Our Story

Built Through Relationships, Not Transactions

Big Blue Moma was never meant to be just a product business.

From the beginning, it has been about connection—between people, between cultures, and between the hands that make something and the homes that use it.

We work directly with basket weavers in Northern Ghana, building long-term relationships that go beyond a single order or season. These partnerships allow artisans to earn consistent, fair income while continuing a craft that has been passed down through generations.

This isn’t a trend or a sourcing strategy.
It’s the foundation of everything we do.

Ghana Travel

How It Started

In 2012, founder Karie Wylie traveled to Ghana while her partner, Dominique, was volunteering there.

With a background in textiles, Karie was drawn immediately to the baskets—not just their beauty, but the skill, time, and tradition behind each one.

What began as a simple idea—to bring these baskets back to Canada—quickly became something more.

Over the years, Big Blue Moma has grown into a business that connects artisans in Ghana with customers and retailers across North America, while staying rooted in the relationships that started it all.

What Makes Our Baskets Different

Every basket is:

  • handwoven from natural elephant grass
  • shaped by hand using traditional techniques
  • slightly unique in form and pattern

They are made to be used—everyday, in real homes.

We focus on styles that are not only beautiful, but functional, durable, and easy to sell in retail environments.

A Business That Has Grown With Intention

Today, Big Blue Moma works at a scale that allows us to:

  • import containers directly from Ghana
  • maintain consistent inventory in Canada
  • support our retail partners with reliable supply

But growth has never come at the expense of how we work.

We continue to prioritize:

  • direct relationships
  • fair and consistent pricing
  • transparency across the supply chain

Meet Karie

Big Blue Moma is still a hands-on business.

Karie remains closely involved in sourcing, product development, and relationships with both artisans and retail partners. Her work is grounded in the belief that business can be both sustainable and human.