Farhana is an artisan based in Multan, in Punjab province of Pakistan.
I wanted to share a bit more about her and her family, as we don't often get to share the behind-the-scenes on artisans and their families.
Farhana learned hand-embroidery, crochet, applique work and other techniques from her mother and other women around her.
During the Covid-19 lockdown, she had to find a way to generate an income for her family. So, she started taking on hand embroidery orders to supplement her family's income. Their family business had shut down during the lockdown.
During the lockdown, Farhana also became active on social media. Locals started noticing her work. Then her social media feed started gaining traction overseas. She started to hand-embroider family portraits. This initiative became very popular. She started receiving international orders.
Farhana also banded with other women who knew crafts such as crochet and blockprinting. Together, these women fulfill orders for small businesses like ours.
Farhana also had a big dream: to see her children receive an education and be successful in their lives. Her husband supported her dream and decision.
Farhana's three children have been able to complete college, an incredibly proud moment for this mother. Two of her daughters are medical doctors. The older daughter is also an artist, and she helps Farhana with tracing, one of the stops invovled in transferring patterns and designs from paper to the fabric that will be hand-embroidered.
This summer, Farhana's neighborhood, along with much of the Punjab province, was inundated with floods from heavy monsoon rains and dam waters being released from India, because of the monsoon.
Millions of people were displaced, and about 900 lives lost due to floods.
As of September. the water levels started to recede, and displaced families were allowed to go back to their homes. 
