Colorblock Sisal Basket - White
Made in Kenya
by artisans using locally sourced grasses
$ 14.00 - $ 72.00
Make this versatile hand-woven basket a storage staple in your home décor. Mix and match various sizes, colors, and patterns to curate a personalized collection. Use them for everything from a planter to organzing kitchen tools to office organization. Each purchase empowers artisans at Kasigau in Kenya.
Sisal Basket - White | Fair Trade | The Little Market
As with all handmade items, no two pieces are the same. Variations in size, color, and design will occur.
Details
- 5" x 5" approximately: 5" width x 5" height
- 8" x 8" approximately: 8" width x 8" height
- 11" x 11" approximately: 11" width x 11" height
- 14" x 14" approximately: 14" width x 14" height
- Materials: Sisal and dyes
- Care instructions: Spot clean using minimal water. Dab (do not rub) using an undyed paper towel or cloth to prevent the colors from bleeding. Dry completely to avoid molding. To preserve the natural colors and stop fading, do not place in direct sunlight.
- As with all handmade items, slight variations can occur
Kasigau Basket Weavers
Female artisans at Kasigau Basket Weavers, a social enterprise in Kenya, handcraft beautiful, natural baskets. The female artisans, who are between the ages of 25 and 90, are able to come together and collaborate in units, which leads to increased integration into the community and opportunities for them to creatively exchange ideas and advice to support one another. The income the artisans earn by creating these baskets supports their household earnings, which are usually generated from agriculture and farming. The female artisans have the opportunity to feel empowered, use their voices, and participate in essential decision-making processes at home and in the community at-large. We are proud to work on an exclusive line of vibrant sisal baskets with these artisans and to help generate additional income for them and their families.
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THE TECHNIQUE
In Kenya, inspiring female artisans at Kasigau Basket Weavers use sisal leaves to handcraft each woven basket. Kenya is the world’s third-largest producer of the sisal crop, which is originally from Mexico. While several artisans may grow sisal on their farms, many also supplement harvests with locally purchased sisal, as the local elephant population relies on the crop for food. To make each basket, the artisans follow an intricate cultural technique that is passed down from women to women. Artisans carefully cut and collect the sisal leaves, drain the liquid from the leaves, extract and weave the fibers, and dye the strands with natural dyes for vibrant colors. After the dyed strands have time to dry, they are woven into the basket’s frame and body. The baskets are customized according to the design.
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Kenya
Kenya has a population of more than 35 million people comprising of 42 ethnic groups, each with its own language and culture, as well as Asian, Arab and European Communities, which makes for a fascinating mix of traditions and cultures. Kenya’s multifaceted culture is expressed in different forms, from its people and language, food, music and dance, art, artifacts, theatre and literature to its ethnic values and ethical norms.
Kenya is among the world’s 30 poorest countries, ranking 145 out of 185 countries on the 2012 Human Development Index, and more than one-half of the country’s population lives below the poverty line on less than US $1 a day. Years of drought in this region have had a serious impact on the well-being of children, increasing malnutrition rates, morbidity and mortality.
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Fair Trade Products
Fair Trade is an approach to international trade centered around equitable partnerships, transparency and respect. It seeks to empower marginalized producers by providing them safe working conditions, fair pay, and a means to establish a sustainable business free from exploitation. As a member of the Fair Trade Federation, we are committed to the Fair Trade principles.
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