Craft It · 2013–2023
Archived stories
Ten years of Kenyans and the things they make by hand: makers, Nairobi and Kampala, motherhood, dusty rugs and the conversations in between. 300 stories, brought back online.
2018Urban GuideUrban GuideWhen the street lights come onBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI The bad news isn’t that I’m ageing. The bad news is that I’m ageing, and I see it and…2018Dusty RugsDusty RugsPump ManBY MIKE MUTHAKA Did you know 2,000 bob will get you 25.84 liters of kerosene in Kitengela? I didn’t. But the guy…2018Urban GuideUrban GuideFive reasons I’m buying tickets to the Johnny Walker Kampala Jazz Safari in JuneBY ERNEST TUAPE (Craft It’s new foreign correspondent in Kampala) #1. The Headliner I call up my friend Sue who’s a jazz…
Made By HandBenta of BagWorld LeatherBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI “Why did you choose to make bags, Benta?” “I’d wanted to continue with doing shoes but lack of good…2018Dusty RugsDusty RugsBoys just wanna have funBY MIKE MUTHAKA Have you ever stood on Mama Ngina street, right outside International House, and one of the guards on the…2018Craft ItCraft ItA high five for something Japanese in KampalaBY ERNEST TUAPE (Craft It’s new foreign correspondent in Kampala) #1. Yujo Izakaya Carol, my Tanzanian friend whom I met in Nairobi,…
Conversation WithConversation With: Jazeera of Say It With ChocolateBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI “What drives you, Jazeera?” “I’m afraid of being poor. I’m always afraid that I won’t have money in my…2018Urban GuideUrban GuideCraft It at Six MonthsBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI I’m stressed. I didn’t know how stressed I was until last week Wednesday, when BAKE (Bloggers Association of Kenya)…2018Dusty RugsDusty RugsNext MondayBY MIKE MUTHAKA Those were sad days. Everyone else was as jolly as Christmas would allow but you were holed up in…
Made By HandCharity of Knotty ThingsBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI “It was about 2014 when I started crocheting again,” says Charity. “Mum was unwell and I wanted to make…2018Dusty RugsDusty RugsUncle BuckBY MIKE MUTHAKA It was one of the first movies I ever watched on DVD. ‘Planes, Trains & Automobiles’ starring Steve Martin…2018Urban GuideUrban GuideFive from Kampala: A rookie’s guide to killing your snack cravingsBY ERNEST TUAPE (Craft It’s new foreign correspondent in Kampala) #1. Kabalagala There’s a place in Kampala called Kabalagala. Such a whippy…
MotherhoodMuna turned twoBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI Muna has horrible morning breath. OK, I’m being dramatic. It’s not horrible, really, but it no longer has the…2018Dusty RugsDusty RugsAn angel in spandexBY MIKE MUTHAKA A man sits behind a desk on the third floor of an old building. The room feels cramped. A…
Urban GuideFive reasons I hang around longer than I’d planned at the Pearl of Africa tourism expoBY ERNEST TUAPE (Craft It’s new foreign correspondent in Kampala) #1. Remarkable Rwanda The Land of a Thousand Hills had teardrop banners…
Made By HandJoseph of Manje LeatherBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI Help me out here, will you? I want to describe how Manje’s store of preserved hides and skins smells…
Dusty RugsSome Moments. Some QuestionsBY MIKE MUTHAKA By the tap The water tank sat right next to a steaming sufuria. The path was rough and narrow.…2018Craft ItCraft ItFive reasons why you should take your date to OlaBY ERNEST TUAPE (Craft It’s new foreign correspondent in Kampala) #1. The name The girl I made a connection with on Tinder…2018Craft ItCraft ItSidelinesBY MIKE MUTHAKA A tow truck sits on the side of the road. Cars circle the roundabout and go without noticing the…
Urban GuideFive local markets that colour my beautiful city, KampalaBY ERNEST TUAPE #1. Nakasero Market (I’m typing this at midday, listening to a playlist from my music collection. Now playing is…
Made By HandFlorah of Trio Crafts & RugsBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI In the six years “Tell me, Florah, in the six years of running your business here at Trio Crafts,…
Dusty RugsTake this bread, SonBY MIKE MUTHAKA I can’t remember the last time I took communion. It must have been back in primary school – around…
Urban GuideFive historical, religious and cultural sites to visit when in KampalaBY ERNEST TUAPE (Craft It’s new foreign correspondent in Kampala) #1. Baha’i House of Worship Built with the shape the African hut,…2018Made By HandMade By HandCraft It takes it to YouTubeBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI I got married early this month. On 3rd February. It was a Saturday, a gorgeous Saturday in this gorgeous…
Made By HandBenta of BagWorld LeatherBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI “Why did you choose to make bags, Benta?” “I’d wanted to continue with doing shoes but lack of good…2018Dusty RugsDusty RugsBoys just wanna have funBY MIKE MUTHAKA Have you ever stood on Mama Ngina street, right outside International House, and one of the guards on the…2018Craft ItCraft ItA high five for something Japanese in KampalaBY ERNEST TUAPE (Craft It’s new foreign correspondent in Kampala) #1. Yujo Izakaya Carol, my Tanzanian friend whom I met in Nairobi,…Conversation WithConversation With: Jazeera of Say It With ChocolateBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI “What drives you, Jazeera?” “I’m afraid of being poor. I’m always afraid that I won’t have money in my…2018Urban GuideUrban GuideCraft It at Six MonthsBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI I’m stressed. I didn’t know how stressed I was until last week Wednesday, when BAKE (Bloggers Association of Kenya)…2018Dusty RugsDusty RugsNext MondayBY MIKE MUTHAKA Those were sad days. Everyone else was as jolly as Christmas would allow but you were holed up in…Made By HandCharity of Knotty ThingsBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI “It was about 2014 when I started crocheting again,” says Charity. “Mum was unwell and I wanted to make…2018Dusty RugsDusty RugsUncle BuckBY MIKE MUTHAKA It was one of the first movies I ever watched on DVD. ‘Planes, Trains & Automobiles’ starring Steve Martin…2018Urban GuideUrban GuideFive from Kampala: A rookie’s guide to killing your snack cravingsBY ERNEST TUAPE (Craft It’s new foreign correspondent in Kampala) #1. Kabalagala There’s a place in Kampala called Kabalagala. Such a whippy…MotherhoodMuna turned twoBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI Muna has horrible morning breath. OK, I’m being dramatic. It’s not horrible, really, but it no longer has the…2018Dusty RugsDusty RugsAn angel in spandexBY MIKE MUTHAKA A man sits behind a desk on the third floor of an old building. The room feels cramped. A…Urban GuideFive reasons I hang around longer than I’d planned at the Pearl of Africa tourism expoBY ERNEST TUAPE (Craft It’s new foreign correspondent in Kampala) #1. Remarkable Rwanda The Land of a Thousand Hills had teardrop banners…Made By HandJoseph of Manje LeatherBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI Help me out here, will you? I want to describe how Manje’s store of preserved hides and skins smells…Dusty RugsSome Moments. Some QuestionsBY MIKE MUTHAKA By the tap The water tank sat right next to a steaming sufuria. The path was rough and narrow.…2018Craft ItCraft ItFive reasons why you should take your date to OlaBY ERNEST TUAPE (Craft It’s new foreign correspondent in Kampala) #1. The name The girl I made a connection with on Tinder…2018Craft ItCraft ItSidelinesBY MIKE MUTHAKA A tow truck sits on the side of the road. Cars circle the roundabout and go without noticing the…Urban GuideFive local markets that colour my beautiful city, KampalaBY ERNEST TUAPE #1. Nakasero Market (I’m typing this at midday, listening to a playlist from my music collection. Now playing is…Made By HandFlorah of Trio Crafts & RugsBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI In the six years “Tell me, Florah, in the six years of running your business here at Trio Crafts,…Dusty RugsTake this bread, SonBY MIKE MUTHAKA I can’t remember the last time I took communion. It must have been back in primary school – around…Urban GuideFive historical, religious and cultural sites to visit when in KampalaBY ERNEST TUAPE (Craft It’s new foreign correspondent in Kampala) #1. Baha’i House of Worship Built with the shape the African hut,…2018Made By HandMade By HandCraft It takes it to YouTubeBY FLORENCE BETT-KINYATTI I got married early this month. On 3rd February. It was a Saturday, a gorgeous Saturday in this gorgeous…