Talented women in rural Rwanda use abundant, natural banana and sisal fibers to weave useful baskets for the home. This basket features a cream-colored sunburst on a field of black and tan. The petite size has many uses—use your basket to hold jewelry, bedside essentials like lip balm, or keys, or use the hanging loop on the back to add it to a wall display.

Sold individually. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly. Made from banana fiber and sisal.

Approximate Size: 7-8" wide x 2" deep

Made in: Rwanda

About the Artisans:

Trained by generations of local cultural tradition, the skilled artisans in Rwanda in East Africa craft stylish, high-quality accessories inspired by nature. Each handmade item is tightly woven with all-natural materials such as banana leaf fiber or sisal plants.

These striking baskets feature a natural cream swirl design set against black raffia and are handcrafted by coiling raffia over banana stalks by Ugandan artisans. This functional art can be displayed on the wall with its raffia loop or put to use on the tabletop.

Sold singly, available in two sizes. Because these are handcrafted items, colors and patterns may vary slightly.

Dimensions:
Small: 10"D x 2.5"H
Medium: 12"D x 3"H

Crafted from: Raffia palm, banana stalks, natural dyes

Made in: Kenya, Uganda

About the Artisans:

Uganda Crafts 2000 Limited, a member of the International Fair Trade Association teaches basic handcrafting skills to rural & urban women and provides income opportunities for the marginalised and disadvantaged: people with disabilities, widows, orphans, single mothers, women with minimal education, and people living with HIV. They handcraft baskets using natural raffia wrapped over coils of banana leaf stems.

Artistic creativity abounds within the striking geometric block design of this handcrafted pillow so patterns will be similar to the photo but will vary according to the vision of the artisan who hand-dyed this beautiful mud cloth. Includes a pillow insert.

The pillows are finished on the backside in a foldover enclosure. The cover measures 18"x 18"and insert measures 20" x 20". Natural cotton that is carded, spun, woven and dyed by hand may include variations in color and texture. This is an expected feature of handmade cloth.

About the Artisans:

Le Ndomo is a social enterprise created to address the unemployment problem of young people who have not had the chance to study or to attend school. Ndomo aims to give these young people training with local knowledge: In addition to technical training, it also aims to assist young people in life by facilitating their socialization and by giving them values that will increase the quality of their lives; responsibility, personal commitment, work and solidarity, in strict compliance with the values of traditional African society.

Rural Kamba women in Kenya hand weave these open top handbags from tough sisal fibers and attach leather handles. Stylish and durable, the perfect addition to any wardrobe!

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each may vary slightly.

Dimensions: 12"L x 12"W x 12"H (to top of bag), 18"H (to top of handles)

Crafted from: Sisal, dye, leather

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

In the rural Kenyan countryside around the city of Kitui, women specialize in weaving the tough fibers of the agave sisalana plant. Sisal's spiky leaf clusters erupt from a dry landscape and often requires long journeys to gather. Once woven, these womens' totes are sold to local and international markets. Singing, dancing, and chatting make weaving for export an enjoyable social event!