station, one of the very labor intensive parts of creating a good dulcimer.

A hammered dulcimer is played on a special stand. My cousin uses this station to create the stands.

Another of my cousin's workstations where she sands the delicate dulcimer parts by hand.

A customer trying his hand at playing the dulcimer.

I was amazed at how much precision and intricate detail went into each and every hammered dulcimer. People from all over the world who know how to play hammered dulcimers know about this little shop in Bennington, OK. Hand-crafted hammered dulcimers can sell anywhere from $1,200-$5,000 depending on the rarity of the wood, age, condition and special additions. If you would like to see a hammered dulcimer being played, check out this version of Amazing Grace: