I read about this collective on Kim Gray’s blog the other day, and thought I should tell you about it. It’s a small group of independent fabric designers and producers, all based in Cape Town, who’ve decided to get together every now and then discuss experiences and share contacts, etc. Such a great idea.
I’ve spoken about most of the designers before, but not all. Lula Fabrics, Fabricnation and Lorenzo Nassimbeni are three that I haven’t blogged about before, but who definitely deserve a mention for their beautiful and original works of art. Skinny Laminx, Twine, Shine Shine and Jesse Breytenbach have all been mentioned here more than once – you know that I adore their work.
I’ve put together a little collection of fabrics from a few them that I’d use if I could decorate a room…
Twine Scallop
Lula Suzani
Lula Jaipur Paisley
Skinny Specimens
Jesse Flowers
Aren’t they a talented bunch? Now if only I could decorate that room…
I’ve received their CD with all the images and am madly uploading the info for Papercake’s products. Some of them are really big and so I’m trying to decide whether postage will be worth it – mostly in terms of safety and fragility. I think posting them within SA will be fine, but not sure about internationally. These large pieces are incredibly beautiful though and so thought I’d show some to you.
While away this weekend, I was flipping through the December issue of UK’s House & Garden, and came across two chairs which I can’t stop thinking about. Turns out that they’re both designed by the same team known as Bokja. ReubenMiller says, “They’re a Beirut-based design company, founded by Hoda Baroudi and Maria Hibri, with the goal to mix the handicraft of local skilled artisans with the sleek lines of modernist furniture”.
Just take a look a these absolutely exquisite Bokja pieces below…
Don’t know if I’ve ever been so in love with any furniture before. This can only make me wonder whether there are any designers out there making contemporary furniture using bold ethnic African handicraft. And if there is not, why not?
Today’s post is not about another socially aware shop, but it is about one which focuses on handmade and retro things. It’s got my heart already. I’ve seen both the Beatnik Bazaar shop and blog mentioned quite a few times, but for some strange reason have never checked it out. Now I feel like I’ve been missing out all along…
The blog is filled with links to fantastic other blogs, great photo’s and even better finds. It has sent me down a rabbit hole of other creative blogs, which I promise to tell you about soon. For some reason I’d thought the physical shop was in Standford and was hoping to see it this weekend (I’m going to Hermanus) but alas, it turns out it’s in de Waterkant, Cape Town. Not to worry, I’ll be there in late February, so will be sure to show you some pics then.
In the meantime, take a look at some of the gorgeous products that Beatnik Bazaar has on offer. I’ve got my eye on far too many of them already :)
I must say, it’s great to see how many fair trade and socially aware stores are actually out there. And they all seem to offer completely different products from each other. It’s impressive. I found another UK-based one, called First Buddies, which sells Sri Lankan toys and gifts for kiddies of all ages.
Here’s another online shop which sells handmade fair trade products. Like, Ten Thousand Villages, it is based in the UK but sources products from third world countries all around the world – even from South Africa. They’ve got lots of beautiful things on offer. Take a look.
Not sure how many of you have heard of this organisation, but I thought I’d tell you about them purely because I really like their ideals. They’re a group who’s researching different ways that us humans can live on this earth without creating as much damage as we have created in the past. Their focus is on re-designing our culture, so that humans co-exist harmoniously with nature and technology.
I think it especially appeals to me because of this concept of finding common ground between these three aspects. In so much of what we’ve been doing, technology seems to have worked against nature and with humans. Other humans focus so much on nature that they forget the benefits that technology can have – if it’s used properly.
Some of the concepts and ideas seem really space-agey at first glance, but it’s their purpose that’s important, and that really gives me a sense of hope for our future. Take a look around their site, and let me know what you think. I’m interested.
Here’s an online shop which supports “ten thousand” villages around the globe. They’re based in the USA and have a huge selection of handmade Fair Trade products. I’ve chosen some wall hangings that caught my eye, but will show you some of their other things another time. Don’t want to overload you.
I wouldn’t quite say that these are high fashion items, but they’re beautiful in their own way, and positioned in the right place, I think they would be really appealing. The amount of time and skill which has gone into each piece has to be admired!
I’ve decided that I’m going to do a series of posts about other online shops which sell ethical products, well, products which are uplifting poor communities around the world. There is so much good happening all over, and so much creativity mixed with this doing-good, that I thought it’d be worth keeping track of it all. Plus, it’s always a bonus to stay in touch with worldwide trends and to compare SA products to international.
So, the first site I’m sharing with you is that of Ganesha. They’re a UK-based store but sell Fair Trade products made in India. Aren’t they just beautiful?
Here’s a a project that’s making some beautiful, bright African products for a good cause – creating employment for 10 previously unemployed people in the Jeffereys Bay area.They’re a very new project, and are still getting their catalogue together, but I’m really looking forward to being able to include some of their products in our range.
I particularly like the recycled handbags. Especially the style of the one on the left. Let’s hope we can get Hearts for Africa on board soon :)
