MZIMA: Dusty Blue Stripe Woven Storage Basket
Brand new for 2021, bold MZIMA features dusty blue vertical stripes and a matching rim. Produced in three sizes, these woven baskets make brilliant indoor planters and flower pots for eclectic and colourful homes, and can be used for storing all manner of household bits and bobs: slippers and blankets, remotes and cables, knitting, soft toys – the list is endless, but for more inspo check out our basket uses page HERE.
Hand woven from sisal grass by a member of one of four rural women's weaving groups in South Western Kenya, these decorative storage baskets come in three sizes - perfect as planters, desk tidies and flower pots as well as storage baskets for toys, jewellery, slippers and bathroom products.
Led by chairlady Mbeti, the ladies in this group of cooperatives are extremely skilled at weaving repeat patterns, using their tape measures to produce set sizes. They get together weekly to agree work, deliver completed basket orders and collect wages. Sisal grass is purchased ready-rolled when these groups receive basket orders and a deposit sum from us, and these fibres are hand-dyed outdoors in large vats of boiling water by the weavers.
These weavers are mainly farmers, so the majority of basket weaving takes place during the dry seasons when agricultural work quite literally dries up. To purchase one of our woven baskets is to become a part of our story: a journey of sustainability and empowerment, supporting women to support their families with flexible, fairly paid work. Each basket comes with a thank you card from the cooperative who made your basket. You can meet the weavers HERE.
Material: SISAL & BRANDED LEATHER TAB
Dimensions (approx):
If you need a specific size please let us know prior to placing your order.
Please note, as this is a handmade product, dimensions & colour may vary from those shown in the photographs.
HANDMADE IN KENYA
Our journey into sustainable style began in Kenya, and the lion’s share of our woven baskets are Kenyan-made. Whilst every region of Kenya boasts its own rich natural bounty, each cooperative we partner with offers expertise in its own unique form of basketry. Weaving, dyeing and grass-rolling techniques differ across the regions as much as basket shapes, patterns and structures. These precious crafts are woven through the generations within families - passed along continuous thread from mother to daughter - protecting and preserving an art form as old as man.
Vast and colourful, vibrant and bursting with natural beauty and style, our fair trade baskets are as eclectic as their homeland and its people. From sisal grass to doum palm, banana leaf fibres to palm leaf, each weaving cooperative works with what is locally available and only what can be sustainably sourced, to produce beautiful baskets which are 100% Kenyan made, and ethically produced. All cow hide bag tags, straps, and basket labels are made from leather sourced as a by-product of the food industry. Natural dyes come from pounded roots, bark and vegetables of the region, whilst all synthetic dyes are sustainably sourced.
From the Kamba tribe to the camel-herding Ariaal pastoralists of Northern Kenya, you can read more about the lives of the Kenyan weavers we work with - and the wonderful baskets they produce - below.
Meet The Artisans
Who Made Your Basket?
United KingdomBaskets for bathroom storage
We have recently moved and have little storage. These baskets are perfect for storing bath, beach and dog towels, and they look beautiful
The Basket Room
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review! We agree, the baskets are useful for all sorts of storage around the home! Enjoy!
United Kingdommzima
Always terrific. Efficient and helpful. Can't fault the products or the service.
The Basket Room
Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review and your continued support. Hope to see you again soon!
United KingdomDusky blue basket
Very good service, it came very quickly and is actually very well made and attractive to look at. Thank you
The Basket Room
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We hope you enjoy your new basket!
