MUM*s 2020, since 2006.

STORY TIME / MATERIALS / MOORHOUSE / GANASSIN / NILSSON / ROPE / HALONEN / TUOM
CARRIED IN BLOOD,
MADE BY HEART
STORIES OF MUM’S ARTISANS
while a large one (170cm
x 240cm) takes about a
week. When sitting by
the loom, they performed
inherited skills from their
forefathers. Now they are
able to weave their own
dreams.
- It all happened when
we were in need of some
exposure. I was a bit lucky
to be a part of Mum’s.
Craftsmen from South
Africa shared with us some
real changes in their lives.
Before cooperating with
Mum’s, they spent most of
the time at street markets
waiting for buyers, having
no idea what the future
holds for them. Now
they can work from home
and get a decent income
on a regular basis. These
efficient craftsmen are able
to create ten small-sized
trophy heads or seven tailor-made
hangers in only
one day. Angus, the person
who is in charge of the telephone
BEAD products* is
obviously passionate about
his job since he dreamed
for ‘more work’. Mum’s
has introduced a modern
SoHo working style to
those craftsmen and workers.
Now they also have
more opportunities to get
out of the ‘poverty trap’
in that society which they
described as unequal.
The interviewed
craftsmen all expressed
their love for Mum’s.
They feel that their skills
and hard work are greatly
appreciated. They get fair
salaries. The phrase ‘full
transparency’ was used by
the craftsmen to describe
their business relationship
with Mum’s. They are
very proud to say that they
get compliments, a lovely
bonus, for their products.
When asked what they
want to say to Mum’s, they
put it in a very Nordic way,
simple and practical.
- Long live Mum’s!
*For more stories about
telephone BEAD products,
please check the article
“Out of the trash bin”.
This is Zanele making lampshades,
texthangers and brooches and animal
trophies for Mum’s.
By Chi Zhang
Mum’s products are
100% handmade by skillful
craftsmen in Asia, Africa
and South America. There
are young talents who are
only in their 20s and there
are also experienced craftsmen
who have been in
the business for almost 30
years. To them, handicraft
skill is embedded in their
blood.
Babulal, Dinesh, Ravi,
Surender, Akbar ali,
Rabban ali...these Indian
craftsmen have been working
with Mum’s for almost
3 years now. They make
carpets, floor cushions,
bags and wall hangings.
Through their clever
hands, a small carpet
(90cm x 200cm) can be
made in three to four days
Collecting recycled material
in Africa. (Up) “Now they
are able to weave their own
dreams”. (Left)
“I SPEAK ENGLISH AND TURKU:
GOOD WITH GOODS!
KAUHIA PALI HYVÄÄ TAVARAST!”
-THE BIRD
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