tserakordz circle: armenian needlelace

introduction

Mirroring historic ways handwork traditions were passed on between relatives, neighbors, and friends, Armenian Needlelace Initiative co-founder Elise Youssoufian guides the Tserakordz Circle, a weekly in-person gathering to grow skills, share stories, and build community. Tserakordz (Western Armenian pronunciation of ձեռագործ) means “handwork.” Among Western Armenian-speaking diasporans, this term is often used to refer to the needlelace, also typically known as ժանյակ (janyak) in Eastern Armenian.

See below for more information on the Tserakordz Circle, including how to register!

Additionally, several other skilled makers offer needlelace learning opportunities. Visit our Teachers page for a growing directory of other instructors (coming soon), and see our Texts and Videos pages for alternative ways of learning. For reflections on the past, present, and evolving futures of Armenian needlelace including its cultural contexts and healing potentials, read our essay, “On Needlelace.” While tricky to master, practicing this art can be infinitely rewarding to the patient seeker.

overview

When: Sundays, 4pm to 6pm Pacific Time throughout 2026

Where: Elise Youssoufian's home/studio in Lisjan (Ohlone) territory (Oakland, California)

Part workshop and part practice space, the weekly Tserakordz Circle is open to anyone seeking to make the life-affirming art of Armenian needlelace and experience its rich cultural significance in a supportive learning community. For a nominal fee, returning students are welcome any Sunday, and new students, any first Sunday of the month through December 2026.

New students begin with the fundamentals, making knots and loops on fabric edges to create a sampler of key patterns. Continuing students dive into more complex techniques and learn tips and tricks for making circular lace medallions and doilies.

Returning students, bring your works-in-progress or start something new! The flow of each Tserakordz Circle session is based on the skills and interests of those who attend and may include viewing needlelace examples in Elise’s personal and ancestral collections.

All students are eligible to participate in a December 2026 group show, to celebrate our journeys and present our creations!

To register for the Tserakordz Circle, please complete the form at the bottom of this page.

about the teacher

The Tserakordz Circle is led by skilled needlelace maker Elise Youssoufian (she/they), who began learning from experts in Armenia in 2019 and has continued expanding her artistry on her own ever since, through countless hours of study and practice. A Women's Spirituality PhD student researching relationships between handwork, healing, and resistance, Elise holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts and is a board-certified therapeutic musician. As a healing-centered poet, artist, and scholar, they have been teaching since 2009, and offering needlelace workshops 2021 onward in the US and Armenia.

To learn more about Elise’s needlelace journeys and view examples of their work, please see Elise’s maker portfolio on this site.

about the space

Elise’s home/studio near downtown Oakland, California—shared with her feline familiar—features natural light, happy plants, and herbal teas galore. Please note: entering involves stairs, sans elevator. To explore accessibility options, please fill out the form below and note how you would like to be supported.