Wicker Tote

About

Wicker Tote is all about bags, wicker, handmade and design. We take the time to carefully select or personally design our products in order to deliver classic magnificent high-quality products to our customers. Every item is individually crafted using natural, environmentally friendly materials. The products are made in the regions of Thailand where basketry has been practiced for thousands of years.

Basketry has been an important part of Thai culture for centuries. The simple woven bamboo items found by archaeologists in Srisawat district, Kanchanaburi, are believed to be over 4,000 years old. The people of ancient Thailand made use of the leaves, branches, or vine abundant in the area to create simple containers and fabric. The art of basketry continued to develop and flourish in the agricultural regions of Thailand providing the local people with affordable, practical, durable and aesthetically pleasing local products for everyday use. The art was perfected over centuries, resulting in the exquisite ornate wickerwork of the present day.

My name is Jirawat Mahasarn. I grew up in a countryside in the northeastern part of Thailand in a family of farmers. It's been many years since I left my hometown to live in Bangkok and then Brisbane. I grew up in a house full of wicker baskets, containers, kitchen utensils, mats and other household items and have become fascinated with wicker. It will always remind me of home and bring back fond childhood memories.

It is very common for Thai villagers to supplement their modest farming incomes through their prowess at wickerwork. The government programs designed to support the locally made products such as One Tambon One Product (OTOP), do little to help the products reach the global market which is dominated by Chinese mass-produced substitutes. As a member of my community, I am delighted to play my part in supporting and promoting the beautiful hand-made products from my home country. It is very reassuring and satisfying to see them being enjoyed and appreciated by people worldwide.

Good design and centuries-old weaving techniques result is beautiful and stylish items that add a traditional touch to modern fashion. I personally love bags and have found that wicker adds a great touch to any style to create a unique look. All products from our store are individually selected for your pleasure. Some have been personally designed by myself. Others have been designed by the locals and selected for my range, ensuring that it meets Australian sense of fashion and the current trends.