Large water hyacinth baskets with two strong handles round laundry baskets with handles for living room, bedroom order and patio/Christmas gifts

Demensions:
Diameter 40cm/15.7", height 35cm/13.8"
Diameter 35cm/13.8", height 30cm/11.8"

The basket is handmade from natural water hyacinth braids, extremely durable. With two sizes available, this basket is perfect for daily use inside the house or on the go. This basket is perfect for the family room, media room, kid's rooms, kitchen, bathroom or office. It can serve as a storage device for clothing and towels, books and magazines, food, toys, etc..

Each bin is handcrafted in a smoke and toxin free environment. We recommend wiping with a damp cloth for cleaning; do not place it near a radiator or other sources of heat.

Since every product is hand-made upon order, please allow 2-7 business days for us to make the product after the payment and get it ready for shipment. We have a variety of rugs, cushions, tables, chairs and more weaved and plaited from cattails, cornhusk and reeds. Discover other products here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GrasShanghai.

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Discover the traditional process behind these ancient techniques…

The technique of weaving and plaiting using cattails as raw material is not known to everyone. In fact, a little county of Hubin in northern China is the only place in the country where you can still discover this craft.

1.Collection of raw materials
In summer, men from the countryside will go together to collect the cattails that grow in shallow waters of the lakes, rivers and wetlands, where the environment has been preserved in its pristine state.

2.Preparation of order materials
When transported from the wild to the villages, women of the family will then take the fresh grass and lay them out in front of the houses or on the country road to dry them out by natural sunlight. The dried plants will be carefully filtered according to quality, and then stored in the farmers' houses.

3.Weaving and plaiting
Every day, women will take out some small portion of the plant and soak it in clean water so that it is soft enough for weaving. For women in Hubin, it is their way of living: rise early to make breakfast for the family, then those in the neighborhood will gather in a chosen woman's house or in the Hutong (a traditional Chinese alleyway) to work together, weaving all kinds of crafts from cattails. While working, they bond – talking, laughing and gossiping. This tradition is passed from mothers to daughters, making the women of Hubin both financially independent and socially bonded.