“I’m proud to have my own independent business as a craftsman, an acquired knowledge and experience I learned from my father”
Introduction
Nejib is a 36 years old Tunisian craftsman and proud to call himself an artist in the craft field. He’s creative and works with a great love for the profession he practises.
Nejib runs his workshop with a team consisting of 12 men and women. The ages of his team ranges from 25 to 40 years old.
A couple of men are very competent in these crafts since they have more than 20 years of experience. In contrary to the women who are new to this field, just like Hassen and Achref. As the two youngest of the team, they learn craft from grandmaster Nejib.
I tell people that if they want to learn a real craft, they can come and work in our workshop. I teach them that they can improve their abilities, skills and talents while learning the art of woodworking.
We work together on a completely equal basis, with full confidence in each other. That trust is the basis of cooperation. Everyone in our team knows that we are there for each other. This applies to ourselves, but also between us and the customers.
“I have mastered making larger olive wood objects such as salad bowls”
“Craftsmanship is not doomed to disappear. It is a sector that provides jobs to a country that desperately needs them.”
Legacy
I got the profession of woodworker from my father, so in this case it is passed on from father to son. It’s a wonderful legacy, a profession I’ve known since childhood. He soon taught me how to make objects and I improved the skill with time and practice. I’m proud to have my own independent business as a craftsman, an acquired knowledge and experience I learned from my father.
The wood we use comes from trees that no longer bear fruit. We never throw anything. away, because we use every piece of wood. We harden the wood with water and salt so that the products become extra strong and last for years. All steps in this process are taken in our workshop.
I have mastered making larger olive wood objects such as salad bowls. I generally make all kinds of larger products, because I work with large pieces of wood. I consider myself an expert in this field, as there are not many craftsmen who work on larger objects and refine them well.