Marlina Handmade Crafts

Marlina Handmade Crafts – An Egyptian Brand Empowering Rural Women

Marlina Handmade Crafts is an Egyptian social enterprise founded in 2015 by Sherine Samy and her husband Amir Moris in Quesna, Menoufia. The project was created to empower rural women and revive handmade crafts, with products that proudly carry the signature Made in Egypt and are finished to export quality standards.

From Personal Passion to a Development Project

Sherine Samy, founder and director of Marlina Handmade Crafts, graduated from the Faculty of Arts, Menoufia University, in 1998. She began her professional career in sales and marketing with a leading American cosmetics company, but she always carried a deep passion for handmade crafts and the cultural and human value they represent.

The First Question: Why Don’t Rural Women Work from Home?

In 2015, Marlena was born from a simple but powerful question: Why don’t we have Egyptian handmade products with export-level quality? And why can’t rural women work from their homes and earn a stable, decent income? 

While exploring this idea, Shereen discovered that only a very small number of women actually had strong craft skills. The real starting point, therefore, had to be training. The project quickly evolved from a small craft idea into a development initiative whose main goal is to create genuine work opportunities for rural women, while preserving their dignity and independence.

Training First… Then Creativity and Export-Level Quality

Shereen decided to go back to the roots of the craft and build skills from the ground up. She established a structured, free training program for women from surrounding villages in:

• Fine hand embroidery.
• Crochet in both contemporary and heritage-inspired designs.
• Leather products made from high-quality, natural materials.

Each piece is monitored through every stage of production to ensure that the final product meets strict quality standards. Every item is crafted to a level that suits both the local and international markets, and proudly reflects the message: “Handcrafted in Egypt by women whose hands are worth silk.”

From 3 Women to 42 Artisans Across 5 Villages

Marlena started with just three women. Today, thanks to perseverance, hands-on follow-up, and a shared dream, the project has grown to include:

• More than 42 artisans working on a regular basis.
• 5 different villages in Menoufia governorate.
• Women aged between 25 and 70 years old.
• All working from their own homes, in a safe and respectful environment.

Marlena’s product range includes:

• Hand-embroidered home textiles and garments.
• Unique crochet pieces with a modern touch.
• Handmade genuine leather bags and wallets for women and men.

From Menoufia to Creative Egypt – A Mark of Quality

Marlena Handmade Crafts has been officially selected as part of the Creative Egypt initiative under the Ministry of Social Solidarity. This recognition is granted only to artisanal products that meet high standards of quality, authenticity, and craftsmanship.

This selection confirms that Marlena’s work:

• Is meticulously crafted and professionally finished.
• Reflects a clear Egyptian identity in both design and execution.
• Is suitable for local markets and ready for international exports.

An Egyptian Product Travelling the World

Over the years, Marlena has grown from a small local initiative into a distinctive Egyptian brand whose products travel to:

• The United States of America.
• Several European countries.
• A number of Arab countries.

Every piece that leaves Egypt carries the story of a woman in the countryside, her time, effort, and training, and the pride of a community that believes in the value of authentic handmade work and sustainable income.

Marlena – More Than a Brand, a Shared Dream

Marlena Handmade Crafts began as a personal dream, but today it has become a collective dream shared by dozens of women from rural Egypt. Each woman has her own story, but they are united by one goal: to earn a dignified income, to create beauty, and to secure a real opportunity for a better life.

Marlena is not just a handmade brand; it is a platform for empowerment, a school of craft, and an ongoing story of art and development that proudly writes every day:

Handcrafted by skilled Egyptian women… Proudly Made in Egypt.