Significant Others is a carefully edited online retail shop offering beautifully crafted artworks and objects. Brought to you by designer Suzy Tuxen of A Friend Of Mine and craftsman Ryan Ward of United Measures. The products have a focus on hand crafted techniques rather than mass production, making each piece a labour of love. Images & text courtesy of Significant Others
i received a lovely email from maxine telling me about the bootstrap project – an organization she founded after travelling through swaziland in the summer of 2009, where she was inspired by artisan thembekile tsabedre’s hand crafted wooden platters (which are now sold out on their website.)
the bootstrap project’s mission is to create a sustainable platform to promote and retain centuries-old crafts and customs. we create the outlet for the local artisans. the proceeds of the sales go back to the artists and their communities, through our development partners, to empower them by providing the education and opportunity to retain, preserve and advance their fast-dying crafts, customs and way of life. by purchasing through bootstrap you allow artisans—who act as the catalyst for their whole communities—to end their own poverty. it’s trade not aid.
ps: if you’ve sent me an email recently please be patient, i’m currently playing a game of catch with my inbox
you know, i’ve never been a crochet kind of gal, and i’m not into collecting things like stones or shells – stuff i usually associate with south african holiday homes or your gran’s house. so naturally margaret oomen‘s beautiful crochet bound pebbles and stones took me by surprise. she says, “one of my favorite quotes is frank lloyd wright : study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. it will never fail you”
whilst perusing some back issues of frankie, i spotted these feltidermy pieces by girl savage. they made me smile.
