And there it was! I just had to have it. My new small happy wallet handmade by Z. Mgando in Cape Town South Africa. I found it this summer, when I was visiting Design Hill, a lovely interior design center, close to the main highway between Turku and Helsinki. I had actually already passed the check out and I was ready to leave, when I saw this lovely little piece of handicraft.
This wallet is a “one-of-a-kind Mielie product” that has been made of recycled material. Mielie’s mission is: “ to design and produce innovative, export-quality hand-crafter products using reclaimed materiales – with the aim of creating employement and restoring dignity and financial independence to South Africans”. As they state on their website their three main pillars are to be passionate about job creation, taking care of the planet and beautiful & excellent design.
Miele is also active in doing socially good. They have for example organized information and education sessions on HIV and general health, how to deal with abuse and partnered with a preschool in Khayelitsha etc. See more here.
The Miele products are sold by Mums in Finland, which is a Finnish art brand that started out as a commual art-project back in 2006 by Outi Puri. On their website she mentions that she “loves to think art without boundaries and sees creativity as a tool for building a bit better today, as well as tomorrow.” In other words, Mums is another very interesting initative to blog about. So until next time!
Mikaela Ekholm
What a brave Woman. I admire het vision in her troubled land. They bring indeed light and dignity back to people of her country. Not to mention that the products looks very sweet and innovative.