Trained by generations of local cultural tradition, skilled basket-weavers in Rwanda in East Africa craft stylish, high-quality sisal baskets inspired by nature. Tightly woven, these all natural baskets can be used for storing fruit and vegetables, serving bread, organizing toys or just hanging on your wall to add for unique home decoration.

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

Dimensions:
Small: 10"L x 10"W x 2.5"H
Large: 12"L x 12"W x 3"H

Crafted from: Banana fiber, sisal

Made in: Rwanda

About the Artisans:

It is typical for many women in developing countries to depend solely on their husbands for financial needs, but Songa Designs International is changing this dynamic. By working for Songa, under-resourced women are encouraged to pursue economic independence, simply by using skills acquired through everyday life. Songa Designs provides jobs for over 150 women who in turn negotiate their own salaries and earn fair wages, which enables them to buy land, health insurance or send their children to school for the first time. 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.

Add storage with classic style in any room of your home with this set of tall, white hamper baskets with a slightly tapered silhouette. The set features two nesting sizes, woven from sustainable natural grasses and white plastic strips repurposed from a prayer mat factory in Dakar, Senegal. These fair trade baskets are made by Wolof women in remote Senegal, who earn a sustainable income through weaving.

Sold as a set of two. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions:

Large: 19"L x 19"W x 22"H

Small: 15"L x 15"W x 17"H

Crafted from: Typha (cattail) stalks, plastic

Made in: Senegal

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

Within a frame of rustic hessian (jute) fabric in a rich cocoa brown, Congo raffia panels are highlighted in these uniquely African table runners. Because this table runner is crafted from handmade Congo raffia elements, each one is unique and em>designs may vary from photo.

Measures 14"W x 60"L.

About the Artisans:

While she was trained to be a secretary and teacher, Joyce Mibenge turned her passion for tailoring into a thriving small business called African Joy in Zambia. Now working with her three daughters, African Joy employs five tailors, two bead workers and three other staff.

Using strands of natural sisal, women living in remote areas of rural Kenya earn income by crafting beautifully simple baskets that can be used for chic storage in any room of the home. Sisal is a natural fiber extracted from an agave plant, so the baskets are coveted for their durability and ability to be re-shaped.

Sold individually. Choose from Medium or Large.

Approximate measurements: Medium 14" wide x 10" tall (to top of basket), 14" tall including handles. Large 16" wide x 10" tall (to top of basket), 14" tall including handles. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, some variation may occur.

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!

[back_in_stock]30[/back_in_stock]

Durable and roomy, this handwoven sisal tote will allow you to carry all kinds of gear! Sustainable and fair trade, the perfect staple for your wardrobe.

Measures 16"D x 16.5"T. Due to the handmade nature of this item, slight variation is expected.

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!

[back_in_stock]30[/back_in_stock]

This eye-catching copper disc bracelet is handcrafted by young self-taught Zambian women of F.R.E.E (Foundation for the Realization of Economic Empowerment) using copper recycled from used water heaters and wire, sometimes adding a patina. Defying gender norms by becoming metalsmiths for jewelry-making, these women showcase modern Zambian skill in their F.R.E.E. Woman jewelry.

Sold singly. A matching necklace and earrings are available. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions: 1"W x 9"L (from end to end, unclasped). Length can be adjusted at closure.

Crafted from: Copper

Made in: Zambia

About the Artisans:

F.R.E.E (Foundation for the Realization of Economic Empowerment) started as a group of young, inexperienced women, with no previous jewelry making experience and defying gender norms, who taught themselves metalsmithing using copper. Using copper recycled from used water heaters and wire, they transform it into beautiful pieces of jewelry. Their skills have continually expanded, and some women have trained in silversmithing.

F.R.E.E. Woman jewelry showcases modern Zambian skill in eye-catching wearable art such as this necklace with copper abstract leaf shapes - some with a patina and some without. It's hung on a leather cord with a clasp. Using copper recycled from used water heaters and wire, young self-taught Zambian women of F.R.E.E. (Foundation for the Realization of Economic Empowerment) are defying gender norms becoming metalsmiths for jewelry-making.

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

Dimensions: 4.5"W x 9"H (total height)

Crafted from: Copper

Made in: Zambia

About the Artisans:

F.R.E.E (Foundation for the Realization of Economic Empowerment) started as a group of young, inexperienced women, with no previous jewelry making experience and defying gender norms, who taught themselves metalsmithing using copper. Using copper recycled from used water heaters and wire, they transform it into beautiful pieces of jewelry. Their skills have continually expanded, and some women have trained in silversmithing.

Using copper recycled from used water heaters or wire, along with silver mined by small scale miners from an old silver mine in Kabwe, young self-taught Zambian women of F.R.E.E (Foundation for the Realization of Economic Empowerment) are defying gender norms becoming metalsmiths for jewelry-making. F.R.E.E. Woman jewelry showcases modern Zambian skill in eye-catching wearable art such as this copper and silver disc necklace, hung from a leather cord with a hook clasp.

Measures 2.5"W x 15"L (total length), 10" drop. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly. Matching earrings are available.

About the Artisans:

F.R.E.E (Foundation for the Realization of Economic Empowerment) started as a group of young, inexperienced women, with no previous jewelry making experience and defying gender norms, who taught themselves metalsmithing using copper. Using copper recycled from used water heaters and wire, they transform it into beautiful pieces of jewelry. Their skills have continually expanded, and some women have trained in silversmithing.

Using copper recycled from used water heaters and wire, young self-taught Zambian women of F.R.E.E (Foundation for the Realization of Economic Empowerment) are defying gender norms by becoming metalsmiths for jewelry-making. F.R.E.E. Woman jewelry showcases modern Zambian skill in eye-catching wearable art such as this copper disc necklace, hung from a leather cord with a clasp.

Measures 2.5"W x 15"L (total length), 10" drop. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly. Coordinating bracelet and earrings are available.

About the Artisans:

F.R.E.E (Foundation for the Realization of Economic Empowerment) started as a group of young, inexperienced women, with no previous jewelry making experience and defying gender norms, who taught themselves metalsmithing using copper. Using copper recycled from used water heaters and wire, they transform it into beautiful pieces of jewelry. Their skills have continually expanded, and some women have trained in silversmithing.

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.

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

Size: 2.25" inner diameter. One size fits most. Zulugrass strands are made from sustainable, natural grass beads, dyed with colorfast, low-impact dyes and interspersed with hand-blown Czech glass.