Decorative bird wood hand carved

Mifuko is Swahili for bag - because bags and baskets were the start of the Finnish designer duo Minna Impiö and Mari Martikainen's collaboration with Kenyan women. Since then, Mifuko's range has grown considerably, but the focus is still on products that are handmade from natural and sustainable materials from the region.

A regionally available material is also used for these "colorful birds": the wood of the jacaranda tree (Jacaranda mimosifolia). In order for the trees to continue to live, grow and flourish unharmed, only fallen or already broken branches and twigs are collected to work the birds from. Hand-carved, smoothly sanded and painted, unique small objects are created: close to nature, at the same time with a touch of artistic freedom designed journeymen, which enrich your decorative arrangements with colorful dots - in the Christmas tree as well as a key ring, on the door wreath as well as a gift ornament.

Who has carved and painted your decorative bird, by the way, you can see on the attached sign, there sign the women with their name.

The designs of the Finnish label Mifuko are not only characterized by Kenyan tradition and craftsmanship, but the products are also manufactured in Kenya. The cooperation with Kenyan craftswomen came into being in 2009 as a result of the two Mifuko designers' long-standing ties with Kenya. In the meantime, Mifuko works with about 400 women, not only more in Kenya, but also in Tanzania, Ethiopia and Ghana. They live mainly in rural areas and work there primarily in agriculture. In the dry season they weave carpets, weave baskets or bags, make jewelry and many other decorative items. Fair payment and long-term business relationships are the main focus, as well as the design of the products taking into account the skills and traditional manufacturing techniques. The women are given the opportunity to expand their knowledge and pass it on to younger women. They can build up their own network and are finally in a position to earn something extra for their livelihood, because first and foremost the women and their families work in agriculture. Only when their own fields are cultivated and the animals are taken care of do they manufacture for Mifuko, thus generating additional income that often saves them through the drought.

Minna Impiö and Mari Martikainen have had Mifuko certified as a member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), which implies the permanent implementation and control of fair trade and fair remuneration as well as the consideration of ecological compatibility and work safety in the production of the products. In addition, they finance projects that improve the lives of the workers and their families, such as the construction of sanitary facilities.

This product is an example of genuine handicraft; therefore, minor deviations in size and colour may occur.