WE DESIGN --- Apart from some traditional tribal baskets, we design all of our products in-house and then have them manufactured by our world-wide network of artisans. They use only top quality, mostly natural, materials and their fantastic skills, to create our unusual and stylish collection.The lack of the usual long chain of middle-men means that while offering to you, our valued customers, the most reasonable prices possible, we are still able to reward our artisans well and improve their lifestyle.
NOTRE RAISON D'ETRE ---- We hope and believe that if we can trade with, and thereby create good will, among our friends world-wide this may lead to a happier and more peaceful world environment for our children to live in.
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The baskets that you will see in this category are often seen in market places in France, but this is mainly because France, like Great Britain, had colonies in Sub-Saharan Africa in the past, and these baskets were, and still are, made in Africa. The artisans who make them learn the skill as part of their cultural heritage and are skilled indeed. The French love the quality and usefulness of these colourful baskets, and still make much use of them. Ideal for shopping at food markets, for storage of vegetables/fruit with air able to circulate, for magazines and newspapers, for logs, for towels in the bathroom, for shoes, they have many uses and look so wonderful in a traditional or contemporary setting. They are made from savannah straw, semi-stiff, and are very tough indeed with leather bound handles. They are round in shape and are used by African ladies to carry food home from market usually balanced very skillfully on their heads (this is not mandatory for our clients but it is fun to try). We have these baskets made in a variety of sizes on occasion, but the standard size (and perhaps the most useful size) is 40 cm diameter - nominally. The colour schemes are random and it is true to say that most colour / pattern combinations are unique. The size and shape varies a little. They are washable, and also if they become mis-shapen then you can simply re-mould them into round symmetrical shape by hand after thoroughly wetting---and then allow them to dry naturally. When dry they will retain the shape into which you have moulded them (Tip: if you want to try head-carrying, mould a small head-shaped dimple into the base). These baskets last a very long time, and the dyes are colour-fast but in sunlight over years the colours fade a little and they age gracefully. ---------------SCROLL DOWN AND------------------------NOW CLICK ON THE PICTURE------------------->>>>>>>>
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