Tintsaba
Getting ready to trim the tree? Christmas is a time for giving, receiving and sharing so why not let your tree embody that sentiment with meaningful ornaments. Bypass the convenience of picking up mass-produced baubles from your highstreet store, instead find out what local artists, designers or community organisations have to offer, and it goes without saying your local church, school and community fairs are sources for uncovering some unique gems. With so much to chose from I have zoomed the spotlight on Tintsaba whose wonderfully simple yet stylish ornaments brought a smile to my face.

Tintsaba, set up in Swaziland in 1985, specialises in high-quality hand woven products using sisal. An income-generating organisation, Tintsaba enables women in the local communities to become highly skilled master weavers, silversmiths and/or managers, through investing in a continuous cycle of training and product development. A focus on individual development is one of Tintsaba’s core values, creating an environment where the women can participate in HIV/AIDS training workshops, a literacy training programme called Tintsaba Reads and have access to a mobile health clinic. Over the years approximately 900 women have benefited and contributed to the success of Tintsaba.

To complete the effect, why not hang them on this gorgeous wooden birch tree by South African design company Koop, available at PurelyAfrican.

Tebazile
Expressive and free-spirited, Tebazlie is an eclectic collection of timeless handcrafted statement pieces. The highly wearable jewellery collections serve to mix the colours and textures of traditional West African and European motifs, produced in semi-precious stones and metals. Bold designs in the form of necklaces, cuffs, collars and rings are inspired by vibrant colors and indigenous patterns of Africa.

Heartworks
Today is the first of December, and World AIDS Day. Marking this day, today’s offerings introduce you some gorgeous, cute and cuddly teddy bears courtesy of the talented ladies at Heartworks; an embroidery group based in Khayelitsha, South Africa started in 2004. 

Founded by Margaret Woermann, Heartworks has brought together approximately 38 ladies and their children from Zimbabwe, the Congo and the Eastern Cape. Heartworks is an explosion of bright colour, texture, imagery and patchwork appliqué lovingly hand-embroidered onto items such as cushions, slippers, bags and teddy bears. Heartworks mission was to help these talented craftswomen to earn an income, rebuild and move their lives forward and is now an award-winning embroidery group, having won an award for Best Textile in Western Cape in May 2009. I see some heartwarming stories depicted in the embroidery artwork - notice the red Aids ribbon embroidered onto the teddy bear’s foot; I guess as a poignant reminder of the challenges that still have to be faced and how they are being overcome. These teddy bears make a wonderful gift for any age and as each is hand-embroidered and therefore a unique one-off piece, I’m sure they will become heirlooms to be passed down through the generations.