recycled baskets Ayindisa

Today I want to share a great resource for unique gifts, fabrics and decorative accessories – Ayindisa.

This little gem tucked away in the town of Ridgefield, Connecticut, Ayindisa is a fair trade principled business supporting artisans worldwide. Ayindisa sells their products and assists artisans in obtaining loans and education through various partnerships and business affiliates, providing them with the ability to improve the quality of their living and working environments.

Ayindisa Basket Group (3)

When I first found Ayindisa and met its founder and owner Christopher Gay, I was deeply moved by his passion for empowering communities and individuals in the poorest parts of Africa. You can read Christopher’s inspiring story here. Above you can see Chris with Ayindisa’s basket weaving co-operative in Ghana, West Africa.

I stop at Ayindisa every time I need unique hand painted fabrics that I use to create large scale wall hangings and framed art, but today I want to show you these great recycled baskets – perfect for spring organizing and decorating.

These pretty baskets are made from leftover and recycled fabric scraps from previous artisan projects and from plastic water sachets littered on the streets in Africa (they also use a cruelty-free leather).

Ayindisa basket weavers collect and disinfect plastic and reduce trash on street and in their community and then weave them together with a small amount of natural grass.

ayindisa-U-shapeRecycled-06 (3)

ayindisa u shape baskets

ayindisa Round basket

These baskets are colorful, unique, eco-friendly and so practical!!!

You can find more information about Ayindisa and various artisan communities that make Ayindisa products here: http://ayindisa.com/