Trade Boring Bags for Bright Raffia

Think of straw bags, and what likely comes to mind is the giant straw tote your grandmother used to take to the beach. Then think again: Laurel Brandstetter and Jamila Hubbard of Mad Imports have a very different idea. Their bags?handmade from renewable raffia and cotton and imported from Madagascar and Kenya?are made of eye-poppingly bright stripes, hand-embroidered flowers, and carved wooden handles. Try the sleek Isadora clutch with its black boabab tree on a neon background or the beachy Opal with a rainbow sunburst. These are definitely not your grandma?s bags.

More on plastic bag alternatives:

Modbury: A Year Without Plastic Bags

More on sustainable carryalls:Eco Luggage

Other uses for raffia:

Phillip Jeffries Natural Wallcoverings

(via sprig.com)