As we were walking to the Phinney Farmers Market tonight, we came across Tunji Alao creating beautiful baskets on the sidewalk across the street from the PNA.
Tunji owns Masai Imports on Broadway on Capitol Hill and also sets up outside each Seattle farmers market. He has a wide range of sizes and styles, including a handled one that’s perfect for holding fresh produce from the market - and we saw a number of people at the market with them.
Tunji told me he came here from Ghana 35 years ago and got his masters degree in broadcast journalism from the UW. When he couldn’t find a job, his family back home sent him a bunch of hand-woven baskets to sell. He sold out immediately and his new career was born. His family continues to send him baskets and he makes his own as well, sending money back home to his family.
Here are some of his bigger baskets.
7 responses so far ↓
1 pioggia // Jul 4, 2009 at 9:59 am
He seems to have really cool baskets but it’s always bugged me that he, and other similar vendors, are set up outside the farmers market taking advantage of the crowds, but presumably not paying the fee which all the farmers & vendors inside have to pay to help make the farmers market happen. It’s kind of like stealing, no?
2 Trix // Jul 4, 2009 at 11:41 am
No. It’s not like he’s taking business away from the vendors at the farmer’s market. In fact, knowing I can find quality woven baskets there would be a reason for me to head down. And the farmer’s market makes some pretty hefty funds on tote bags and t-shirts too, no?
3 Norm // Jul 4, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Actually those vendors aren’t allowed to pay the fee and set up inside.
“No space is given to vendors of arts, crafts, imported or second-hand items, nor to wholesalers or resellers. About 75% of the markets’ stall space is given to farmers, and about 25% is allowed for local baked goods and other processed/prepared foods. ”
http://www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org/vendors
I’d call it a symbiotic relationship especially if his baskets cut down on the number of plastic bags the vendors have to hand out
4 Trix // Jul 4, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I did not know that. Thanks for the clarification, Norm.
5 Mister // Jul 4, 2009 at 3:35 pm
“It’s kind of like stealing, no”
Jeez, one black person comes to Phinney and suddenly he’s a thief.
6 seattle mike // Jul 4, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Cool. What a nice addition to the Phinney Farmers Market experience.
7 pioggia // Jul 5, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Thanks Norm I didn’t know that either. I ususally go to the Ballard Farmers market where crafts vendors ARE allowed and someone outside the bounds taking advantage of the drawn crowds might be in direct competition with someone who’d paid a fee. I didn’t realize that this was a different situation. Thanks.
@Mister - One person asks a question & suddenly they’re a bigot???
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