Why not make your outdoor gatherings and picnics that little bit unique by using one-of-a-kind artisan-made products, which are beautiful, sustainable, practical and ethically made? From hand woven baskets to carved wooden cutlery and recycled picnic rugs, we’ve put together a selection of conversation starting artisanal products, which will not only support the work of talented craftspeople, but also add extra flavour to your picnic experience.
Let's dive in!
Picnic Basket
Natural Lidded Picnic Basket, by The Basket Room
Ethically hand-woven by artisans in Northern Ghana, this picnic basket is the perfect size for all of your picnic goodies and at other times of the year, it would make a beautiful shopping basket or be perfect as storage. The picnic basket is woven from an indigenous grass called Veta Vera which is undyed, natural and very durable.
Wine Basket
KARIBU: Sisal wine baskets, by The Kenyan Crafts Company
The Kenyan Crafts Company supports women from rural villages, celebrating their skill and protecting the beautiful traditional craft of Kiondo basket weaving. They also want to take care of the environment by sourcing materials sustainably and locally. These sisal wine baskets come in a range of colours, with the lovely detail of a leather handle, and are the perfectly stylish way to carry the picnic drink of your choice.
Check out their collection on Etsy
Tumblers
White Ceramic Tumbler, by Dor & Tan, Made By Sharron Stocks
To accompany your beautiful wine basket you will be needing something equally beautiful to drink from. Drinking from ceramic tumblers on a trip out might require a little more care than plastic ones but these will certainly add a much more luxurious feel to your picnic, and these are dishwasher safe, so no worries there. These exquisite, contemporary, ceramic tumblers are made from St Agnes Cornish clay by Ceramicist Sharron Stocks.
Picnic Rugs
Lambswool Block Throw, by Wallace Sewell
This throw has a modern twist on the classic, checked picnic blanket, with positive pops of colour and mismatched blocks like a woven piece of modern art. Wallace Sewell was established by Harriet Wallace-Jones and Emma Sewell, and all of their products are designed and produced in the UK and woven at a family-run business. Like their blankets, the throws take a lot of their inspiration from Bauhaus design. Their signature throw is woven from soft merino lambswool and has a honeycomb texture, giving it a delightfully soft and comfy feel.
Diamond Dove Grey Blanket, by The Haven Home Interiors
These handwoven rugs are made from 300 recycled plastic bottles and yet amazingly look and feel like wool. Not only are they environmentally friendly, but extremely practical too; stain and mould resistant, easy to clean and machine washable so banish any worries about grass or wine stains with these picnic rugs.
Recycled Wool Throw, by Trudie Oliver
Created in the UK from end of line yarns which would otherwise have gone to waste, these beautiful wool throws have a unique blend of fibres and colour. When not being taken out on picnics, this throw would brighten up any sofa or armchair.
Cutlery Set
Handmade Wooden Cutlery Set, by Jungle Culture
Jungle Culture is a UK based company which supports artisans whilst reducing the terrible impact of plastic waste on the planet, producing alternatives to disposable plastic cutlery such as this wooden cutlery set. Handmade in Vietnam by artisans, this set is crafted from upcycled ebony wood without the use of harmful pesticides and fertilisers. The set comes with a handy fabric travel bag that makes packing your picnic hamper that little bit easier and tidier.
This handwoven tray set is ideal for laying out a tasty picnic spread, and when you are not picnicking, would be a great place to store fruit. The trays are fair trade and crafted from sustainable grasses and repurposed plastic, with handles to make them easier to carry.
The brand is run by sisters Elizabeth and Emma who founded it in 2014, out of their love for Senegalese baskets, and they work with over 75 artisans in Senegal.
In the same way that a great frame does justice to an outstanding painting, adding just one or two of these beautiful, crafted items will enhance your delicious picnic, creating an unforgettable outdoor occasion. Bon appetit!
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