Wolof women in the West African nation of Senegal hand-weave baskets in the traditional coil weaving method, using natural grass. Interweaving colorful strips of plastic, salvaged from a mat factory in Dakar, the weavers brighten up the baskets and create designs.

Cattails grow abundantly in rural Senegal, making this natural grass a sustainable choice. The Wolof women earn a sustainable income from basket weaving, while enriching homes around the world with modern African craftsmanship.

This amply-sized laundry hamper basket features braided plastic handles and a snug-fitting removable lid.

Dimensions: 16"L x 16"W x 26-28"H

Crafted from: Typha (cattail) stalks, plastic

Made in: Senegal

Due to the handmade nature of this item, some variation is expected. Read our Statement on Handmade Variation to learn more. Fair trade.

This sweet butterfly sculpture is crafted from recycled metal wire and glass beads in shades of aqua or pink which are sprinkled with multi-color beads as a cheery accent. 

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

Dimensions: 6.5"W x 5"L x 1.5"T

Crafted from: Recycled metal, Beads

Made in: Kenya

These classic totes are woven from long strips of fiber extracted from the sisal plant, in alternating rows of petal pink and natural white. Simple woven sisal handles make this a 100% sustainable accessory.

Sold singly. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected.

Dimension: 12"D x 12"W x 10"H (14" from handles to base)

Crafted from: Sisal

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!

Coiling vibrantly dyed raffia over banana stalks, Ugandan artisans craft these beautiful, nature-inspired baskets. These baskets are functional art that can be displayed on the wall with its raffia loop, or put to use on the tabletop, the garden, and more.

Size: 12"D x 3"T. Because these are handcrafted items, colors and patterns may vary slightly.

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.

Kenyan artisans hand carve these whimsical unicorns from soft natural soapstone. Using non-toxic dye in a playful pink color for the mane and tail and only a touch of black for the eyes, each sculpture shows the natural creamy coloration of soapstone and features a unique finish of textured and polished stone.

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item made from natural stone, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions: 5"L x 2"W x3.5" T

Crafted from: Soapstone, dye

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

These beautifully contoured heart-shaped bowls are handcrafted from soft Kenyan soapstone, then dyed with either a vibrant fuschia or red finish and etched with a giraffe print pattern. Lovely as a jewelry dish; not food safe.

Measures 6"L x 5.5"W x 0.5"T. Fair trade.

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

"Children are the reward of life."

Stash cosmetics, art supplies, or other small items in this sweet pouch from South Africa! The gusseted bottom adds extra space to this small-but-mighty pouch. Beautifully screen printed, fully lined, backed with a coordinating pattern fabric, and finished with a contrasting zipper and ribbon pull; showcases the African proverb, "Children are the reward of life."

Size: 9.5"L x 6.5"T x 2"D. Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

About the Artisans:

At Yda Walt Studios in Johannesburg, South Africa, talented owner/designer Yda Walt and a small team of artisans dream up inspirational products centered on South African life and ethos.

"The world is truly round and seems to start and end with those we love."

Beautifully screen printed, this statement tote bag showcases Nelson Mandela's quotation, "The world is truly round and seems to start and end with those we love."

Size: 13.5"L x 4"W x 15"T (to top of bag), 24"T (to top of handles). Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each may vary slightly.

About the Artisans:

At Yda Walt Studios in Johannesburg, South Africa, talented owner/designer Yda Walt and a small team of artisans dream up inspirational products centered on South African life and ethos.

This luxurious gabi in light pink hues is woven from fine organic cotton into two wide panels, then hand-stitched together by artisans of Sammy Ethiopia. Worn traditionally in pure white for religious services, a gabi is an expansive textile that can serve in many ways - as a wrap or shawl, a throw blanket, a tablecloth, or even tied as a baby carrier.

You'll find many reasons to love this heirloom-quality handwoven textile!

Measures 59"W x 87"L. Due to the handmade nature of this item, size may vary slightly. Color variation is an expected feature, due to the handmade nature of this item.

Care instructions: Hand wash with mild soap. Hang dry.

About the Artisans:

The Sammy Ethiopia brand links the artisan skills of one of Africa's most ancient civilizations with American and European fashion know-how. The result is unique contemporary style that has already gathered fans from New York to Tokyo. A wealth of craft skills known in Ethiopia for thousands of years are applied to a style-forward range of fashion and home accessories to suit current global tastes. Collaborating with community organizations and cooperatives, Sammy Ethiopia creates employment to some of the world's most marginalized people in and around Addis Ababa.

Formed and fired in a specially built kiln at The Leakey Collection workshop near the Rift Valley, porcelain hearts are showcased in these sweet earrings hung on sterling silver wires. Handcrafted by Maasai artisans, each pair of Melt My Heart earrings is glazed in a beautiful soft pink, with Zulugrass and sterling silver beads added to match.

Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected. Zulugrass is made from sustainable, natural grass beads. The richly hued grass is dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass. 

Dimensions: 1.75"L x 0.75"W

Crafted from: Grass, porcelain, glaze, sterling silver

Made in: Kenya

Six beautiful strands of 26" Zulugrass to wear all together or in any grouping of 1 or more to make a wide variety of color combinations. Strung on elastic, it can be worn as a bracelet, necklace, anklet, hair tie and more. To wear as a bracelet, just wrap each strand around your wrist 3-4 times. Wear long as a necklace or wrapped around your neck as a choker. Necklace shown may not portray actual color combination.

Zulugrass 26" single strands are made from sustainable, natural grass beads. The richly hued grass is dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected. Zulugrass is as creative as the individual who wears it!

Sold as a set of six bracelets with an informative card.

Dimensions: 26"L

Crafted from: Zulugrass, glass beads, elastic

Made in: Kenya

The Leakey Collection's goal has always been empowering women in East Africa through work opportunity and now is providing additional entrepreneurship support to help their female Maasai neighbors build businesses through the proceeds of this bracelet. They will begin with a high-yield, low-impact dairy cattle program.

To wear, wrap the 26" Zulugrass strand, made from sustainable, natural grass beads, around your wrist 3-4 times. The richly hued grass is dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected.

Empowering women in East Africa through entrepreneurship, The Leakey Collection is also providing support to help their female Maasai neighbors build businesses benefiting their families, beginning with a high-yield, low-impact dairy cattle program.

This Women-Owned Multi-Strand Necklace combines 16 Zulugrass strands in vivid shades of red and fuschia. Each necklace features beautiful fallen acacia wood beads and is strung on a black satin cord that can be adjusted to lengthen or shorten the necklace's drape. The necklace can be adjusted to a total length of 33" and has a matching Multi-Strand Bracelet. Zulugrass strands are made from sustainable, natural grass beads, dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected.

Using proceeds from the sale of this Compassion Zulugrass bracelet, The Leakey Collection supports the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Give a gift to someone in your life who has or is going through a difficult time. Each 26" strand is packaged on a special tag--explaining how the proceeds will be allocated--and can be worn wrapped 3-4 times around your wrist or ankle or even long as a necklace. 

Zulugrass 26" single strands are made from sustainable, natural grass beads. The richly hued grass is dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected. Zulugrass is as creative as the individual who wears it!

This natural sisal storage basket is sprinkled with bright pink pom poms. These eye-catching baskets that can be used for chic storage in any room of the home. 

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

Dimensions:  12"L x 12"W x 10"H

Crafted from: Sisal, yarn

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!

Interweaving natural and dyed grasses to create intricate patterns, Tanzanian artisans hand-craft these stylish baskets. The baskets are named for the weaver, Maila, who perfected the new woven design.

These all-natural baskets are handwoven from milulu, a reed-like grass that grows near the city of Iringa, Tanzania. The milulu makes durable baskets, which can be rinsed with cool water and reshaped as needed.

Sold individually; choose from 3 sizes. Approximate measurements: Small 10" wide x 10" tall; Medium 12" wide x 12" tall; Large 13" wide x 13" tall. Because this product is handmade, size and design placement will vary.

About the Artisans:

Vikapu Bomba embodies the vision of Catherine Shembilu to create sustainable income for talented, rural Tanzanian women. For many women living in the lush southern highlands, life centers around subsistence farming, cooking, cleaning, and caring for children. Women can weave baskets between their other duties, working daily to earn money to pay school fees, buy food, procure farming supplies and contribute to savings. When a woman has money of her own to use or share, she has greater influence over her life and future.

Milulu grass reeds can be harvested carefully from the marsh without removing the entire plant. The reeds are dried in the sun, dyed with natural dyes, and split for weaving. The closeness to the earth of both maker and product gives these beautifully crafted baskets natural appeal.

Interweaving natural and dyed grasses to create intricate patterns, Tanzanian artisans hand-craft these stylish baskets. The baskets are named for the weaver, Maila, who perfected the new woven design.

These all-natural baskets are handwoven from milulu, a reed-like grass that grows near the city of Iringa, Tanzania. The milulu makes durable baskets, which can be rinsed with cool water and reshaped as needed.

Sold individually; choose from 2 sizes.

Approximate measurements: Medium 12" wide x 12" tall or Large 13" wide x 13" tall. Because this product is handmade, size and design placement will vary.

About the Artisans:

Vikapu Bomba embodies the vision of Catherine Shembilu to create sustainable income for talented, rural Tanzanian women. For many women living in the lush southern highlands, life centers around subsistence farming, cooking, cleaning, and caring for children. Women can weave baskets between their other duties, working daily to earn money to pay school fees, buy food, procure farming supplies and contribute to savings. When a woman has money of her own to use or share, she has greater influence over her life and future.

Milulu grass reeds can be harvested carefully from the marsh without removing the entire plant. The reeds are dried in the sun, dyed with natural dyes, and split for weaving. The closeness to the earth of both maker and product gives these beautifully crafted baskets natural appeal.

Perfect for small storage, these modern African baskets are woven using natural grasses and thin strips of plastic. Each basket features blossom-shaped accents and includes a fitted lid with braided pull handle.

The sale of the baskets helps support a network of rural Senegalese craftswomen and their families.

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

Dimensions: 8.5"L x 8.5"W x 8.5"H

Crafted from: Cattail stalks, plastic strips

Made in: Senegal

Using cattail stalks and strips of salvaged plastic, rural Wolof women in Senegal hand weave this useful open oval basket in pink with orange and silver. The oval shape and open top means this basket provides useful, beautiful storage in the home. Each basket features stripes in silver and orange against a pink background.

Sold singly. Because these are handcrafted items, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions: 16-17"L x 14-15"W x 10"H

Crafted from: Plastic strips, cattail stalks

Made in: Senegal

In the Pemba and Monze districts of Zambia's Southern Plateau, skilled Batonga women craft iconic baskets from locally harvested palm leaves and wild twigs. To update their classic designs with beautiful color, weavers tint the palm leaves with textile dye before weaving. These artfully handcrafted baskets make a great addition to any home decor.

Measures 22-23"D x 4"T. Due to the handmade nature of this item, size and color may vary slightly.

About the Artisans:

Famous for their basket weaving skills as well as their geometric designs, the Batonga women in the Pemba and Monze districts of Zambia's Southern Plateau create these baskets by first weaving palm leaves into a characteristic square to begin and then radiating outward to create dramatic patterns.

In the Pemba and Monze districts of Zambia's Southern Plateau, skilled Batonga women craft iconic baskets from locally harvested palm leaves and wild twigs. To update their classic designs with beautiful color, weavers tint the palm leaves with textile dye before weaving. These artfully handcrafted baskets make a great addition to any home decor.

Measures 22-23"D x 4"T. Due to the handmade nature of this item, size and color may vary slightly.

About the Artisans:

Famous for their basket weaving skills as well as their geometric designs, the Batonga women in the Pemba and Monze districts of Zambia's Southern Plateau create these baskets by first weaving palm leaves into a characteristic square to begin and then radiating outward to create dramatic patterns.

Talented Wolof women in rural Senegal utilize abundant cattail stalks and strips of salvaged plastic into beautiful storage hamper baskets for the home. The hamper includes leather trim.

Sold individually. Because these are handcrafted items, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions: 16"L x 16"W x 24"H

Crafted from: Cattail stalks, plastic, leather

Made in: Senegal

Talented Wolof women in rural Senegal utilize abundant cattail stalks and strips of salvaged plastic into beautiful storage hamper baskets for the home. The hamper includes leather trim, and leather ring handles.

Sold individually. Because these are handcrafted items, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions: 18"L x 18"W x 28"H

Crafted from: Cattail stalks, plastic, leather

Made in: Senegal

These vibrant heart dishes are hand-carved from solid soapstone in Kenya. The dishes are dyed to rich hues using natural plant dyes.

The dishes make great catch-alls for any occasion and are fair trade. Sold singly. Measure approximately 4"L x 4"W x 1"H.

About the Artisans:

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

The ladies of the Women’s Herbal Tea Co-op drink delightful hibiscus tea all day long. JusTea® has added their hand-picked, organic hibiscus to their caffeine-free herbal blend so you can sip and enjoy the same tea as the Kenyan women do! Little Berry Hibiscus is a beautiful burst of color: pink hibiscus petals, purple berries, green lemongrass and red rooibos, with vibrant, tart notes of hibiscus and sweet berries. It is also delicious over ice. Your tea purchase directly benefits the Women’s Co-op.

JusTea is dedicated to maintaining the whole tea leaf rather than the normal maceration which destroys much of the leaf’s natural complexities and depth. This allows the tea to be steeped multiple times, retaining the full flavor profile that whole leaf tea offers.

Each 115g tin includes a hand-carved wooden spoon and makes about 40 cups or when re-steeping, 80 cups. A recyclable refill pouch is now also available. Steeping Instructions: 1 teaspoon of tea per cup of 205°F water for 4-5 mins.    

See all teas in our African Coffee & Tea Collection.

The Bain family from Canada partnered with the Katah family and the Nandi Hills community in Kenya to establish JusTea®, Kenya’s first-ever, small-scale farmer-owned Artisanal Tea Factory. Fully staffed, managed, and owned by small-scale Kenyan tea farmers, JustTea was granted one of the first tea processing licenses to produce these artisanal, direct-from-farm teas by The Tea Board of Kenya. The tea farm is nestled in the rolling green Nandi Hills where its volcanic soil naturally produces some of the world’s most flavourful tea. This small specialty factory processes a rainbow of teas: Purple, Green, Oolong and Black artisanal teas.

"The world is truly round and seems to start and end with those we love."

Stash cosmetics, art supplies, or other small items in this sweet pouch from South Africa! Beautifully screen printed, fully lined, backed with a coordinating pattern fabric, and finished with a contrasting zipper; showcases the Nelson Mandela quotation, "The world is truly round and seems to start and end with those we love."

Size: 12.5"L x 1.25"W x 5.5"T. Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

About the Artisans:

At Yda Walt Studios in Johannesburg, South Africa, talented owner/designer Yda Walt and a small team of artisans dream up inspirational products centered on South African life and ethos.

This sweet ornament features a hand carved and hand painted flamingo perched on a piece of jacaranda wood branch with a raffia tassel.

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

Dimensions:  2.5"L x 2"W x 8"H

Crafted from: Wood, paint

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

Kamau is a talented carver and painter who specializes in bird art.

Organic chamomile and lemongrass help cleanse your body of toxins and calm your mind of stress. JusTea 100% organic caffeine-free herbal blend aids digestion and enhances absorption of iron. Smooth and sweet with notes of honey and flower blossoms, Chamomile Dream is flavored with herbs grown and hand picked by members of a Kenyan women's cooperative.

Sold as 12 tea bags in a tin. JusTea's Zero-Waste Pyramid Tea Bags are the most earth-friendly pyramid tea bags available, 100% plastic-free and compostable in just 3 weeks.

Steeping Instructions: 1 tea bag at 205 degrees for 4 mins

Meet JusTea's farmers

Dimensions:  3"L x 3"W x 4.75"H

Crafted from: Organic chamomile, organic lemongrass, organic licorice root

Made in: Kenya

See all teas in our African Coffee & Tea Collection.

The Bain family from Canada partnered with the Katah family and the Nandi Hills community in Kenya to establish JusTea®, Kenya’s first-ever, small-scale farmer-owned Artisanal Tea Factory. Fully staffed, managed, and owned by small-scale Kenyan tea farmers, JustTea was granted one of the first tea processing licenses to produce these artisanal, direct-from-farm teas by The Tea Board of Kenya. The tea farm is nestled in the rolling green Nandi Hills where its volcanic soil naturally produces some of the world’s most flavourful tea. This small specialty factory processes a rainbow of teas: Purple, Green, Oolong and Black artisanal teas.

This soft and absorbent cotton towel features pink banding and delicate fringe. This beautiful textile is perfect for use as a napkin or face cloth.

Sold individually. Measures 18-20"W x 20"L. Due to the handmade nature of this item, size may vary slightly. Color variation is an expected feature, due to the handmade nature of this item.

Care instructions: Hand wash with mild soap. Hang dry.

About the Artisans:

The Sammy Ethiopia brand links the artisan skills of one of Africa's most ancient civilizations with American and European fashion know-how. The result is unique contemporary style that has already gathered fans from New York to Tokyo. A wealth of craft skills known in Ethiopia for thousands of years are applied to a style-forward range of fashion and home accessories to suit current global tastes. Collaborating with community organizations and cooperatives, Sammy Ethiopia creates employment to some of the world's most marginalized people in and around Addis Ababa.

This soft and absorbent cotton towel features pink banding and delicate fringe. Quick to air dry, this beautiful textile can be styled as a cover-up, shawl or table runner.

Measures 37"W x 70"H. Due to the handmade nature of this item, size may vary slightly. Sold singly. Color variation is an expected feature, due to the handmade nature of this item.

Care instructions: Hand wash with mild soap. Hang dry.

About the Artisans:

The Sammy Ethiopia brand links the artisan skills of one of Africa's most ancient civilizations with American and European fashion know-how. The result is unique contemporary style that has already gathered fans from New York to Tokyo. A wealth of craft skills known in Ethiopia for thousands of years are applied to a style-forward range of fashion and home accessories to suit current global tastes. Collaborating with community organizations and cooperatives, Sammy Ethiopia creates employment to some of the world's most marginalized people in and around Addis Ababa.

Wolof women living in rural Senegal utilize salvaged strips of plastic and cattail stalks to create vibrant, useful baskets for the home. These scaled-down lidded baskets are a great way to present small gifts and baked goods.

Sold singly. Additional colors also available.

Dimensions: 5.5"L x 5.5"W x 6.5"H (size may vary slightly)

Crafted from: Cattail stalks, plastic strips

Made in: Senegal

This chic set of square nesting baskets is handwoven from strands of natural, hand-dyed sisal. An open weave panel adds a bit of visual interest to each basket, and short handles make it easy to transport the basket from place to place.

Sold as a set of three nesting baskets. We recommend spraying the sisal lightly with cold water to reshape your baskets.

Dimensions:
Small:  8"L x 8"W x 6"H (10" to top of handles)
Med:  10"L x 10"W x 8"H (13" to top of handles)
Large:  12"L x 12"W x 10"H (16" to top of handles)

Crafted from: Sisal fiber, dye

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 baskets are sold to local and international markets. Singing, dancing, and chatting make weaving for export an enjoyable social event!

Kenyan artisans portray iconic trumpeting African elephants in a simplified sculpture with its trunk raised. Dyed to a deep pink and polished to a smooth finish, these sculptures display beautifully alone or in a parade.

Sold individually.

Due to the handmade nature of these items, size and color may vary slightly.

Dimensions: 4.5"L x 2"W x 5"H

About the Artisans: 

Soapstone is mined in Kisii county in southwestern Kenya. We work with three different artisan groups in and around Nairobi who carve, polish and paint the stone to create beautiful pieces.

Artisans in the Bolgatanga region of Ghana weave this colorful tote from thick, tough elephant grass that has been dyed warm shades or red, pink, and orange. Bolga baskets can be easily wet down and reshaped, and can be used and enjoyed for years on end.

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

Dimensions: 11"L x 6.5"W x 9"H (15" including handles)

Crafted from: Elephant grass

Made in: Ghana

Care: Bolga baskets can be rinsed and reshaped as needed. Visit our Care & Shaping instructions to learn more.