Safari through African Folklore

While many people dream of going on an African safari, the twenty-six hour plane flight and cost of an air ticket to South Africa can be prohibitive. Now, Americans will be able to experience the wonder of an African Safari, learn about African tribal art, customs, traditions and wildlife through a creative and culture needle art called African Folklore Embroidery. Raikin, a South African native now living in California, has taught over six- thousand people the art of African Folklore Embroidery. She starts her national lecture and book signing tour in Pennsylvania at the Among Friends Workshop on April 16, 6-10 pm.

Safari through African Folklore Embroidery (www.aflembroidery.com)  takes the reader on a visual safari using the African Folklore Embroidery designs as the medium to explain and educate about wildlife, the people of South Africa, the art forms of the different tribes such as basket weaving, doll making and beading, the land and its vegetation. Illustrating Raikin’s commitment to women and children with AIDS in South Africa, a percentage of all book sales is donated to women and children with AIDS in South Africa..

What makes African folklore embroidery so unique is that NO prior needle work experience is necessary and beginners are stunned by their creative results.  No hoop is required, making this a great take-along project and any color can be used to stitch. You can use any color to stitch. The beautiful designs, pre- drawn by South African artists can be made into pillows, quilts, wall-hangings, and purses or stitched onto the back of jackets and bags, making this a functioning and multi cultural art form. The hand dyed threads incorporated in the kits are from South Africa and create employment opportunities for women. (South Africa has a thirty- percent unemployment rate). All the women involved in the thread dying process have been able to move from shack to formal housing with running water and electricity. Raikin, a special guest on HGTV’s , television show, Uncommon Threads will be signing copies of her new book, 

Where- Harrisburg Holiday Inn,

When April 16^th- 18^th 2009 To register for the African Folklore Embroidery experience or any other classes offered at the Among Friends Weekend, contact Debra Bender at (717) 938-2904 or halfmoonhandwerks@att.net 

Further information or interviewing/story ideas or pictures contact Leora Raikin at (818) 999-6094 info@aflembroidery.com www.aflembroidery.com

Press Ops:

• Obama influence- increased interest in Africa, election of Barak Obama, new interest in African Continent, start of African Art renaissance.

• In down times, doing hand crafts is relaxing ,therapeutic and inexpensive …

• Perceptions and images of Africa usually relate to starvation, AIDS and economic and political instability. African Folklore Embroidery reveals the rich art and culture from Africa and promotes and educates about Africa in a positive and inspirational manner. Most people would like to help people in Africa, particularly those with AIDS ,  however do not know how, when people purchase Safari through African Folklore Embroidery a percentage of each book sale is donated to woman and children with Aids through a charity in South Africa called Kidzpositive.

• Ideal way to combine art and culture, fuse art with education. Teach children and adults about Africa in a fun and creative manner

• Creating employment-  South Africa has 35% unemployment rate, when we purchase products from Developing countries we are helping to create employments, self sustainability, income generation and self esteem

• African Folklore Embroidery is all about Social Entrepreneurship and making a difference. Helping women, both in terms of proving employment in SA and through the educators program allows women in North America to teach others about AFL, in turn earning money from teaching and selling of products, national network established.

• Second careers, Raikin started her business as a result of battling, secondary infertility and miscarriages ….

• Book review: Safari through African Folklore Embroidery At first glance the book amy seem like a craft book but much more, its about battling infertility, coming to a new country as an immigrant, adapting to a new way of life, while still maintaining a connection to the country of birth, starting a new business, a desire to help, others make a different, not be a corporate woman, and involved in social entrepreneurship.

Contact Info: Leora Raikin info@aflembroidery.com (818) 999-6094 www.aflembroidery.com