By Julia Richards | Photographed by Sunny Frantz
These handmade woven baskets add color to any space, and what’s even more beautiful is the story behind them. They’re crocheted by women in Kenya working to support their own daughters’ education. The yarn is donated by the nonprofit organization Merry-Go-Strong, founded by UW-Madison professor Lesley Sager. The organization returns twice a year to purchase the baskets from the women, who have become more respected in their communities because of this new income. Each basket is unique and takes about a month to make. Their beauty, however, is timeless.
Baskets are 8-10 inches high and 10-12 inches wide and sell for $40-$60. Find them locally at Convivio, Ubuntu Trade and the Chazen Museum Store. Sager also offers trunk shows and sells the baskets directly. Email her directly here.
