Most handcrafters earn a living in the rice fields in the country, or around the small farms with their cattle, poultry and fruit cultivation. They live in one house with their children, parents and grandparents. Once they have finished work in the fields, the mothers and grandmothers weave the baskets. When the baskets are finished, they are taken back to the village. There the baskets are inspected, cleaned and finished at a central site. They are then transported to the central warehouse in the city, where they are packed and shipped to The Netherlands.

The Handed By products are giving used-plastics a second chance. We recycle industrial plastic waste into strap material, to create new Handed By bags and basket collections. Waste that would otherwise be thrown away and released into the environment with all its consequences. The plastic waste is used as a base granulate, the basic material for every product. By using the recycled plastic, we slow down the process of running out of natural resources of the earth.

We are a product developer, designer, manufacturer and wholesaler, all in one. Our home base is an office and warehouse with a design studio and showroom in IJsselstein (the Netherlands). From this location, Handed By supplies a large number of shops in over 20 countries, even far beyond Europe.

Handed By design is recognisable by the unique trademark stamp in the form of a handprint. Everything we put our hands to is manufactured ethically and is guaranteed 100% free of child labour.

Our collections are developed in our design studio. We continually seek out trends in terms of lifestyle, home, children and the environment, and speak to clients about their needs. Our designers consider all ideas. That way, we create designs we evaluate critically in brainstorming sessions. Only the best ideas are developed in sketches and prototypes. The designs are mocked up during production and subjected to various tests. Subsequently, production commences and the product is introduced.

Virtually all our products are made by hand. That takes place in Vietnam, Indonesia and China. Countries with a centuries-old knowledge of craft techniques, as well as typically Asian traditions and customs. One of our production sites is in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. The handcrafters are provided with the weaving material at a central point in one of the villages far beyond the large city.

Handed By products are all handwoven. Respect for the Asian traditions and habits is high-up in our agenda. We do not co-operate with heartless manufacturing facilities but directly with the handcrafters; mostly women working from their homes. We offer regular work to around 400 qualified craftswomen. After the work on the fields is finished or when the children are at school, they generate extra income by weaving Handed By products. At home, with their husband, together with the neighbour on the porch or with a group of weavers somewhere in the village.

We regularly visit our handcrafters to discuss product and material developments, carry out quality checks, inspect working conditions and nurture the partnership. In the meantime we keep in close contact online through our contact persons in the field. We guarantee that our products are not made by child labourers. Since the women are able to work during school hours, the children can attend school.

We offer regular work to approximately 400 qualified handcrafters. Women with a love of their trade and who are deeply engaged in Handed By. All handcrafters work under healthy and hygienic conditions and receive a fair wage. Since we guarantee continual work, these weavers are able to improve their circumstances considerably. For example, they are capable of providing for the basic needs of their families and communities, such as health, safe housing and education.

We work intensively with honest and personal partners that often have small businesses and believe in our vision: to conquer the world with traditionally produced baskets, bags and other items, made of recycled materials as much as possible. Our point of departure is to develop long-term relationships based on equality and trust. We have earned that trust gradually. By making significant investments in training, knowledge and quality, we now work exclusively with a core group of loyal partners.