| Woven by hand with needle and thread, using | | | | natural colors from vegetables or fruits. African |
| natural materials indigenous to the area, the craft | | | | baskets reflect the highest quality of skilled |
| of basket weaving provides rural African women | | | | craftsmanship, as each basket is woven by hand, |
| with jobs and the income necessary to support | | | | often with needle and thread. Some baskets can |
| themselves and their children. | | | | take over one month to complete. |
| Fair Wages for Gifted Generations | | | | African Baskets - Designs & Uses |
| African women have a rich heritage of basket | | | | Sizes and shapes of baskets vary between large |
| weaving that has been passed down through the | | | | and small, shallow or deep, and can include open |
| generations. Handmade baskets produced | | | | or lidded designs. You can find a wide variety of |
| according to fair trade standards benefit women | | | | colors and patterns ranging from the traditional |
| and families in rural regions of Africa who are | | | | and symbolic to more modern and contemporary |
| coping with severe economic uncertainty. | | | | designs. With the variety of designs available, |
| Throughout history, baskets have been used for | | | | African baskets can make attractive decorative |
| storage or the transportation of goods. In modern | | | | baskets, serving baskets, or hanging wall baskets. |
| times, African baskets have become appreciated | | | | For functional use, you can use shallow coil |
| for decorative use in addition to functional | | | | baskets as serving baskets, or you can organize |
| purposes. Fair trade practices and payment allow | | | | mail, newspapers, and car keys that often clutter |
| the women to maintain their heritage and craft | | | | kitchen counters, tables, and desktops. Many |
| through basket weaving, while earning a fair wage | | | | African serving baskets are also designed with a |
| and the income necessary to provide the basics, | | | | loop for hanging and can be used to create unique |
| such as food, health care and education for their | | | | arrangements for wall display. And, you can |
| families. | | | | always create an eco-friendly centerpiece by |
| Natural & Organic - Eco-friendly Baskets | | | | using a serving basket made from organic |
| African baskets are typically woven of organic | | | | materials and dyes by simply adding natural fruits |
| materials, such as grasses or leaves indigenous to | | | | and vegetables. |
| the area of the weavers, and are dyed using the | | | | |