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Simone Buys

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Simone Buys

"Today my main concern is to praise the hands and lives of artisans who continue to offer vital dimensions to our lives. A fair price recognizes their expertise."

Simone builds upon her many years assisting artisans in the more remote corners of the world. She is experienced in the tastes and needs of European, American and Japanese consumers, and she combines this expertise with her knowledge of the potentials and limitations of different weaving media and techniques (cloth and basketry), batik art, embroidery and silversmith in developing countries.

An artist in her own right, Simone at various times provides designs, suggests design modifications and inspires artisans to stretch their own creative potentials. Born in Belgium and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Simone worked in the administration sector of Belgium, which allowed her to follow her painting career. However, wishing to lead what she calls "a more generous life," Simone returned to Africa.

Simone first saw the positive impact of the marketing assistance she was able to provide in a small community in eastern Kenya. In 1995, she worked with a local woman artisan and leader to develop a thriving enterprise. They exported unique woven sisal and banana fiber baskets, which in turn provided employment to more than 500 women. Simone witnessed how they became empowered, better able to defend their rights and take active, leading roles in their communities by adapting their skills to create products that were commercially viable in the international market, thus making a steady income.

After Kenya, Simone worked as a consultant in South Africa, Ethiopia and Morocco. She is now enthralled by the fabrics, jewelry and the cultures of East Asia, where she settled in 2004.

Simone is based in what is known as the crossroads of trade between the Golden Triangle countries of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. She is working with Hmong hill tribe people on batik and embroidery projects. She also supports other artisans and community-based weaving enterprises with product development and marketing. Her role in these projects is an active one – not only does she consult, but sometimes she joins in the design and crafting of a piece.

"I wish to honor handcrafting skills, which are fast disappearing due to the predominance of commercialism," Simone tells us. "Today my main concern is to praise the hands and lives of artisans who continue to offer vital dimensions to our lives; a fair price recognizes their expertise, and could maintain consistent work for the artisans' young followers."

Cause Badges

Preserving Traditions

Empowering Women

63 items by Simone Buys

Get it before Mother's Day

Square Modern Indigo, Batik Patterned Indigo Cotton Cushion Cover

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$54.99~~ $49.49
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Thai Parallels, Handmade Batik Cushion Covers in Blue Cotton (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$67.99~~ $61.19
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Indigo Chains, Batik Cotton Cushion Covers in Indigo from Thailand (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$59.99~~ $53.99
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Geometric Mood, Batik Cotton Cushion Covers with Geometric Motifs (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$59.99~~ $53.99
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Embroidery Inspiration, White and Dark Blue Geometric Cotton Batik Table Runner

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$57.99~~ $52.19
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Indigo Squares, Batik Cotton Cushion Covers with Indigo Square Motifs (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$59.99~~ $53.99
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Mountains & Rivers, Hill Tribe Artisan Blue Batik Tablecloth (57x59)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$54.99~~ $49.49
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Antique Spirals, Batik Cotton Throw with Indigo Spiral Motifs from Thailand

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$89.99~~ $80.99
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Classic Technique, Artisan Crafted Batik Cotton Throw from Thailand

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$89.99~~ $80.99
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Bamboo Lattice, Striped Batik Cotton Pillow Shams from Thailand (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$89.99~~ $80.99
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Indigo Cloud, Batik Cotton Cushion Covers with Spiral Motifs (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$79.99~~ $71.99
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Indigo Forever, Infinity Motif Batik Cotton Pillow Sham from Thailand

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$47.99~~ $43.19
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Double Spiral, Fair Trade Blue and White Batik Cushion Covers (pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$77.99~~ $70.19
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Energetic Stripes, Batik Cotton Cushion Covers in Indigo from Thailand (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$69.99~~ $62.99
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Indigo Holiday, Batik Cotton Pillow Shams in Indigo and White (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$87.99~~ $79.19
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Blue Hmong Labyrinth, Two Hill Tribe Artisan Crafted Cotton Batik Cushion Covers

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$77.99~~ $70.19
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Continuous Chain, Handcrafted Indigo and White Cotton Batik Table Runner

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$57.99~~ $52.19
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Indigo Thatch, Batik Cotton Cushion Covers with Thatch Motifs (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$59.99~~ $53.99
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Blue Hmong Starbursts, Hill Tribe Artisan Crafted Cotton Batik Cushion Covers (Two)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$77.99~~ $70.19
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Modern Indigo, Indigo Cotton Batik Rectangular Cushion Cover

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$49.99~~ $44.99
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Indigo Palace, Handmade Batik Cotton Cushion Covers in Indigo (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$59.99~~ $53.99
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Indigo Passion, Batik Cotton Cushion Covers in Indigo from Thailand (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$79.99~~ $71.99
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Exotic Energy, Batik Cotton Cushion Cover in Indigo from Thailand

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$54.99~~ $49.49
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Energetic Stripes, Batik Cotton Sham in Indigo from Thailand

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$47.99~~ $43.19
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Simply Striped, Striped Batik Cotton Pillow Sham from Thailand

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$47.99~~ $43.19
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Square Split Bamboo, Indigo Blue Batik Cushion Cover from Thailand

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$49.99~~ $44.99
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Thai Modern, Indigo and White Rectangular Cushion Covers in Cotton (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$67.99~~ $61.19
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Indigo Comfort, Indigo Blue Batik Thai Hand-Dyed Cotton Sham Cushion Cover

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$47.99~~ $43.19
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Batik Oblique, Hmong Dark Blue and White Cotton Batik Table Runner

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$57.99~~ $52.19
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Square Hmong Cross, Square Indigo Cushion Cover in All Cotton

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$57.99~~ $52.19
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Indigo Lattice, Square Motif Batik Cotton Pillow Sham from Thailand

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$47.99~~ $43.19
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Indigo Dreams, Hand Crafted Blue Batik Square Cushion Covers (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$69.99~~ $62.99
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Diagonal Bamboo, Blue Hill Tribe Cotton Batik Cushion Cover (24x24 Inch)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$44.99~~ $40.49
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Exotic Geometry, Geometric Batik Cotton Pillow Sham in Indigo from Thailand

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$47.99~~ $43.19
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Sophisticated Indigo, Striped Batik Cotton Pillow Sham in White and Indigo

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$47.99~~ $43.19
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Hmong Cross, Blue Batik Print Hand Crafted Cushion Cover

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$49.99~~ $44.99
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Blue Bamboo Lattice, 24x24 Inch Blue Cotton Batik Cushion Cover from Thailand

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$47.99~~ $43.19
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Geometric Dream, Indigo and White Geometric Cotton Batik Table Runner

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$57.99~~ $52.19
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Indigo Dreams, Hand Stamped Batik Coverlet in Indigo and White (Twin)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$219.99~~ $197.99
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Urban Happiness, Rectangular Cotton Batik Cushion Cover in Indigo and Cream

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$49.99~~ $44.99
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Hmong Cross, Hand Stamped Batik 100% Cotton King Bed Cover Hmong Cross

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$287.99~~ $259.19
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Split Bamboo Lattice, Artisan Made Indigo Batik 100% Cotton Bedspread (King)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$287.99~~ $259.19
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Hill Tribe Focus, Hand-Dyed Navy and White Cotton Batik Square Table Runner

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$57.99~~ $52.19
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Blue Hmong Charm, Set of 2 Blue Striped Hill Tribe Cotton Batik Cushion Covers

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$49.99~~ $44.99
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Split Bamboo, Rectangular Cotton Batik Cushion Cover in Indigo

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$57.99~~ $52.19
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Blue Hmong Windows, Set of 2 Elongated Hill Tribe Cotton Batik Cushion Covers

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$49.99~~ $44.99
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Enchanted Hills, Hand Dyed Blue Cotton Batik Cushion Covers (pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$69.99~~ $62.99
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Hmong Energy, Thai Artisan Crafted Blue Batik Cotton Pillow Covers (pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$84.99~~ $76.49
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Hmong Paths, Batik Cotton Striped Cushion Covers (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$74.99~~ $67.49
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Indigo Floral Mosaic, Indigo Floral Batik Mosaic on Handmade Cotton Cushion Cover

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$49.99~~ $44.99
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Hmong Indigo, Handmade Batik Cotton and Hemp Shoulder Bag

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$79.99~~ $71.99
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Modern Indigo, Hand Stamped Cotton Batik Cotton Bedspread from Thailand

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$259.99~~ $233.99
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Vines, Cotton Batik Hill Tribe Blue and White Bedspread (Twin)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$219.99~~ $197.99
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Hill Tribe Stripes, Batik Cotton Cushion Covers (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$74.99~~ $67.49
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Hmong Art, Blue Cotton Batik Hill Tribe Bedspread (twin)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$219.99~~ $197.99
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Hill Tribe Constellation, Hand Made Batik Cushion Covers (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$79.99~~ $71.99
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Indigo Paths, Unique Cotton Striped Bedspread (Full/Queen)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$209.99~~ $188.99
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Indigo Passion, Artisan Crafted Cotton Bedspread (Twin)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$219.99~~ $197.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Indigo Palace, Handmade Batik Cotton Cushion Covers in Indigo (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$59.99~~ $50.99
Get it before Mother's Day

Blue Hmong Windows, Set of 2 Elongated Hill Tribe Cotton Batik Cushion Covers

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$49.99~~ $42.49
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Blue Hmong Labyrinth, Two Hill Tribe Artisan Crafted Cotton Batik Cushion Covers

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$67.49~~ $57.37
Get it before Mother's Day

Hmong Cross, Blue Batik Print Hand Crafted Cushion Cover

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$38.24~~ $32.50
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Indigo Dreams, Hand Crafted Blue Batik Square Cushion Covers (Pair)

Simone Buys

(19)

~~$59.49~~ $50.57

Customer Reviews

Purchased this? Leave your review.

Artist rating

Total reviews

19

Denise

Verified Reviewer

12/21/2020

"Hmong Indio"

Nice purse for summertime use. Well made. Beautiful colors.

Best Uses

Going to the beach
Carrying lite weight items

Purchased Item:

Hmong Indigo, Handmade Batik Cotton and Hemp Shoulder Bag

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Nancy

From Moses Lake, WA , USA

Verified Reviewer

07/28/2020

"Pillow"

This goes so well in my bedroom with a blue and white color scheme

Purchased Item:

Square Modern Indigo, Batik Patterned Indigo Cotton Cushion Cover

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Barbara

Verified Reviewer

04/20/2020

"Nice throw for home"

the workmanship was very good, although i thought the price was too expensive

Tags By Barbara

elegant

Best Uses

to add to the beauty of my home

Purchased Item:

Batik Energy, Geometric Batik Cotton Throw in Indigo from Thailand

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Nikki

From Canada

Verified Reviewer

04/11/2020

"Lovely"

This is a very nice throw - love the colour and material

Purchased Item:

Batik Energy, Geometric Batik Cotton Throw in Indigo from Thailand

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Elaine

From St. Louis

Verified Reviewer

04/11/2019

"Backpack is wonderful"

I love this bag! It is a lovely combination of batik and woven that is unique and pleasing to the eye.

Purchased Item:

Hmong Indigo, Handmade Batik Cotton and Hemp Shoulder Bag

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Ou

From San Diego/CA/US

Verified Reviewer

07/30/2018

"Lovely bag"

Beautifully made batik indigo shoulder bag with interesting design.

Best Uses

Everyday bag

Purchased Item:

Hmong Indigo, Handmade Batik Cotton and Hemp Shoulder Bag

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