Pardes Hanna-Karkur: A New Artists' Colony for Lazy Afternoons

Hi there!

 There is a new adorable complex in Pardes Hanna-Karkur called "Urvot Haomanim", which translates into "The Artists' Stables". You won't believe it! A number of artists took over a set of abandoned stables and turned them into a little soho of goodness. There is a little something to do there for everyone.

Roaming Round the Stables
 

The stables have turned into an alley of boutiques that offer a wide variety of arts and crafts. To name a few, there are:

 Dafna and Dan - This delightful colorful studio immediately attracted my attention with it's bright display of ceramics, paintings and sculptures by Dafna Kastenboym and Dan Shamir.
 

Abracadabra - A Macrame studio shop belonging to designers and artists, Racheli and Yona. You can find beautiful macrame covered lampshades, curtains and other accessories for purchase and can even register for one of the macrame workshops or buy threads if you're handy at it too.

Above Diagonally: Dafan and Dan and Abacadabra

 BioFeellia Botanic Collections - A botanical sculpture studio managed by Sol Keren. The studio offers unique plant arrangements and other atmosphere products that correspond with nature.
 

Urbanic Tribe by Charu Vyas - A fashion studio combining the designer's love of classic Japanese urban lines and her attraction to the wild tribal world.
 

Hadas Mor - A designer lingerie shop. Hadas comes from a diverse cultural background (worked in Kenzo, Paris) and lived for many years in Paris. Her elegant style honors the feminine body.

Clockwise from Top Left: Urbanic Tribe, Hadas More and Biofeelia

 Royal Gypsy - A brand of designer clothes by Michal Monka. Michal's dresses are flattering, full of chic, splendor and beauty and are embroidered with sacred symbols from different cultures and can be paired with lovely jewelry. Each dress is accompanied by a certificate, that explains the symbol woven on it and the energy stored in it.

 Naveenew - A men's fashion boutique.

Terra Teva - Founded in 2012 by chef Raya Erika Mirian, Terra Teva is a brand of cosmetics and skin care products based on SuperFoods that provide natural nourishment and beauty solutions based on raw kitchen techniques.

Clockwise from Top Left: Royal Gypsy, Naveenew and Terra Teva

 Atelier - A studio of hand-painted tiles. The studio works with public builders, renovators, architects and interior designers and also holds beautiful accessories, carpets, cushions, paintings and other handcrafts from Israel and abroad.

 LaRosh - The name LaRosh translates into "The Head" and is a unique mix of a boutique hat shop and barber shop managed by Amalia Dan, the milliner and her partner Shlomi, the barber. Amalia studied at Rakefet Levy's school followed by a few years in New York where she found herself in a hat studio founded in the early 1920s on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. There she learnt the almost extinct secrets of the hatmaking profession.

Above: Arsalim with Shirli Nawi, the crib and me taking a break. It's very relaxing!

 Arsalim - This creative hammock studio designed by Shirli Nawi, offers hammocks of all sizes including an adorable crib hammock. It is an immediate favorite of children and naturally their parents. I took a swing at it myself.

 Samaya Fashion - Another fashion studio of designer women's clothing. Samaya brings fabrics from Greece and India and creates small quantities of authentic, flattering yet comfortable evening clothes and everyday wear with her own unique twist.

 Visiting the Arba Imahot Alternative Therapy Clinic for a Session
 
 Arba Imahot is a small clinic with five treatment rooms that works with a variety of alternative therapy professionals. The clinic is run by Neta Asulin, a family counselor, but offers among others: Chinese and Japanese Acupuncture, Massage, Craniosacral therapy Healing, Couples Counseling, Tarot card opening and more.

 I enjoyed a Japanese Acupunture session with Moshe Beker who specializes in endocrinology, orthopedics and pain-related conditions.

Above: Moshe Beker before my acupuncture

 Taking your own swing at creativity at Alina's Studio
 

Alina's studio is a painting studio. It opened five years ago in order to create a pleasant, homey and inviting space for exploration, experimentation and self-expression in the language of painting.

 During the week there are regular classes for children, youth and adults as well as one-time workshops and courses. Most of the classes are given by Alina Oren - the founder of the studio. Alina studied for a BA in painting (New York) and an MA in art therapy (in Israel).

Above: Alina's Studio

 Alina's form of learning combines the technical knowledge she has as a painter with her understanding as a therapist that painting evokes the emotional world and the strong therapeutic power of the creative process.

 The studio also has 'open studio' days in which the space opens for those who wish to paint together, without any commitment or guidance.

 Taking a Yoga class or Staying for a Show at the Unicorn Club
 

The Unicorn Club, managed by the Israeli actor Shai Avivi and Michal Libidinsky hosts performances, workshops and yoga. It serves as a community center, meeting place and culture club all in one.

Above: With Shai Aviv from the Unicorn Club

 Getting a Bite to Eat and Listening to Live Music
 
 In the common yard there is a vegan-vegetarian restaurant (Hatzvi Café), an Indian restaurant (Rajananda) and a variety of food carts that offer an assortment of dishes from sushi to smoked meats, freshly baked breads, a fresh fruit and vegetable stand and a small grocery store with lots of spices in pretty jars.

 The performances take place on Wednesday evenings and on Friday afternoons in the backyard of Hatzvi Café.

Above: With some friends at the Hatzvi Cafe with live music outside

 In short, the complex is open all week. It's about an hour's drive from Tel-Aviv and has plenty of free parking. It is also close to the train station so really, you have no excuse.

This is what it looks like on the map:

 Have a Great Weekend!

 Best,
 
 Talma

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