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 tarapullano@gmail.com. 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.

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 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! 3
 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. 5
 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

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 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

Above: This mat combines recycled fabric with

plastic bags for a unique texture and appearance.
In colors that will complement any décor.

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   Hirsi Henna by Hamza 
Henna tattoo art for birthday parties,
Hire henna artists for birthday parties,
girls’ night out, or other special occasions
weddings, Eid, or other special
Eyebrow Threading –ancient Asian method of shaping eyebrows
occasions
Call for personal appointment or parties
Sahra 891-2611, sahrahirsi@yahoo.com
(520) 312-4446 or (520) 339-0440
lonlydevika@yahoo.com 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 Native African Hair Braiding
an African native and long-time hair braider. Rebecca Tiah
Come visit her at Unique Styles by Pamela & Liberian hair braider
Company located on Primary Phone: 326-8825
22nd and Park. Second Phone: 979-4669
Various braids for children and adults E-mail: tiahrebecca@yahoo.com
Contact Fatuma Djarfari at
(520) 622-9900

Catering Services

Chhatra Tiwari Sahra Hirsi

Nepali Caterers Somali Caterer
(520) 829-8686 (520) 891-2611
Chhatra_tiwari@yahoo.com
sahrahirsi@yahoo.com

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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
Eiswerth@Iskashitaa.org (520) 440-0100

Tara Pullano, Resource Coordinator

tarapullano@gmail.com (520) 722-9285

Natalie Brown, Community Liaison

natalie.sue.brown@gmail.com (928) 503-7496

Michael Mayette, Harvesting Coordinator and

Food Product Manager
michael.mayette@gmail.com (520) 777-3386

Jodi McCloskey, Public Relations and Web Manager;

Co-moderator, Tucsonrefugees Yahoo Group
jkmccloskey@gmail.com (520) 991-6972

Ann Leenhouts, Development Specialist

annleenhouts@aol.com (520) 661-1284

Paula Schlusberg, Sewing and Crafts Coordinator

pschlusberg@earthlink.net (520) 615-8218

Sarah Shaffer, Office Assistant

fruitmapper@gmail.com (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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