The colours piqued my interest, then the story drew me in.
I have been following Big Blue Mama on Instagram for a while – her story is so compelling. And the baskets? Perfection.
I enjoyed seeing photos and videos of baskets being woven in Ghana, of Karie Wylie(the woman behind the idea) loading up a pick-up truck to bring baskets to markets in Ontario and Quebec, and of her unloading a container of bales of baskets in the freezing rain. To me, the weavers and Karie are the epitome of what it means to be an entrepreneur.
The idea of Big Blue Moma began in 2012, when Karie travelled to Ghana where her partner, Dominique, was volunteering for six months. Karie, a graduate of the textiles department at Alberta College of Art + Design, said she immediately fell in love with the beauty of Ghana’s handicrafts. She was inspired to create a simple import business that would allow her to share her passion for what she had discovered, and help the people she had met there. Since then, Karie has returned frequently to Ghana, and she continues to introduce the originality of Ghanian baskets at shows and in small shops across Canada.
Wylie describes Big Blue Moma as a “conscious and thoughtful company.” The company pays fair market prices directly to the artists so they receive the maximum benefit. She alsotakes great pride in offering exceptionally beautiful and functional products.
“As an artist, I take great joy in making something that puts a smile on someone’s face,” she writes.
“It fills me with pride to share our love of Ghana and my passion for making things through our little company.”
That’s why I’m so excited to be able to offer Big Blue Moma baskets and totes! Ask any maker – we love to create something that puts a smile on a friend’s or loved-one’s face. We also love sharing our passion for making things. It’s such a great fit.
And the baskets are so functional. The Sophia basket can easily be used as a project bag, a market tote, or a beach carry-all. I can see using the Bolga basket as storage for a hand-knit blanket or quilt, tucked beside a cosy armchair. The large oval baskets can be used in the same way – the traditional palette will bring a splash of colour into the space. The small U-Shoppers are ideal for just that — shopping (at a yarn store perhaps?). And the simplicity of the small baskets make them perfect for stashing yarn, tools, and notions.
Th
e baskets are woven in traditional and natural palettes. The more common colour palette of Bolga baskets is considered “traditional.” These baskets are bright, bold, and beautiful. The “Natural Palette” refers to baskets woven with earth tones, and blacks and blues.
The baskets are now available online, and local delivery is always free. We’ll also be featuring them next weekend at Blenheim’s CherryFest. We’ll be set up at 18 Chatham St. South on Friday, July 18 from 4 to 8 PM, and Saturday, July 19 from 9 AM to 2 PM.