Postal Exchange: Monsters & African Handicrafts

This season, I've had a lot of inquiries from my friends about buying some of my crafts. But of course, I don't feel right taking their money (especially with the pound/dollar exchange). And I'm aware that some of the patterns I use, that are not my own, are for personal use only. So instead, I've been holding postal exchanges! Honestly, they're much more fun because I love the element of surprise.

This is a monster I made for a friend from university. Her brother was expecting a baby and she wanted to give him something personal and handmade. The monster is made using the dangercrafts pattern for Maddox the Monster BUT I did it in crochet! I'm glad about the way it turned out. I like that the skin of the monster is thicker, meaning more durability.

In exchange, she sent me some beautiful crafts from Benin. The pendant necklace is from the Bariba ethnic group. The metal disc is originally a child's bracelet, but has been transformed into a necklace with the brightly colored rafia. It's to ward off bad health. The scarf was handwoven and the bracelet is made from cow horn. I love the mustard color of the rafia rope and I can't wait to wear it this season!



I currently have plenty of exchanges in the works. I love getting things in the mail that aren't bills!