Minimalist handmade crafts for tidiness
While the COVID-19-induced lockdowns were disruptions to many lives, for Gorata Masupe they were an opportune time to knuckle down and get her creative instincts working. Fast forward to 2022, Masupe is a proud owner of a manufacturing company called The Minimalist that produces artistic hand-craft multi-purpose baskets which include laundry baskets, gift baskets, plant pot baskets, picnic baskets and many other storage basket suited for the purpose.
In an interview with Arts & Culture, Masupe said her business was founded in April 2020 during the first official lockdown in Botswana. She explained that their catalogue consisted of a wide range of baskets in different sizes, shapes, colours made different materials. She said it started off with colourful unique all fabric designs, which were intended to brighten up the customers space, as well as allow the customer to have colour of choice that will completely match their interior.
Masupe also pointed out that later on in 2021 the business advanced from all fabric designs and added a traditional look classified as the boho-style design to cater for customers who want to have a cultural touch on their baskets.
She said the business recently expanded into creating different types of fashionable boho bags in April this year. She added that the bags were of different sizes, shapes and designs. She said they had boho toggle weaved bags, mini size slim bags and maxi boho bags. She added that they produced exclusive and limited bag designs to cater for customers who love being different.
Moreover, Masupe added different types of artistic customised crafts were usually produced for example vision boards, chairs, toiletry holders just to mention but a few. She said they use a material called Jute, which is a golden fibre, which is a biodegradable and eco friendly
natural fiber. She added that operating with a motto to be industrial leaders in handcrafting, they offer their clients the best products available in the market.
“Our ethical functioning and transparent business scenario helps us be customer friendly and offer the best deals.
We also offer our clients with easy payment modes to help them come on board. Products offered by us are widely appreciated by our clients for their superior quality, creative design, lightweight and durability. We offer our products in customised form as per the specifications of our clients. Competitive pricing of our products and their design patterns make them a desirable product for everyone.”
“The Minimalist BW handmade multi-purpose baskets specialise in helping one’s surrounding to be easily cleaned, tidy and organised. The products do this by helping one to minimalise clutter around the house through storing it in one place resulting in a less crowded environment.
Thus it is safe to say that the other purpose of these containers is to help create space. The baskets are also suitable for a nomadic lifestyle and minimalistic lifestyle because instead of owning heavy and lots of furniture one can just own baskets which will help in easily storing their belongings to make moving from one place to another easy,” she said.
Furthermore, Masupe stated that their products had an impact on one’s mental health saying a person who dwells in an organised spacious environment was more likely to be refreshed and productive at all times. She added that the beauty of the Minimalist BW’s products was not only in leading to tidy spaces and healthy mindsets but also played an important part in saving the environment as they mostly recycle during production thus helping reduce waste pollution.
Moreover, she added that they mostly used a biodegradable material therefore priding themselves in producing environmentally friendly products thus their slogan “saving the planet in style.” He said they were mostly referred to as multi-purpose baskets because their customer used one basket for different purposes. She explained that they had baskets suitable for storing jewelry, socks, undies, laundry, blankets, kids toys, plant pots, clean clothes, bags and scarfs
“The Minimalist BW is making endeavours to help care for orphans over the age of 21 through creation of a non-profitable organisation named the “The Purpose”. The business will soon be donating two percent of the money from each product sold to the organisation. The organisation is to help offer free psychological therapy sessions, empower these youth and offer food and toiletry hampers to those who need it the most.
“Our mission is to save the planet in style by making endeavours to reduce litter pollution while producing world class handcrafted artifacts.
Recycling waste materials during production solemnly does this. Our price range start from P200 to P3,000.The pricing depends on the size, design and material used in the product,” she ended.