WOLOF WEAVERS OF RURAL SENEGAL
This coil style of basket weaving has been practiced in Senegal for generations. Traditionally, Wolof women created baskets by binding stalks of cattail grass, a thick local grass, with long strips of reed. Though reed strips could be harvested locally, they were very hard on the hands of the weavers. About 20 years ago, an idea revolutionized Wolof basket weaving. A factory in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, creates mats using plastic strips that strongly resemble the reed strips. Using the plastic strips to replace the sharp natural material, conditions for the weavers drastically improved and the baskets began to burst into vibrant colors.
Since 2008, Swahili has worked with a group of talented Wolof weavers in remote Senegal to design hampers and baskets woven from the salvaged plastic strips and cattail stalks. First introduced by the Peace Corps, Swahili and more than 120 Wolof women prove that cooperative, home-based craft export is an excellent way for rural women to earn fair trade incomes that build healthy communities.
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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 (see additional photos as examples). 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.
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. Zulugrass is as creative as the individual who wears it!
$196.00
This useful set of large, open floor baskets is woven in Ghana from tough elephant grass. Each basket includes a set of woven handles for easy transport, nesting together when not in use.
The baskets are tightly woven and can stand up to years of use while still remaining beautiful. Can be rinsed and reshaped with cool water as needed.
Approximate sizes: Medium - 20" wide x 9" tall; Large - 22" wide x 10" tall. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, size and shape may vary slightly. Read our Statement on Handmade Variation to learn more.
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This one-of-a-kind shield features hand-carved geometric lines. Carved from a single piece of wood, this piece is beautiful mounted on a wall or displayed using a stand.
Only one available. Shield measures approximately 20-21" diameter and 2.5" deep.
About the Artisans:
Hand-carved shields from Cameroon are artfully crafted from single pieces of wood. Featuring a variety of intricate designs and patterns, these shields are truly unique pieces.
$38.00
This graceful sculpture, depicting a woman lost in thought, is cast in Burkina Faso using the lost wax method, which uses hand-formed wax to create shapes. Each sculpture is completely one-of-a-kind, so color and shape may vary slightly.
Measures 3.75"L x 2.5"W x 4"T. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, slight variation may occur.
$11.99
The Pumpkin Spice you have been waiting for! Made with actual pumpkin pieces, this tea blend is delicious on its own, or when steeped into a creamy latte (simple steeping instructions below!). Only while supplies last... enjoy a cup of this velvety smooth, subtly spiced, hug-in-a-mug pumpkin blend!
Pumpkin Spice loose leaf tea is sold in a recyclable 120g refill pouch.
Steeping Instructions: Add 1 teaspoon of tea to a cup of boiling water (205°F). Let steep for 3-5 minutes before removing the tea. For a second cup, resteep the tea for 10 minutes. Make a delicious Pumpkin Spice latte at home: Steep 2 tsp in 1/4 cup of boiling water for 5 minutes. Steam your desired 'milk' and pour 3/4 cup into your tea. Add any sweetener if you desire
Dimensions: 120g refill pouch, 25 mg of caffeine per cup. Makes about 40 cups; steep twice for 80 cups.
Crafted from: Pumpkin Pieces, Kenyan Black Tea, Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Turmeric, Orange Peel, Licorice Root, Clove, Natural Cinnamon Flavour
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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.
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Kenyan artisans hand carve these simply sweet bunny rabbits from soft soapstone, dyed with an earthy brown finish and etched details. A matching set of baby rabbits is also available.
Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.
Dimensions: 4"L x 2.25"W x 2.75"H
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.
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This beautiful handcrafted purse features a bold panel of mudcloth against a soft leather body with durable leather handles. Lined with lightweight cotton, this stylish handbag includes an exterior zippered pocket and two inner pockets–one with a zipper and one with an open top.
Sold singly. Designs will vary.
Dimensions: 14"L x 0.5"W x 16"T (to top of bag), 10" handle drop
Crafted from: Woven cotton, leather, hardware
Made in: Mali
About the Artisans:
Each purse is carefully crafted by textile and leather artisans in Bamako, Mali, who shine at incorporating contemporary mudcloth into their designs.
$68.00
These radiant sculptures are cast from solid bronze in Burkina Faso using the lost wax method. Dress details are painted by hand.
A beautiful gift for mothers and grandmothers, each sculpture is a one-of-a-kind work of art.
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Dimensions: 7" T x 3.5"L x 1.6"W
Crafted from: Bronze
Made in: Burkina Faso
$56.00
This shawl, exquisitely handwoven with Ethiopian cotton and silk, features a smoky gray border and hand-knotted fringe.
Natural materials such as leaves, flowers, and coffee, along with textile dyes are used to produce gorgeous colors.
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About the Artisans:
Sabahar is an Ethiopian company that produces uniquely designed, hand made cotton and silk textiles that are entirely handcrafted from natural fibers grown and processed in Ethiopia.
Kathy Marshall, a Canadian by birth who has lived in Ethiopia over 20 years, founded Sabahar in 2004. Her passion for preserving and celebrating the rich weaving tradition of Ethiopia, combined with her desire to create respectful and ethical work opportunities for marginalized people have laid the foundation for the company.
$64.00
These large, soft pillows from Le Ndomo in Mali feature handmade cotton mudcloth and include a pillow insert. Intricate line designs in an expanding square pattern are hand-dyed.
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.
Care: (Remove pillow insert) Machine wash cold, gentle cycle, when needed, line dry, iron on cotton setting.
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.
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Kenyan artisans transform cow bone into eye-catching earrings shaped like hair picks. The distressed gray dye is echoed in a rounded disc and teardrop bead, divided by flat black plastic discs.
Sold singly. Because these are handmade goods, each pair of earrings may vary slightly.
Dimensions: 0.75"W x 4"H
Crafted from: Cow bone, dye, earring wires
Made in: Kenya
About the Artisans:
Talented Kenyan artisans take advantage of the natural and recycled materials available to them, including cow bone, to craft amazing jewelry. Bone is sanitized and carved into gorgeous shapes.