SAFI: Natural Storage Baskets
The weavers who produce these natural undyed storage baskets use them in their own homes for keeping meal staples such as maize, potatoes and onions in, and they’re also used for carrying gifts to weddings. These ethical baskets also make beautiful woven planters and can be put to use all over the home for keeping toiletries, cooking utensils and even baby supplies tidy.
This SAFI basket was woven by a skilled craftswoman working as part of a network of village cooperatives in Tanzania. As is the case with most basket weavers in Africa, the art of weaving has usually been passed down the family line, though these Tanzanian weavers are also regularly trained in product development and new weaving techniques.
The versatile milulu grasses used to produce these woven storage baskets can be found locally in swamps and riverbeds, but they’re also grown specifically for basket weaving by some cooperatives. The income that weavers earn from selling their woven baskets helps with families’ school fees and medical bills as well as home improvements and acquisition of livestock and poultry – since most weavers are farmers first and foremost. During the dry seasons, weaving takes precedence and helps stem the gap in earnings that many families suffer.
Basket sales are organised by cooperative committee members and profits are reinvested for the benefit of the weavers’ communities and to enhance the basket weaving business model. Communities have purchased amenities like solar lighting, kerosene lamps, land, warehouses and raw materials for producing further baskets with the profits accrued through basket sales.
Material: MILULU GRASS
Dimensions (approx):
S: 21-25cm D | 18-22cm H
M: 30-34cm D | 24-28cm H
L: 35-38cm D | 30-34cm H
Please note, as this is a handmade product, dimensions & colour may vary from those shown in the photographs.
HANDMADE IN TANZANIA
Our Tanzanian woven baskets make use of the country’s versatile milulu grass and celebrate the extraordinary weaving skills found amongst the people working within its network of village cooperatives. These fair trade baskets represent true sustainable style and ethical production.
These weavers – and all the weavers we partner with - are paid a fair and pre-agreed price for each basket they produce for us. The individual, depending on their skillsets and their availability for work, can choose their own volumes of work. Being able to work from home means that weavers – mainly women - can fit weaving in with their existing jobs and chores, and no income is lost travelling to sell at markets where haggling can reduce earnings considerably. Working as part of a weaving cooperative means that the business comes to them, and regular training is given so that the group can keep abreast of market trends, and stay competitive.
These woven baskets are familiar utility items in Tanzanian homes, woven to hold foodstuffs primarily. They find their place all over the modern home, bringing bags of ethical style and natural beauty to the kitchen or bathroom, living room, the utility room and the playroom.
Shop the Natural Collection here
Delivery Info
LAST POSTING DATES 2023
Please note our last dispatch day will be Thursday 21st December.
We will be closed from Friday 22nd December until Wednesday 3rd January 2024. Any orders placed after 2pm on Thursday 21st December and before 11am on Thursday 28th December, will be dispatched on Thursday 28th December. Orders placed after 11am on Thursday 28th December will be dispatched Wednesday 3rd January 2024.
For Christmas Deliveries, please note the order cut off dates below.
UK
DPD Standard - Please order by 2pm on Wednesday 20th December
DPD Express Next Day - Please order by 2pm on Thursday 21st December
DPD Express Next Day by 12pm - Please order by 2pm on Thursday 21st December
DPD Saturday Delivery - Please order by 2pm on Thursday 21st December
Royal Mail Tracked 48 - Please order by 2pm on Monday 18th December
Royal Mail Tracked 24 - Please order by 2pm on Tuesday 19th December
EUROPE
| COUNTRY | ORDER BY |
| AUSTRIA | 15th December |
| BELGIUM | 18th December |
| CROATIA | 14th December |
| DENMARK | 18th December |
| FINLAND | 13th December |
| FRANCE | 18th December |
| GERMANY | 15th December |
| ITALY | 14th December |
| LUXEMBOURG | 19th December |
| NETHERLANDS | 19th December |
| NORWAY | 12th December |
| ROI | 20th December |
| SPAIN | 15th December |
| SWEDEN | 18th December |
| SWITZERLAND | 18th December |
USA, AUSTRALIA & CANADA
Please place your orders by the 12th December
EUROPEAN CUSTOMERS
For parcels to European destinations please allow 5 days for delivery.
We are pleased to announce that from 22nd July 2021 we will be sending all European customer orders delivered duty paid (DDP). This means most EU based customers will no longer have to pay any additional import duty or taxes before receiving their orders.
Due to in country export changes the following countries will be subject to additional charges to receive their order. We will also require a personal tax number for dispatch:
Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Italy, Spain
UK DELIVERY
We aim to dispatch all orders within 1 working day*, once your payment has been confirmed.
For orders £20 and under:
- Royal Mail Tracked 48 at £ 2.95
- Royal Mail Tracked 24 at £ 3.45
- DPD Standard (1-2 working days) at £ 4.95
- DPD Express Next Day (order by 2pm) at £6.95
- DPD Express Next Day by 12pm (order by 2pm) at £12.95
- DPD Saturday Delivery (order by 2pm on the Friday) at £10.95
For orders £20.01 and over
- DPD Standard (1-2 working days) at £ 4.95
- DPD Express Next Day (order by 2pm) at £6.95
- DPD Express Next Day by 12pm (order by 2pm) at £12.95
- DPD Saturday Delivery (order by 2pm on the Friday) at £10.95
FREE Delivery for orders £50 and over
- DPD Standard (1-2 working days) FREE
Free Click and Collect:
- Available from our Oxfordshire based office (address below) select pickup option at checkout. Pick up available during office hours of Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, you will be notified by email once your order is ready for collection.
9 Worcester Rd Ind. Estate
Chipping Norton
OX7 5XW
Tel: 01608 239482
INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY
We deliver worldwide, postage prices are based on the total weight of your order, calculated at the checkout. Most services are sent Tracked & Signed unless otherwise stated.
Please note, most countries will charge import duty on goods over a certain value, it is the buyer's responsibility to pay any charges that occur on importation at destination.
If you cannot see your country listed, please contact sales@thebasketroom.com to provide you with a shipping quote.
WHAT IF IT DOESN'T ARRIVE
It is very rare that items will get lost in the post. If there is no sign of your basket after 10 days, the plan of action is:
- Check the shipping address on your order confirmation.
- Check with your neighbours – sometimes the courier will leave parcels with your close neighbours.
- If no luck, please contact us and we will try to help solve the problem
COLLECTION FROM AN EVENT
Collection of your baskets direct from a fair or event that we're exhibiting may be possible. Please phone Holly on 01608 239482 to arrange it with 48 hrs advance notice. In this case, postage costs will be refunded.
CANCELLATION OF ORDER
You have the right to cancel your order, however if the order has already been processed and shipped by The Basket Room, you will need to follow the standard returns procedure. Please let us know as soon as possible.
HANDWOVEN BASKET DISCLAIMER
All of our baskets are exquisitely handmade in remote rural corners of Africa using natural materials, one piece at a time, with no two baskets the same. Although every effort is made to create only the best product, there may be natural blemishes or bumps and curves in places, as well as patches of dirt that can be sometimes noticed on the recycled wool sisal mix baskets. These should not be misconstrued as flaws, but are what make each basket a handmade product, charming and unique.
In addition to this, as each basket is individually hand woven some variation in size and colour may occur. If you need a specific size please let us know prior to placing your order. By purchasing this product online, you agree with these disclaimers.
STORING YOUR BASKET
If your basket gets wet, simply leave it to dry naturally and re-shape. When not in use, we recommend storing somewhere completely dry and warm (and damp proof!)
As dyes are natural, colours may fade over time if basket is in direct sunlight.
Please be aware as the baskets are made of grass any areas in the home where there may be moisture in the air could cause your basket to grow mould.
When using our baskets as planters or to cover plastic pots, please ensure a plastic dish is used in the bottom to catch any excess water as the sisal may rot and dyes may run.
RETURNS
If you decide you don’t like your basket we will be happy to accept returns, and refund you for the item as long as it is returned to us within 21 days of purchase. Returned products must be in the same condition as was received, complete with original swing tags and labels attached. Where possible, please include a note or brief reason for return. Unfortunately we can’t refund the cost of shipping and we do require you to pay for the postage of your returned items. Used or customer damaged items cannot be refunded or exchanged. We advise you to send this as recorded post, or keep a copy of proof of postage in the event that the package goes missing.
If your basket arrives with you damaged from the post on it's way out to you, and you would like to return it, we will of course be happy to reimburse for the item and the cost of shipping as long as you let us know about the damaged basket within 1 week of receiving your item/s.
All returns should be sent to:
9 Worcester Road Industrial Estate
Chipping Norton
OX7 5XW
Tel: 01608 239482
United KingdomGorgeous Basket
This would either make a very posh wastepaper basket or a statement plant holder with a large fern or palour palm in the middle of the table. It's so well made with tiny imperfections that give it character and it looks gorgeous. Not only that but it smells like a fresh wheat field! I hope my family will like it for Christmas!
United KingdomSafi natural storage basket
I bought 2 of these and they look beautiful in my hallway while storing our winter hats and gloves. Excellent service.
The Basket Room
Thank you for your review and shopping at The Basket Room! We'd love to see your new baskets in situ!
