Mr. Hani Handal
Where Craft Meets Bethlehem. Creating each piece with care, creativity, and attention to details from the workshop in Bethlehem.
Craftsperson & Workshop Owner - Bethlehem
I established my workshop in Bethlehem in 2007. We specialize in casting zinc alloy and producing religious and tourism-related products, including keychains, small metal plaques and metal components used in olive-wood products.
An important part of our work is developing our own models. We begin with the design, prepare the model and engrave it ourselves before moving into production.
The workshop is a hands-on working environment. We rely on the experience we have built through the years and remain involved throughout the production process, from preparing the original model and casting to finishing and checking the final piece.
From an Idea to a Finished Piece
When we work with Melior Mundus, the process usually begins with their graphic idea or design.
The first step is to develop that idea into a 3D file. We work with a graphic designer to translate the drawing into a form that can be produced. Once the 3D version is ready, we review it and share it with Melior Mundus for approval.
If changes are needed, we make the necessary adjustments and submit the design again. We only move forward once the design has been approved.
After approval, we use a CNC machine to engrave and produce the original model in the workshop. That model is then used to create the pieces for production.
This process has been learned through experience. It is not a craft that was simply passed down through my family or taught by previous generations. We learned by doing the work, experimenting and improving our skills over time.
Working with Melior Mundus
Our work with Melior Mundus begins with an idea and continues through a process of communication, development and careful production.
Their designs give us the starting point. Our role is to help turn those ideas into pieces that can actually be produced while remaining faithful to the original concept.
The exchange between the two sides is important. We review the design, develop the technical details, make adjustments when necessary and continue only after the design has been approved.
For me, the goal is not simply to manufacture a piece. It is to make sure that the finished product reflects the original idea through the quality of the work, the details and the final finish.
Working on pieces for Melior Mundus gives this work an additional sense of purpose because the products are connected to the history, spirituality and identity of the Holy Land.
Knowing where these pieces come from and what they represent makes the work more meaningful. They are not simply metal products. They carry a connection to Bethlehem and to the land and traditions represented by the objects we create.
For me, that connection makes the responsibility for the craftsmanship even more important. From the smallest detail to the final finish, the piece should reflect the meaning behind the idea.
The People Behind the Work
The core knowledge and experience required for the craft remain within our workshop. We do not bring in outside specialist craftsmen for the main work.
Other members of the workshop assist with specific production stages, including casting and finishing, under our supervision. We also have a dedicated quality-checking stage during finishing, where each piece is carefully examined before moving forward.
Ultimately, I take responsibility for the quality of the finished product.
If something is not right, it does not simply pass through the workshop. Pieces that do not meet the required standard are rejected and, when necessary, recycled and produced again.
Quality and attention to detail are central to the way we work.
Many of the pieces we produce include faces, figures and different shapes, where small details need to remain clear and well defined. The finishing is equally important. Even a well-designed piece can lose its quality if the final finish is not done properly.
Before a piece leaves the workshop, it is checked carefully to make sure it has been properly finished and that there are no obvious defects.
We also take responsibility for our work after it reaches the customer. If a mistake is found in something we have produced, we consider it our responsibility.
Craftsmanship and Bethlehem
Because we live and work in Bethlehem, the character of the products we create has a particular meaning for us.
Bethlehem is known as the city of the birth of Christ, and many of the pieces we make are connected to this religious and cultural identity.
For me, craftsmanship means producing something with good detail, careful finishing and meaning. I feel proud when someone holds one of our pieces and appreciates not only what it represents, but also the details and quality of the work.
That is what makes the work rewarding: seeing an idea become a real piece and knowing that someone can hold it and appreciate the work that went into making it.
We like to put our own creativity and touch into the pieces we make. For me, the details and the finishing are what make a piece special. I am proud when a visitor holds our piece, looks at the details and likes the finishing. That is when I feel that the work has been done well.
For the glory of God and the good of His people.