Meet the Makers of the Crossbody Woven Purse

The artisans of Rishilpi Handicrafts, masterminds behind the bestselling Essential Companion Tote, have designed a new purse featuring natural palm leaf and leather accents. The Crossbody Woven Purse is a neutral accessory that makes for an excellent addition to your ethical capsule wardrobe for summer.

Mrs. Sarker & Mrs. Begum, two artisans working with Rishilpi Handicrafts in Bangladesh, both bring 20 years of experience to crafting this minimalist summer accessory. Mrs. Sarker works in production, carefully hand-weaving strips of palm leaf to create the sturdy base of this crossbody purse. She has been weaving palm leaf baskets and bags for Rishilpi since 1998.

Mrs. Sarker shared that she feels honor in her family and society when she is able to contribute to her family’s income with the fair wages she earns from Rishilpi.

Mrs. Sarker uses her income to help pay for her son’s education and has been able to start saving money. She lives with her husband on land they own in the Satkhira District of Bangladesh. She hopes to continue weaving palm leaf baskets and bags for Rishilpi for many years to come.

Mrs. Begum, who works in the basket fitting department at Rishilpi, also lives with her husband on land they own in the Satkhira District. She has three children who are all in school.

Mrs. Begum enjoys working with Rishilpi for the fair wages and job security.

Rishilpi employs 2,000 artisans in Bangladesh and transforms communities by paying fair wages and investing in schools and health care services. When you pay a fair price for the Crossbody Woven Purse, you’re helping to provide income for skilled fair trade artisans like Mrs. Sarker and Mrs. Begum.

When you donate to Ten Thousand Villages, you’re investing in an ethical business model that creates a safety net of financial security for artisans in marginalized communities around the globe.