Turkmenistan, a small country in Central Asia, has a rich culture and resembles the Salt Lake region with its desert climate and mountains. Turkmen girls learn embroidery from a young age as embroidery is used in every aspect of Turkmen people’s attire and home textiles. Growing up in Turkmenistan, Maya Meredova also learned about handweaving, painting, designing, smocking and sewing from her mother and grandmother. Today, she and her family have begun creating jewelry that incorporates these traditional techniques with contemporary styles.