Behind every product in our Made in Syria section is a workshop, an orchard or a kitchen somewhere in the country. Some are family businesses that have done the same work for generations; others are young makers reviving a craft. We cannot introduce every one of them here, but we can show you the kinds of places your order comes from, and why buying from them matters.
Soap makers in Aleppo
An Aleppo soap workshop is a place of big vats, wide floors and patience. Olive oil, laurel oil, water and lye are cooked together, poured out to set, cut and stamped by hand, then stacked in airy towers to cure for months or longer. The maker's skill shows in the balance of oils and in knowing when a batch is ready.
Many of these workshops sell several laurel strengths, from gentle everyday bars to the strong 40% laurel soap. Read our Aleppo soap range to see the variety.
Olive growers in Afrin and Idlib
The north-west of Syria is olive country. Family groves are harvested in autumn, often by hand, and the fruit goes to the press soon after picking, which is one reason good oil tastes fresh and peppery. Growers may sell under their family name or through a local press.
Try the Afrin olive oil or the larger 3-litre Idlib extra virgin olive oil, and browse more in olive oil.
Damascus confectioners
A Damascus sweets kitchen starts early: thin pastry, nuts, ghee and syrup, layered and baked by people who learned by watching. Many of these businesses are run by families, with recipes kept in the household. Their trays end up at weddings, Eid visits and on the table when guests arrive.
The assorted baklava box is a good place to start, alongside the rest of our Syrian sweets and food.
Mosaic workshops in Damascus
In a mosaic workshop, rods of walnut, lemon and rose wood are bundled with bone and mother-of-pearl, sliced into thin tiles and fitted onto boxes, boards and frames. A single backgammon board can take many hours of careful work. These are some of the most skilled crafts in the section, and often the most treasured gifts.
Potters in Tartus
On the coast, potters shape local clay on the wheel and fire it in kilns, making bowls, jugs and plates for everyday use. Each piece carries small marks of the hand that made it. See the Tartus clay bowl and more in the pottery and glass range.
Woodworkers in Hama
Hama is known for its great water wheels, the norias, and local woodworkers keep that image alive in miniature. Carving and assembling a working model takes a steady hand and a good eye for proportion. The Hama noria wooden model is a favourite souvenir for anyone who grew up near the Orontes.
What you see on every maker's page
Every product in Made in Syria shows:
- The maker's name, whether a person, a family or a workshop.
- Their city or governorate, so you know where it was made.
- Their story, in their own words where possible: how they started, how they work, what they are proud of.
What the blue "trusted" badge means
Some sellers carry a blue badge. It means Shaam has verified the seller and marked them as trusted. It is a useful signal when you are choosing between similar items, but every seller in the section still follows the same order, delivery and return rules.
Why buying from them matters
- Your money stays local. Your purchase supports a workshop, its workers and its suppliers.
- Crafts survive when people buy them. Skills like mosaic and brocade weaving are passed on when there is work for the next generation.
- You get the real thing. Knowing the maker and city gives you a clearer picture of what you are buying.
- Your reviews help. A short, honest review after delivery helps good makers stand out and helps other customers choose.
Not ready to buy? Star a product to save it for later, so you can come back to the maker when the time is right.
Choosing a good gift from the section
Made in Syria is a natural place to look for gifts, especially for family and friends abroad who miss the taste or feel of home. A few pointers help:
- Think about travel. Soap, olive oil in sealed bottles, brocade and small wooden pieces pack easily; glass and large pottery need more care.
- Check shelf life for food. Sweets and oils show storage notes on the product page; plan the timing if the gift will travel on.
- Mix and match. A bar of soap, a small bottle of oil and a sweet box make a simple, very Syrian bundle.
- Share the story. Tell the person who made it and where. It turns a nice object into a meaningful one.
Are you a maker? Join us
If you make something in Syria that people would be proud to own or give, we would like to hear from you. Apply through our sell on Shaam page. Tell us what you make, where you work and how you produce it. Our team reviews applications and gets in touch about next steps, including how products are photographed, priced and delivered.
FAQ
Are all Made in Syria products handmade?
Not all. The section covers products made in Syria, from handcrafts to foods and small-batch goods. The product page explains how each item is made.
Can I contact a maker directly?
Questions about an order go through Shaam, so we can help if anything goes wrong. Use the Contact page and mention the product.
How fast do local products arrive?
They ship from inside Syria, so delivery is typically 1 to 6 days depending on your governorate.
In short
- Every product names its maker, city and story.
- The blue badge marks verified, trusted sellers.
- Buying and reviewing helps Syrian workshops keep going.
- Makers can apply at the sell page.
