MUMs News 2021

STORY TIME / MATERIALS / NEW FOR 2021 / WALL ART / ROPE / TUOMINEN / GANASSIN, HALONEN
CARRIED IN BLOOD,
MADE BY HEART
STORIES OF MUM’S ARTISANS
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
while a large one (170cm x
240cm) takes about a week.
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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