Soapstone   |   Handbags   |   Beaded Items  

These fun, functional handbags combine two traditional Kenyan skills: weaving and beading. The artisan group that makes these colorful bags employs women who live in Kibera, a "slum-city" of nearly one million people located just outside Nairobi. The income earned from making these products allows women to support their families without having to turn to the often bleak and dangerous alternatives of slum life.

All the bags are hand-woven from sisal and then are embellished with Czech glass beads and/or locally found items such as cinnamon seeds. For additional styles and colors please click either of the buy now buttons to be transferred to our partner site.

These bags are on a special sale!

Bags can take more than a week to weave and additional time to bead. Sizes range from 10" opening and 11-12" height for larger purses, to 5-8" opening for round and flat carry bags.