When the River Wakes Up
By Alyson Quinn
Genuine Handmade Products
Embroidered Block Handcrafted by Susan Shangwa, Nhimbe for Progress Preschool Teacher
These one-of-a-kind hand-embroidered blocks, crafted by women who nhimbe (work together) for progress, are completely machine-washable and color-fast. The amazing stitching holds up well.
Attaching to pillows, totes, jackets, shirts, etc., would be a great way to share your love of Zimbabwe. They measure 8.5″ x 14″ edge to edge. Please select the color you like from the drop-down below, by listening to the “embroidery colors” video.
Click HERE to watch a video for more information on the blocks.
Thank you for your continued support!
PURSES
These purses are hand-made by Winifilda Magaya. Trained as a seamstress as a young woman, and told by her father that her work was her first husband (i.e. its always there to sustain and will not ever be gone), she primarily sews for anyone wanting a new dress. With the economy so poor, business has been reduced drastically so she continues to look for all kinds of ways to use her skills and support her children. She is part of our MMC team as well. She has reinvested her wages into better and better equipment, so now has two industrial quality machines, a regular model, and a serger. She cares for her own children, as well as the youngest of one of her sister’s, currently putting one of her sons through college. All of these purses are made with strong but light-weight fabric that has been tie-dyed with incredible blends of colors. She made special efforts to find high-quality draw strings, nice wooden beads for the ties, and sewed a decent size of pocket on the inside of each purse.
LARGE PURSES
Dark Purple, Mauve & Tan Large #1
Dark Purple, Mauve & Tan Large #2
Dark Purple, Mauve & Tan Large #3
Dark Purple, Mauve & Tan Large #4
The picture to the left is an example of the backs of the purse where there is no machine embroidery, showing the purple, mauve, tan blend, tie-dyed on a black fabric.
These measurements are approximate, at 18″ x 18″, with a good shoulder length handle. The price includes the shipping costs.
Thank you for your support!
Green Tie Dye Large #1
Green Tie Dye Large #2
Green Tie Dye Large #3
Green Tie Dye Large #4
Green Tie Dye Large #5
The picture to the left is an example of the backs of the purse where there is no machine embroidery, showing the muted grass green and tan blend, tie-dyed on a black fabric.
These measurements are approximate, at 18″ x 18″, with a good shoulder length handle. The price includes the shipping costs.
Thank you for your support!
PICTURES FRAMED IN GLASS
These embroidered animals have been mounted in a black frame with glass. The women in Nhimbe have worked on many projects over the years to raise money to feed their families, pay school fees and make school uniforms, which is a requirement in Zimbabwe. Each picture is unique and made by a different crafts person.
The Baboon
The Young Oxen
This picture measures 11″ x 9″ in a matte finished black wooden frame. The price includes the shipping costs.
Thank you for your support!
This picture measures 11.5″ x 9″ and is in a repurposed black wooden frame. The price includes the shipping costs.
Thank you for your support!
HAND CARVINGS
Nyasha Muzambi is a Nhimbe craftsperson who has been with the project since it onset. He has always been an artisan and is the one who paints the family donor names on the wells. In the very beginning he did the artwork for the women’s embroidery cooperative. He is married to Gabriella who is extremely smart and endearing, and used to teach at the Nhimbe preschool. She was also the librarian. She stopped teaching when she had twins. Now they have 6 children! He is supporting his family with his artistry in all of these ways. Thank you for your support!
UTENSILS
These utensils are made by Nyasha Muzambi from our Nhimbe villages. These are hand-carved out of a light but sturdy wood he finds locally, called Mutamba.
Nothing fancy here, but simple wares from the village that will stand the test of time.
These spoons are 12.25″ x 1.75″ wide. The price includes the shipping costs. Thank you for your support!
These long spoons are 15.75″ x 2″ wide. The price includes the shipping costs. Thank you for your support!
These forks are 12.25″ x 1.25″ wide and have a metal piece on the end for hanging. The price includes the shipping costs. Thank you for your support!
BAMBOO CUPS
These small cups are hand carved and polished by Nyasha Muzambi from bamboo he purchases. They will hold a variety of items even though a small piece of bamboo. Nicely done designs are created using a wood burning technique. Items shown in cups are not included.
This cup has an African continent design. It is 2.75″ tall x 1.75″ wide.
The purchase price includes shipping. Thank you for your support!
This cup has an axe and spear (gano and pfumo) design. It is 2.25″ tall x 1.5″ wide.
The purchase price includes shipping. Thank you for your support!
BASKETS
These tiny baskets measure 3.5″ x 1″ and are perfect for your earrings, change and other small items. Made using local grasses from the western part of Zimbabwe.
The baskets are sold separately. The price includes the cost of the shipping.
Thank you for your continuing support!
BOWLS
Wooden Bowl #1
Wooden Bowl #2
The price includes the shipping costs.
Thank you for your continuing support!
The price includes the shipping costs.
Thank you for your continuing support!
BEADS
Ancestor Angel Beads – These beads are very high quality and represent the ancestors and “high spirits” who help us in our lives. The Shona say “vadzimu vanotungamirira” meaning the ancestors go before us and clear the way. Most of us have a sense of additional help in our lives, whether angels, or other “high spirits” as they say, and these beads are used to recognize the importance of the blended functionality of all of that. One could elaborate about customs and traditions regarding the beads but for the sake of simplicity, let’s just say they are not a casual decoration for adorning but to be used with understanding.
The price includes the shipping costs. Thank you for your support!
ANIMAL KEYCHAINS
These keychains are made with wire and glass beads and are a favorite of children and adults as they depict the animal kingdom from Zimbabwe. All measure approximately 2.5-3″ tall and .75-1.25″ wide. Beautiful lasting item.
The price includes the shipping costs. Thank you for your support!
The following items are sold out. Thank you for your support.
This exceptionally made tapestry is a one of a kind using the South African motif of “Big Five.” It measures 60″ x 76.” The cost of shipping is included in the price.
Please see the video for more information.
Thank you for your continued support!