This week’s Friday Feature is the lovely Tabara from La Basketry. Tabara initially started her business as a platform to share handwoven pieces created by a group of Senegalese female artisans; but by 2019 her love and skill in creating woven pieces herself led to the release of her first book ‘Baskets’. Since then, she has continued to share artisan-made woven items, and help other people learn and enjoy the techniques through kits, workshops, and her second book, ‘Woven’.
We asked Tabara some questions, to get to know more about the wonderful woman behind the inspiring business…
I launched my small business La Basketry in 2017. At the time, I was trying to reconnect with my Senegalese roots. Senegal is where my parents were born and raised, and I’ve always admired the incredible craftsmanship that is celebrated and practised there.
Basket weaving, in particular, stood out to me. It’s a craft that has been passed down from generation to generation among women in rural villages. Ultimately, I wanted to start the business as a way to reconnect with my heritage, celebrate this timeless craft, and shine a light on its beauty and cultural significance.
What I love most about basket weaving is the meditative and therapeutic aspect it brings. There’s something truly beautiful about the repetitive motions – the rhythm of weaving is calming and allows you to focus entirely on the present moment. It’s almost like a form of mindfulness.
But what I find most magical is watching something take shape in your hands. Starting with just raw materials and seeing them transform into a beautiful, functional piece is incredibly rewarding. It’s not just a craft; it’s a connection to tradition, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment.
I’d say a big misconception is that weaving is really difficult or takes a long time to learn. In reality, like with any craft, it’s all about finding the right technique. There are actually quite a few basketry techniques you can experiment with, and once you’ve mastered the basic steps, they can be adapted to create almost anything you want.
It’s also about finding the right materials that suit you, your lifestyle, and what you have available. Once you’ve got those foundations, weaving becomes much more approachable than people might think.
Over the years, there have been several challenges, but I’d say cash flow has been one of the most recurring ones. Running a small business often comes with periods of stability followed by times that are much less predictable, and managing those fluctuations can be tricky.
One way I’ve managed to balance this is by developing multiple revenue streams. For example, I offer a basket-weaving course, which has now reached over 5,000 students, as well as writing craft books that generate royalties, teaching workshops, and exploring other creative opportunities. Diversifying my income has been key to navigating the ups and downs and keeping the business sustainable.
To be completely honest, I don’t think I ever had a fixed idea of where the business would go – I’ve always kept an open mind about how things could grow and evolve. As a small business owner, I think that flexibility is so important because the journey is rarely straightforward.
That said, one thing I’ve always stayed true to is my core values and ethos. Those have been my guiding principles, even when the business has taken me in unexpected directions. There have been moments where opportunities came up that I hadn’t envisioned at the start, but by staying aligned with what’s important to me, I’ve been able to embrace those opportunities.
I think running a business – especially a creative one – means your week can look very different depending on the season of life or the time of year. Some periods are more focused on creativity and product development, while others are more admin-heavy and business-oriented.
Right now, since it’s the beginning of the year, my focus is on planning and preparation. For example, I’m currently working on updating decks that showcase the range of workshops I can offer this year. Weddings and summer events are a big part of what I do with woven fans, so I’m updating all the information – like pricing and offerings – and starting to send those out to potential clients.
This time of year is very much about getting everything organised – making sure all the ducks are in a row – so that the rest of the year can run smoothly.
That said, my weeks can shift quickly. Sometimes I’ll need to pivot to focus on new product development, curating a bespoke workshop for a company, or other creative projects. It really varies, and that’s one of the things I love about running my own business – it’s never dull!
It’s hard to pick just one, so I’d highlight two projects that are particularly close to my heart.
The first is my second book, Woven, which was released in September 2024. The book focuses on using basketry techniques to create fashionable accessories like basket bags and jewellery. It was such a fun project to work on, but also incredibly challenging since I was a new mum for most of the time I was working on it. What I really love about creating a book is the process: starting with an idea, writing the proposal, having it approved by an editor and the team, and then bringing those ideas to life through the projects and photoshoots. In the end, you’re left with something tangible – something that travels the world, lives in bookstores, libraries, and people’s homes, and will last forever. That’s pretty amazing, and I’m incredibly proud of it.
The second project I’d highlight is La Petite Senna, a collection of three crochet dolls launched in December 2023. The set includes dolls with diverse skin tones, along with a miniature basket kit, and it holds a special place in my heart. I created it for my daughter, but it was also inspired by my own childhood. Growing up, there weren’t many dolls that reflected diverse skin tones, so it feels deeply meaningful to have created something inclusive that would have appealed to my younger self. It’s a project that’s both personal and creative, and I’m so proud of the impact it has had.
Being a creative woman definitely influences the way I approach my business decisions. I think creativity is at the heart of everything I do, from designing new products to developing workshops. As a woman in a creative field, I’m constantly inspired by the desire to create something meaningful that resonates with people, especially in a way that reflects my values and identity.
My creativity gives me the freedom to think outside the box, experiment with new ideas, and take risks that might not always make sense from a purely business perspective, but are deeply rewarding and aligned with my passions.
Yes, I think it’s something that has always been with me, even though there have been times when I may have focused on other things or felt less connected to it. From a very young age, I’ve always been drawn to creative activities, whether it was writing or crafting. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve also learned that creativity isn’t just about producing something tangible, it’s a way of thinking, problem-solving, and expressing my values.
There have been times when life felt particularly overwhelming – whether it was due to stress, uncertainty, or personal struggles – and creativity has definitely provided a sense of escape and allowed me to focus my energy on something positive and productive.
We hope you enjoyed getting to know more about Tabara as much as we did. Her skill and passion for weaving, along with wanting to embrace and share part of her heritage, is a joy to see. You can find Tabara’s woven collection, kits, workshops, and books, on her website: www.labasketry.com and see some lovely behind the scenes content on her Instagram: @labasketry
If you haven’t already found us over on Instagram – why not come say hi and give us a follow. We would love for you to join the conversation and help spread the movement by sharing our content.
Any and all opinions expressed by third parties in our content are not necessarily the opinions of FCS. All FCS content, including content provided by third parties, is intended for general guidance and inspiration. Third-party products and services mentioned in content have not necessarily been tested by FCS. Any content feature, mention of a third-party product or service, or link to a third-party business and/or external site, does not suggest an endorsement from, or affiliation with, FCS. FCS is never paid (or directly compensated) for any features, opinions, or information provided in our content about any third-party services, products, sites or miscellaneous topics – unless clearly stated otherwise.
