Our Suppliers

Artisanne [ London / Senegal ]

Artisanne was founded in London in 2014 by two English sisters, Elizabeth and Emma. Emma spent almost seven years working in Senegal, and it was while there that they developed the idea for the business.

Our baskets are skillfully handwoven in remote villages near Thiès in Senegal. We deal directly with the weavers - with no middlemen involved whatsoever. This helps ensure that the women earn a regular, fair and secure income for their products. We now work with over 75 women having started with 3. We visit the villages several times a year and have a strong relationship with the weavers.

Katundu [ Malawi ]

Katundu was founded in 2006 with the objective of empowering women through artisanal training and ethical employment. It has grown from a small company, based on the remote and idyllic Likoma Island in Malawi, to a workshop with an extremely creative and diverse product range.

We believe that jobs provide a sustainable income whilst also instilling pride, dignity and purpose, giving people the skills and knowledge to improve their own circumstances. We believe that it is our responsibility to provide fair and empowering employment. We pay fair wages, but we also relieve the pressure of everyday life for our team by offering a loan scheme, medical support, and education fees for staff children.

Mapula [ South Africa ]

Mapula Embroideries has made a difference to the lives of over 200 women and their families in The Winterveld, a rural area 70 kilometres northwest of Pretoria, South Africa. Since 1991 the income has helped the embroiderers feed and educate their children and improve their lives.

The struggles and triumphs of the women from the Winterveld have been reflected in many of their embroideries over the years …

From humble beginnings the women’s work now hangs in museums and private collections worldwide, and is sought after by tourists, conference organizers and both local and overseas buyers. Quilters from all over the world visit the project in the Winterveld regularly.

Mifuko [ Kenya ]

Mifuko was founded in 2009 by two Finnish designers. From the beginning, they were inspired to combine modern design with traditional Kenyan handcraft. Mifuko is World Fair Trade Organization certified member.

Mifuko's mission is to bring joy to our customers while improving the welfare of women in the rural areas of Kenya. We are guided by our core values in everything we do: unique, joyful and socially responsible. Just as every one of our artisans is unique so are the products he or she makes. We hope you agree that uniqueness also shows in our designs.

People Of The Sun [ Malawi ]

People of the Sun is an award winning Social Enterprise based in Malawi, one of the poorest countries on the planet. They have improved the lives of more than 600 Malawians: artisans, their families and their community members.

Malawi’s artisans have a centuries-old craft tradition using natural resources and generations of indigenous knowledge. Unfortunately these time honored cultural traditions, embedded in craftsmanship, are in danger of being lost and artisans are too often underserved as part of the informal economy.

People of the Sun is committed to reviving these techniques, through business innovation and a shift in consumer perception surrounding the value of handcraft, through Design. People of the Sun has developed a Circular Value Chain, generating social and economic opportunity for artisans at the bottom of the supply chain, while providing the market with highly desired home decor and furniture.

Sabahar [ Ethiopia ]

Sabahar is an Ethiopian company based in Addis Ababa that was founded in 2004 by Kathy Marshall, a Canadian by birth but a twenty-year veteran of Ethiopia. It produces uniquely designed, hand made cotton and silk textiles. All their products are entirely hand made in Ethiopia from natural fibers.

We have three core values that guide us:

Sustainability: We support and train artisans to apply their ancient skills to modern, fresh designs. By providing the bridge between the artisan and the global market, we provide reliable income for families.

Innovation: Weaving is an ancient craft in Ethiopia but silk was only introduced to Ethiopia about 15 years ago. We adopt traditional technologies to new fibers and products. We remain loyal to tradition while adjusting to contemporary tastes of the world market.

Caring for each other: Our products are made with care by people we care about. We create positive work opportunities in Ethiopia, with an emphasis on employment for women. We are members of the World Fair Trade Organization.

Tribal Textiles [ Zambia ]

Tribal Textiles is based in South Luangwa, Zambia. The area they are in is a remote very beautiful one - on the doorstep of wonderful South Luangwa National Park, which is known for its wild dogs, lions, and leopards. They make unique hand-painted African textiles with traditional or contemporary African designs inspired by the rich culture and wildlife of Southern Africa.

Each of our products is made by hand with respect for the environment and people. From design to production, we minimize our environmental impact by sourcing locally, using sustainable materials, and repurposing waste. We go beyond fair wages, providing artisans with the support and resources they need to thrive.

Community is at the core of everything we do. Located in a remote region of Zambia, we believe in creating a sustainable impact through grassroots development. We strive to strengthen our small, rural community by providing artisans with opportunities, creatively supporting conservation, and investing in local initiatives.

WomenCraft [ Tanzania ]

WomenCraft is a Fair Trade certified social enterprise in Ngara in the remote northeast of Tanzania. It was founded in 2007 with the aim of building cohesion between refugees and their hosting communities.

Our mission is to increase economic opportunity in the post-conflict, tri-border area of Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania by bringing rural women together, facilitating their growth and connecting their artistry to the global marketplace. Through WomenCraft, over 600 artisans advance themselves, raise stronger families, stimulate their communities and inspire the world around them.