Many companies who work with artisans in far away places, like Local + Lejos, will tell you about how their collaboration generates a better life for the workers, their families, and the local community. And you’ll likely also hear how it provides a steady income for things like better accommodation, paying school fees and supporting […]
Making textiles is a long-time, age-old tradition in Teotitlán del Valle, Mexico. And so when we shared a little ‘behind the scenes’ recently about the making of our Mexican rugs, we got so many questions, compliments, and feedback that on our recent trip to Mexico, we decided to capture more information on the process. Not surprising […]
If this is the first time you’ve seen some work from The Shift Creative, then you’re in for a treat. Whether you’ve been to the recent Yellow Conference or seen styling for Goop, you’ve probably seen something done by Alexis, founder and creative genius behind The Shift Creative. We loved chatting with her and immediately […]
When you come across timeless, effortless design, you know that there are brains behind the beauty of a space. And when we were introduced to Michelle over a simple tag on Instagram, that’s exactly what we found. The trendy touches mixed with modern, homey pieces is refreshing and tasteful. The neutrals flow from room to […]
Whether it’s hopping in the car heading up to the lake or out to the beach, a music playlist can either make or break the ride! So roll down the windows or pop the roof down and jam out to these upbeat tunes. Until we can hit the waves, this is what we’re listening to […]
Summer is officially here! Which means impromptu trips to the beach, hiking days, and long weekends are all in the horizon. There isn’t a better time to be ready for the endless opportunities and fun activities than now with the essentials for any of the above. We know you’ve got a water bottle, sunscreen, hiking […]
Sunset. Waves. Sand. Everyone loves the beach and summertime is the perfect time to host a beach picnic as the sun goes down over the water. After a long day soaking up the sun, what better way to end the day than gathering your closest friends, sipping some fun drinks, and laughing over snacks and […]
Whether you just moved into a brand new house, or you have been in a place for awhile, one of the hardest decisions to make is sometimes how to decorate the walls! It’s easier to decide where you want the couch in relation to the tv or complementary chairs. And it may even be simple […]
If you haven’t had a chance to shop our brand new Geometric Bowl Collection, you will want to take a look. This collection has been months in the making with our amazing artisan partners in Rwanda, and we are so excited to see what homes they find and how they are styled. Adding more geometric […]
It’s about that time of year. When week nights are filled with walks on the beach and weekends are spent laying out by the pool. Summer parties ensue and barbecues become a weekly ritual. And one thing on your mind in all of that is what drink you are going to be sipping on all […]
With the recent launch of our Plant Stand and Planters, we scoured Instagram for ladies who love the greens. We came across Grace Gulley, whose profile said “lots of plant.” That’s all it took to convince us that she needed a planter! Come to find out, she is the Founder of CYL Collective, a place […]
With each artisan collective that we partner with, there is a common bond that is represented within all of the communities: culture. All of these makers and creatives around the world weave and create crafts that are richly inspired by their culture. To highlight just how much, we wanted to share the story of a […]
When we launched the Catarina and Toluca Lumbar Pillows back in the fall, we knew they would be a hit. What we didn’t know was that they would sell out within just days of their launch! We really believe the design and handiwork of these pillows speak for themselves. As you might be familiar with […]
With the recent launch of our Plant Stand and Planter Collection earlier this spring, we headed to the beautiful Casa Joshua Tree in Joshua Tree for a photoshoot. Escaping the cityscape of LA, we were captivated with the desert scenery. We were inside for most of the day setting the scene for all of our shots, […]
There’s nothing like a good cocktail to ring in happy hour. What’s better? A unique mixer to stir up tasteful, one-of-a-kind drinks. We recently had the pleasure of teaming up with Owl’s Brew, an artisanal tea mixer brand, and the first ever tea “crafted for cocktails”. All of their mixers are fresh-brewed in micro-batches, and […]
Before we launched our Planters and Plant Stands, our team was chatting about where we wanted to photograph these brand new items from Cambodia. It wasn’t long before Casa Joshua Tree came to mind with it’s one-of-a-kind on brand style that would complement our Planters and Plant Stands. We called on our friend Lindsay, the owner […]
We are always inspired when we see unique designs and home decor. So when we came across Joanna on her Instagram, we couldn’t be more impressed. Her modern boho style mixed with one-of-a-kind pieces make for eye-catching designs that really stand out. We knew we had to chat with about her take on home decor, […]
We are all about going green. As in, decorating with plants! This spring, we are bringing the outside in with our brand new, artisan-made Plant Stand Collection from Cambodia, and complementary Planters made by LA local Molly from Pop Up Greens. After working with Molly, there were plenty of times we chatted about what kinds […]
Although we aren’t experiencing harsh winter weather here in Southern California, some of you have a few more months…
There are many aspects to decorating that make a house a home. One of those being wall hangings and decor! Whether it’s putting together a wall collage or decorating a shelf, one way to spruce up a space is framing iconic photos, family pictures, or art pieces. In a recent shoot, we turned to none […]
It is arguable that the most exciting part of a trip is the unexpected journey that unfolds while you are there. For us, the start of all of our collaborations begin without a clear path, just a few ideas and a big dream. While it is far from easy, there is a beauty in the collaboration […]
With the launch of our Mexican Textile Collection, we knew we needed to find a beautiful space to snap some shots of the beautiful handwoven rugs and pillows. It wasn’t long before the newly opened Parachute Hotel in Venice Beach came to mind! Their space is the pinnacle of style and taste as it holds […]
We are celebrating our first full year in operation, and what a journey it has been. To start, we could not have done it without our hard working artisans abroad, our devoted staff, and YOU! From the bottom of our hearts, we THANK YOU for a wonderful year. We hope Local + Lejos has inspired […]
While many decorative spaces make us “ooh” and “ah”, the work of one talented designer leaves us in complete awe. Anna Smith works beside her husband Austin as they have ventured to create the interior design brand, Annabode + Co., servicing lucky residences of Denver, CO. Ever since we came across her swoon worthy Instagram, we […]
Nothing rings in the holidays, or the New Year, like a good cocktail. If you need a little refreshing drink for party guests to sip on, we have two tasty whiskey drinks that will leave them guessing why they have never had one before. Start off the holiday season cheering to good times and the end […]
While this time of year can be hectic as you race from store to store searching for the perfect gift, it is also welcomed by gatherings of family and friends. As the month of December continues on, chances are you might be hosting a party or two. Even if there are different guests, it is […]
As holiday gifting is upon us, we here at Local + Lejos have put together the ultimate gifting guide that will be perfect for even the pickiest gift receiver. Below you will find our favorite products this holiday season from companies that offer timeless and high-quality flair for any celebration! Spiral Notebook from Marie Mae Company Starting […]
Our Artisan
Partners
Across the hills of Rwanda, groups of rural artisans are working to bring hope to their families through skillfully handcrafted goods. Azizi Life partners with over 52 independent groups- a total of over 745 artisan partners. Rising from the horrors of genocide, artisans from all backgrounds have joined together once again through their craft. Each artisan cooperative specializes in hand crafting products using specific techniques and raw materials. Azizi Life is honored to partner with these women and men, collaborating to connect makers, designers, and customers around the world.
Our
Products
We love serving your vision for beauty and meaning in the gifts you give, what you wear, and how you decorate. Azizi Life serves as a bridge, partnering with artisans and designers to offer high quality, ethically-sourced goods for life and gifting. Products are crafted by hand using local, natural, and renewable materials. Our modern and traditional collections include baskets, woven bowls, home décor, tabletop, woven jewelry, and bags. Azizi Life offers products to US customers from our warehouse in Spokane, Washington, as well as FOB sales directly from Rwanda.
Our
Mission
Azizi Life is a fair trade organization which partners with Rwandan artisans to bring beautifully designed, hand crafted goods to the world. As a not-for-profit organization, Azizi Life is dedicated to the wellbeing of our artisan partners and their families. In addition to opening economic opportunity through fair trade, Azizi Life invests in a range of community impact projects. Our Rwandan-led team facilitates adult literacy classes and offers other practical resources for personal, spiritual, and economic growth.
