I’m starting a little clothing business; the idea came to me from my love of all things hippie, colourful, sparkly and, of course, comfortable. I looked at some of the gorgeous Kenyan fabrics, the Indian cotton, the beads and shells and rainbow brights and thought, ‘why buy off the shelf, why not make some things myself?’ I’m whilst I’m still not sure if it’ll come to anything but it’s fun trying. Yesterday I had a moment of pure fear as I laid out money for a business that may never come to light. Then I read a sign on the school notice board that said
“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy”.
And I thought ‘fuck it, just do it'.
In the last few weeks, I’ve been super brave, driving my car all over Nairobi, making contact and discovering things. I’ve found quite a few cool places to buy material, crafts and fripperies all of which I am sharing with you. Note: some of the best places to buy crafts in Nairobi are those street corner hawkers, they offer a mean deal if you negotiate.
Biashara Street
Raja Building, 27 Biashara Street
Hilton Arcade Curio Shop
This is one of the oldest craft shops in town. There are many reasons to visit; the stock is super cheap and all one price. I hate bargaining and so this was a dream. They hand you a basket and you wander through the store, which is piled high goodies. Look for beaded bracelets, necklaces, earrings and animals, wooden spoons, carved animals and Kitenge bags and purses. It's your regular Maasai Market stock at a very reasonable price and no need for hassle or haggling.
Within the Hilton Arcade (under the hotel), Mama Ngina Street
Indian Cotton at The Shop & Zawadi Africa, Karen
The best place to buy Indian Cotton to make your clothes in Malindi but if you aren’t planning a trip to the coast then two shops in Karen stock bolts of material. The Shop in Hardy Dukas (which incidentally has an awesome range of Indian Cotton clothing if you want to buy off the rack) and Zawadi Africa at Karen Crossroads (next to Nothing Like it Spa) on the first floor above KPS.
The Haberdashery Shop, Galleria Mall
For skeins of cotton, balls of wool, knitting needles, buttons, badges and all kinds of sewing paraphernalia then this shop in the Galleria stocks everything you need. It is closer than a trip to Biashara Street but more expensive. If you are a Karenite you need to weigh up the pros and cons of Uhuru Drive vs the pesa in your pocket
Galleria Mall, Langata
Craft Market at the Galleria
Let’s face it the craft market is a tourist trap and their products are priced accordingly but if you go there with determination and a shallow grasp of Swahili you can find Kitenge, Kikoys and local crafts without breaking the bank Negotiation is key.
Galleria Mall, Langata
Kazuri Beads
Kazuri was founded to provide employment for local women who were struggling to find work. Visit Kazuri and go on a factory tour to watch the work famous beads being handcrafted. As well as selling jewellery made by the women you can buy a packet of loose beads and make something wonderful for yourself. A large packet goes for 4000.
Mbagathi Ridge, Karen
Utamaduni
Utamaduni is another tourist stop off on the Elephant Orphanage, Giraffe Centre circuit. It’s a large house filled will some usual crafts from all over Africa. Whilst it is priced for the tourist market, they aren’t excessive and you don’t have to negotiate. If you are looking for more unusual material there is a shop here that stocks mudcloth and occasionally other African fabric.
Bogani East Road off Langata South
House of Leather
I have a love /hate relationship with House of Leather. Let’s face it, it’s a gigantic shop full of tat, but I love it. It’s like South Africa’s Crazy Store but bigger and better. Toys, cooking stuff, ornaments, lamps all the things you never knew you needed until you see them and if you choose to buy them will probably break in a day anyway. It was great for stocking gifts though. And you can buy sewing things and feathers, pom poms, sequins, cheap beads an all kinds of fluff and tat to bedazzle that boring old t-shirt
Adams Arcade, Ngong Road
Maasai Market Nairobi
The Maasai Market moves all over town so you need to track it down. If you are looking for curios and crafts in Nairobi then this fabulously popular market is worth a visit, especially if you are in town only for a short while and looking for souvenirs. Over 50 different stalls selling, Maasai Shukas, Kikoys, Kitenge, beaded, metal and wooden jewellery and crafts and hand-woven baskets. You need to haggle and I always feel hassled and therefore rarely buy anything but it’s a must-do for a visitor to Nairobi.
- Tuesday: Westgate Shopping Mall in Westlands (the upper car park) relocated to Kijabe Street opposite the Norfolk Hotel
- Wednesday: Capital Centre on Mombasa Road near the airport
- Thursday: Nakumatt Junction Shopping Mall on Ngong Road
- Friday: Village Market in Gigiri (the upper car park)
- Saturday: The High Court parking lot in the city center (behind the Hilton)
- Sunday: Yaya Centre in Hurlingham
Basket Lady, Red Hill Road.
If you drive along Red Hill Road towards the Village Market you will see a couple of stalls selling a humungous array of brightly coloured baskets. A proper visual feast of weaving and colour. They sell baskets and bags all the colours of the rainbow and even with my pathetic attempts at bargaining you can usually pick up a really good deal.
Spinners Web
Spinners web is a curio shop, little in the way of craft supplies but a great place to find local crafts, clothing, weavings, sculptures and art from all over East Africa. Again, I've blogged about it before in my post here, so check out the post then check out the shop. It has a great place to lunch and is perfect for a day out.
I found a couple of these places thanks to this awesome blog from Dena Dale Crain so check it out as she has quite a few places to buy crafts in Nairobi that I haven’t visited yet.
The post Where to shop for crafts and curios in Nairobi appeared first on The Expat Mummy.
