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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

88 items by Simone Buys

Indigo ArchesIndigo Blue Coasters Artisan Crafted Cotton Batik (Set of 4)

3.5

$14.99
Blue Hmong WindowsSet of 2 Elongated Hill Tribe Cotton Batik Cushion Covers

5.0

$49.99
Batik EnergyGeometric Batik Cotton Throw in Indigo from Thailand

$94.99
Hill Tribe FocusHand-Dyed Navy and White Cotton Batik Square Table Runner

$57.99
Indigo PathsUnique Cotton Striped Bedspread (Full/Queen)

$217.99
Hmong EnergyThai Artisan Crafted Blue Batik Cotton Pillow Covers (pair)

$77.99
Hill Tribe StripesBatik Cotton Cushion Covers (Pair)

$77.99
Exotic IndigoCotton batik cushion covers (Pair)

$77.99
Hmong IndigoHandmade Batik Cotton and Hemp Shoulder Bag

5.0

$84.99
Hmong LaceIndigo Blue Tablecloth Artisan Crafted Cotton Batik

~~$159.99~~ $127.99
Enchanted HillsHand Dyed Blue Cotton Batik Cushion Covers (pair)

$67.99
Urban HappinessRectangular Cotton Batik Cushion Cover in Indigo and Cream

5.0

$49.99
Indigo Floral MosaicIndigo Floral Batik Mosaic on Handmade Cotton Cushion Cover

$49.99
Contemporary IndigoIndigo and Cream Stripes on Handmade Cotton Cushion Cover

5.0

$47.99
Blue Hmong CharmSet of 2 Blue Striped Hill Tribe Cotton Batik Cushion Covers

5.0

$49.99
Blue Hmong LabyrinthTwo Hill Tribe Artisan Crafted Cotton Batik Cushion Covers

$77.99
Blue Hmong StarburstsHill Tribe Artisan Crafted Cotton Batik Cushion Covers (Two)

$79.99
Classic TechniqueArtisan Crafted Batik Cotton Throw from Thailand

$79.99
Dramatic PathwaysHandcrafted Indigo Geometric Batik Cotton Queen Bedspread

$239.99
Double SpiralFair Trade Blue and White Batik Cushion Covers (pair)

$77.99
Indigo DreamsHand Stamped Batik Coverlet in Indigo and White (Twin)

$219.99
Hmong CrossHand Stamped Batik 100% Cotton King Bed Cover Hmong Cross

$289.99
Modern IndigoHand Stamped Cotton Batik Cotton Bedspread from Thailand

$219.99
Diagonal BambooBlue Hill Tribe Cotton Batik Cushion Cover (24x24 Inch)

5.0

$47.99
Blue Bamboo Lattice24x24 Inch Blue Cotton Batik Cushion Cover from Thailand

$49.99
Indigo Happiness2 Geometric Motif Batik Cotton Pillow Shams from Thailand

$89.99
Indigo ThatchBatik Cotton Cushion Covers with Thatch Motifs (Pair)

$64.99
Geometric MoodBatik Cotton Cushion Covers with Geometric Motifs (Pair)

$64.99
Indigo PalaceHandmade Batik Cotton Cushion Covers in Indigo (Pair)

$64.99
Indigo ChainsBatik Cotton Cushion Covers in Indigo from Thailand (Pair)

$64.99
Indigo SquaresBatik Cotton Cushion Covers with Indigo Square Motifs (Pair)

$64.99
Energetic StripesBatik Cotton Cushion Covers in Indigo from Thailand (Pair)

$74.99
Energetic StripesBatik Cotton Sham in Indigo from Thailand

$47.99
Indigo ComfortIndigo Blue Batik Thai Hand-Dyed Cotton Sham Cushion Cover

$47.99
Exotic IndigoCotton batik cushion covers (Pair)

~~$67.99~~ $57.79
VinesCotton Batik Hill Tribe Blue and White Bedspread (Twin)

~~$184.99~~ $157.24
Indigo PathsUnique Cotton Striped Bedspread (Full/Queen)

~~$199.99~~ $169.99
Hmong EnergyThai Artisan Crafted Blue Batik Cotton Pillow Covers (pair)

~~$59.99~~ $50.99
Blue Hmong CharmSet of 2 Blue Striped Hill Tribe Cotton Batik Cushion Covers

~~$49.99~~ $42.49
Thai ModernIndigo and White Rectangular Cushion Covers in Cotton (Pair)

~~$67.99~~ $61.19
Hmong PathsBatik Cotton Striped Cushion Covers (Pair)

$77.99
Hmong LaceHill Tribe Artisan Crafted Cotton Batik Tablecloth

~~$89.99~~ $71.99
Indigo CloudBatik Cotton Cushion Covers with Spiral Motifs (Pair)

$79.99
Simply StripedStriped Batik Cotton Pillow Sham from Thailand

$47.99
Antique SpiralsBatik Cotton Throw with Indigo Spiral Motifs from Thailand

$94.99
Batik ObliqueHmong Dark Blue and White Cotton Batik Table Runner

$57.99
Continuous ChainHandcrafted Indigo and White Cotton Batik Table Runner

$57.99
Hmong EnergyHand Stamped All Cotton Hill Tribe Style Table Runner

$54.99
Thai ParallelsHandmade Batik Cushion Covers in Blue Cotton (Pair)

~~$67.99~~ $61.19
Square Split BambooIndigo Blue Batik Cushion Cover from Thailand

$54.99
Modern IndigoIndigo Cotton Batik Rectangular Cushion Cover

5.0

$54.99
Split BambooRectangular Cotton Batik Cushion Cover in Indigo

$57.99
Hmong CrossBlue Batik Print Hand Crafted Cushion Cover

$54.99
Indigo DreamsHand Crafted Blue Batik Square Cushion Covers (Pair)

$79.99
Urban HappinessRectangular Cotton Batik Cushion Cover in Indigo and Cream

~~$33.99~~ $28.89
Hmong CrossBlue Batik Print Hand Crafted Cushion Cover

~~$38.24~~ $32.50
Indigo PassionArtisan Crafted Cotton Bedspread (Twin)

$219.99
Rivers Between MountainsZigzag Batik Cotton Tablecloth from Thailand

$49.99
Fascinating WorldHand-Stamped Geometric Batik Cotton Tablecloth from Thailand

$49.99
Hill Tribe ZigzagThai Hill Tribe Handcrafted Batik Tablecloth (59x118)

~~$169.99~~ $135.99
Mountains & RiversThai Hill Tribe Blue Cotton Batik Tablecloth (57x79)

~~$99.99~~ $89.99
Mountains & RiversHill Tribe Artisan Blue Batik Tablecloth (57x59)

~~$89.99~~ $71.99
Exotic EnergyBatik Cotton Cushion Cover in Indigo from Thailand

$54.99
Bamboo LatticeStriped Batik Cotton Pillow Shams from Thailand (Pair)

$89.99
Indigo HolidayBatik Cotton Pillow Shams in Indigo and White (Pair)

$87.99
Exotic GeometryGeometric Batik Cotton Pillow Sham in Indigo from Thailand

$47.99
Indigo ForeverInfinity Motif Batik Cotton Pillow Sham from Thailand

$47.99
Indigo LatticeSquare Motif Batik Cotton Pillow Sham from Thailand

$47.99
Geometric DreamIndigo and White Geometric Cotton Batik Table Runner

$57.99
Embroidery InspirationWhite and Dark Blue Geometric Cotton Batik Table Runner

$57.99
Split Bamboo LatticeArtisan Made Indigo Batik 100% Cotton Bedspread (King)

$289.99
Square Modern IndigoBatik Patterned Indigo Cotton Cushion Cover

$54.99
Square Hmong CrossSquare Indigo Cushion Cover in All Cotton

$57.99
Hmong ArtBlue Cotton Batik Hill Tribe Bedspread (twin)

$219.99
Indigo DreamsHand Crafted Blue Batik Square Cushion Covers (Pair)

~~$59.49~~ $50.57
Diamond SnowflakesIndigo Blue Cotton Batik Coasters Artisan Crafted (Set of 4)

$14.99
Hmong Indigo StarsIndigo Blue Coasters Artisan Crafted Cotton Batik (Set of 4)

$14.99
Hill Tribe ConstellationHand Made Batik Cushion Covers (Pair)

$79.99
Indigo PassionBatik Cotton Cushion Covers in Indigo from Thailand (Pair)

$79.99
Hill Tribe ConstellationHand Made Batik Cushion Covers (Pair)

~~$69.99~~ $59.49
Hmong LaceIndigo Blue Tablecloth Artisan Crafted Cotton Batik

~~$109.99~~ $93.49
Indigo CrossHandcrafted Cotton Bedspread (Twin)

$209.99
Hmong LaceIndigo Blue Tablecloth Artisan Crafted Cotton Batik

~~$99.99~~ $89.99
Indigo PassionArtisan Crafted Cotton Bedspread (Twin)

~~$199.99~~ $159.99

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1 Testimonial for Simone Buys

Singapore

Thank you for the tribal tulips hobo bag and indigo blues bedspread. Love the colour and design very much. You are truly doing a good job.

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