Hand made items are everywhere if you "catch them."

Like any city in the world, there are so many markets and shops here in Monrovia. The challenge is finding what "you want" when you don't even know all your choices!

When being driven around for work I am like a little kid, eyes peeled, glued to the window looking into each shop and scanning the sidewalks for unique and local items, shouting slow down SLOW DOWN. About once a week I stumble across one of those unique items....this week: handmade rattan chairs. I did not have the camera or the phone on me when spotting a woman carrying these rustic chairs on her head! About a dozen small chairs for children, tied in a bundle and balanced on her head!

When the driver and I asked if she made the chairs, we found out she was a retailer heading to her market stall..She, in fact buys the chairs from a man in Lofa county who makes all sorts of furniture. She sends for these particular style of chair and sells them at her stall in the women' s market. The chairs were different sizes but each one just perfect! Of course, I now regret not buying all 12 (I bought 3)! Oh the price? $200 LD or a little less than $3 US each.

These chairs are going to look great on the wall of my apartment back in Chicago!

Not one nail was used in making this chair...

Hand woven and just perfect!