A Basket for Each Egg

Baskets of Africa being featured in March 2014's issue of HGTV Magazine

I was looking at the definition of a fetish. The one most familiar to us all, I'd say is: "a strong and unusual need or desire for something". But I couldn't help but smile when I read that another definition is: "an object that is believed to have magical powers" because my friends, I'm pretty sure magic is what I feel when I buy one of these baskets. 

As soon as I started to enjoy decorating, I noticed my love for baskets. It's a textile that can be equally beautiful as it is useful. I started collecting my favorites here and there, as they are quite easy and inexpensive to come by (another thing to love about them). So when my Aunt Lancy introduced us to the company, Baskets of Africa* I was transported to basket heaven. 

Now, you'll see many options and styles, but nothing feeds my fetish quite like their Ghana Bolga Baskets. Farmer's Market anyone? Seriously. Who doesn't love a Farmer's Market? Not only can you use them for, well, pretty much everything, but I think they're some of the most affordable on the site (especially for the size). And since they're one-of-a-kind their stock is constantly changing. Scrolling through their site has the same effect on me as does breathing in and out of a paper bag. I know it sounds like I'm trying to sell you on them, but I love them so much, these are actually things I think about daily...probably trying to justify to myself a reason to buy just one more...

Speaking of which, I actually came up with a reason to buy three of their baby-sized ones. It came when I was over on Etsy looking for some cute Easter baskets. (Since before now, my kids have been the ones running around at the Easter egg hunt with plastic grocery sacks). I almost felt a little stupid for not arriving at the conclusion sooner. I immediately forced Ryder and Penny to each side of my computer so they could pick out what "treat basket" they wanted. And a treat basket it shall be. For Halloween, for Easter, for Christmas, for Valentines...for St. Patrick's Day...I mean, I'm pretty sure every other day is a holiday that brings them home from school with some sort of treat and therefore a need for a decorative place to put those treats. Bam.

And there you have it. My name is Jasmine, and I'm addicted to Baskets...of Africa...of the Ghana Bolga variety.

*I must take a pause to talk about his company for a sec. Not that I haven't already--but just in case you love them as much as me (in which case, we should be friends)-- aside from having spectacular customer service (free shipping with every purchase and I have yet to have an order that takes longer than three days--usually less-- to arrive, even during the holidays) they are a Fair Trade company who offers African weavers sustainable wage, most of whom are women working to support themselves and their families. Each basket is also one-of-a-kind, so you're getting a unique piece of artwork with each purchase. And their affordable! (I remember eyeing similar baskets in shops in Sydney woven by Australian Aborigines and one basket the size of a breakfast bowl cost $80 AUD!) Sorry, the unpaid commercial is now over.