Rattan vs Wicker – What’s The Sharp Difference?

Materials & Production25/05/202201/08/2022

What is the difference between rattan and wicker? Can wicker baskets be made from seagrass? It seems many people including homeware buyers get confused with two terms. Keep reading for detailed explanations about rattan vs wicker and each one’s characteristics!

Differences between Rattan vs Wicker

Basically, rattan vs wicker cannot be compared to each other. They are two different things. Rattan is a natural material for making homewares and furniture. But in fact, wicker is a style of weaving, or a method of producing homewares from pliable plants.

Wicker is often labeled as rattan and willow materials. However, wicker can refer to many other natural and synthetic fibers. That’s also why we cannot compare whether rattan vs wicker is stronger.

Rattan vs wicker are often interchanged, but they don't refer to the same thing. — *Rattan vs wicker are often interchanged, but they don’t refer to the same thing.*

What is Wicker?

What is Wicker made from?

As we mentioned above, wicker is a style or a technique of how homewares and furniture are woven from pliable plant materials. Wicker refers to not only natural materials (natural wicker), but also synthetic fibers (synthetic wicker).

In Vietnam, several popular natural materials are water hyacinth, seagrass, rattan, bamboo and jute. Synthetic fibers include vinyl, resin, polyethylene, etc. Thus, baskets made from pliable fibers can be called wicker baskets.

Differences between Natural vs Synthetic Wicker?

Natural Wicker

Natural wicker not only has great strength and unique aesthetics; however, it should be just used indoors. Natural wicker products should be kept out of wet, high-humid places and not exposed to direct sunlight. Otherwise, they will fade its color, get moldy, or get too dry, brittle, break and crack.

>>> Explore natural wicker: Differences between Water hyacinth vs Seagrass

*Rattan vs wicker: A closer look to some natural wickers in Vietnam*

Synthetic Wicker

Synthetic wicker is the non-natural materials used for producing furniture and homewares, such as resin and poly rattan. Suppliers often try to mimic the look of rattan weave for synthetic wicker.

Synthetic wicker can be used both indoors and outdoors. That’s because this is known as an all-weather wicker — super durable, moisture-resistant, not fade, stain and crack in the sun and outdoor conditions. Synthetic wicker is also easy to wash and less expensive than natural wicker.

What is Rattan material?

Introduction

This is an 100% eco-friendly material. Rattan is a natural spiny, climbing palm that features long, tough and solid stems. Slender stems of rattan have a diameter of 1-5 cm, and can reach a length of about 30 meters. The stem is nearly uniform in thickness along its length.

Rattan is widely found in the tropical and subtropical rainforest areas like Australia, Southeast Asia, West Africa, the Pacific. South-East Asian nations are the top producers of rattan products and raw materials.

Rattan Qualities

Speaking of physical properties, rattan cane and skin have a beautiful golden color. Meanwhile, rattan cores may have different tones such as natural white and brown, depending on species and regions.

Rattan has long been famous for toughness and flexibility. This material is also lightweight, allowing users to handle and move with ease. With the durable, sturdy nature, rattan products can function well for at least 5 years and more.

*Rattan vs wicker: Rattan chairs & homewares are suitable for indoor use.*

An interesting fact is that rattan can withstand extreme conditions of humidity and temperature better than several pliable fibers (water hyacinth and seagrass).

That being said, rattan shouldn’t be used outdoors 24/7 because it is not totally water-proof and weather-resistant. If rattan products are put in the bathroom or other humid environment for so long, they’re likely to develop mold and reduce the bearing capacity of rattan.

Rattan Harvest & Processing

Rattan harvesting is very tiring and risky. As most rattans are found in wild forests, it takes local people a lot of time and effort to travel, harvest and transport rattan to processing sites.

Also, rattan is sometimes in short supply. Typically, Indonesia, the top exporter of rattan material and products, has limited the amount of rattan being harvested to address deforestation and overharvesting.

Rattan vs wicker: Why is rattan so expensive? – Here is why (Business Insider)

The book Rattan Terminologies also states that the processing and manufacturing are complicated. Also, local artisans have to carry out many intricate stages (oil curing, fumigating) to make rattan more durable and kill insects. Because of all these factors, the rattan’s price is often higher than other materials.

Rattan Components

Rattan cane

Rattan vs cane is also confusing to many. Cane is a harvested, cleaned rattan stem cleared from sheaths. Large diameter canes are commonly used for producing furniture, while small ones are used for making baskets, planters, trays, lampshades and other homewares.

Large diameter cane: A class of rattan canes with a diameter of 18mm and above
Small diameter cane: A class of rattan canes with a diameter of below 18mm

Rattan vs wicker: Illustration about rattan cane, peeled cane and skin

There are three types of rattan cane for making homewares and furniture. They include (1) Natural rattan cane – with the skin intact, (2) Scrubbed rattan cane – with the skin scrubbed to get rid of stains and deposits on the skin, and (3) Peeled rattan cane – with the skin peeled off.

Be informed that once removing their skin, rattan canes get a higher chance of getting moldy. The outer skin works as a protective layer of rattan cane.

Rattan core

To get rattan core and skin from rattan canes, processors divide the canes lengthwise either manually using a knife or by mechanical means.

Rattan cores exist in a range of shape and diameter. The diameters of the rattan cores range 2-10 mm in width.

In Vietnam, local artisans often use round core threads for weaving Vietnam wicker baskets, wicker dinner trays, indoor wicker planter, lampshades, wicker pet houses, baby toys, etc.

Rattan skin

Rattan skin (rattan peel) is extracted from rattan cane. The skin is flat or semi-circular with a width of 2-10mm. It is highly pliable, a bit shiny, durable, hard to damage and get mold.

It is usually used for weaving baskets, binding the joints of furniture and making rattan webbing for decorating furniture or other homewares. Rattan webbing (also called rattan cane webbing) is usually produced by machine, and this comes in many patterns.

Rattan vs wicker: Some popular patterns of rattan cane webbing

Rattan Homeware Categories

Rattan vs wicker are not only applied in making furniture, but a broad assortment in the home industry. Vietnamese artisans commonly produce the following typical ranges of rattan — Home Storage, Indoor Planters, Home Decor, Lampshades, Kitchen & Tableware, Pet Products, and Baby & Kids.

*Vietnam rattan vs wicker tray with handles*

*Wholesale wicker baskets with handles made from rattan*

*Vietnam wicker baskets bulk woven from rattan core*

*Wicker mirror round made from rattan core*

*Wicker plant stands indoor made from rattan canes*

*Woven lanterns for decor made from rattan vs wicker*

*Wicker pet house or white rattan cat dog house*

*Rattan magazine rack or magazine holders bulk*

*Rattan pendant shade only with black and natural color*

>> Figure out more insights: Rattan vs Wicker vs Cane vs Willow?

Should you take an interest in more natural rattan vs wicker home products, kindly contact us for tailored product collections or download 2022 Homeware Selections below!

Download Homeware Selection 2022

Water hyacinth vs Seagrass Homewares Differences

Water Hyacinth Vs Seagrass: Key Differences You Should Know

Materials & Production, Buying Tips18/05/202208/11/2022

Many people confuse water hyacinth with seagrass and use the terms interchangeably. They can all be considered as wicker, since wicker refers to a technique for making products woven from pliable plants. But specifically, water hyacinth vs seagrass are two different natural materials used in making homewares. Continue reading for more details!

Water hyacinth vs Seagrass Materials

Properties of water hyacinth vs seagrass

About physical properties, seagrass has a smaller diameter than water hyacinth. It looks more rustic and shiny with a greenish undertone which turns khaki or beige over time. Not just bigger than seagrass, water hyacinth stalks are softer with a warm golden brown outside. These two materials bring different tones and decor vibes.

Both water hyacinth vs seagrass are naturally biodegradable and non-toxic. They are pliable, flexible and durable for weaving, not as rigid as bamboo and rattan. For homewares production, they need to be well dried before the weaving stage.

Water hyacinth vs Seagrass properties — *Water hyacinth vs Seagrass woven homewares have different physical properties.*

Water hyacinth vs seagrass are not waterproof and weather-resistant, so the wicker homewares are just for indoor use. The range of moisture content for seagrass and water hyacinth products is often from 10% to 19%, if there is not any moisture standard provided from buyers.

Color fastness of water hyacinth vs seagrass

Can products made of these two materials be dyed or painted on? Our answer is yes, but there are some differences here. Thanks to their softer texture, water hyacinth stalks are better at color fastness than seagrass fibers.

Seagrass itself features a protective oil surface which is a bit shiny and smooth. It’s the reason for uneven color and even discoloration (color fading) in dyed seagrass products. What’s more, dark, bold dye colors work better on seagrass than light ones.

As regard to the painting method, the paint on seagrass is easier to peel off than that on water hyacinth.

A closer look to Water hyacinth vs Seagrass products dyed with black — *A closer look to Water hyacinth vs Seagrass baskets with natural and black-dyed colors.*

Material costs of water hyacinth vs seagrass

The material costs and qualities actually depend on specific areas. Aside from specialized areas of each material, the cost of weaving styles also contributes to final prices of products.

Thanks to the favorable climate conditions, seagrass has been cultivated widely along the Vietnamese coastal provinces. However, seagrass has better quality, lower cost and larger production volume in the Northern area, especially Thanh Hoa and Thai Binh province.

Meanwhile, water hyacinth is a popular aquatic plant spreading in water ponds and aquariums throughout Vietnam. This plant in the Southern areas commonly delivers better quality at a lower cost.

Water hyacinth vs Seagrass Weaves

Local skilled artisans develop from one material into many weaves. Depending on specific weaves, seagrass and water hyacinth may undergo simple or complicated processing. Each one has different appearances, physical properties, production costs, and lead time.

Wholesale seagrass baskets with twisted seagrass woven

6 Seagrass Popular Weaving Styles

• Split seagrass
• Twisted seagrass
• Braided seagrass
• Pressed seagrass
• Coiled seagrass
• Wrapped seagrass

Coiled seagrass is the most expensive weaving style. It creates a thick weave with a lot of seagrass and needs much effort from artisans.

9 Water Hyacinth Popular Weaving Styles

• Rolled weave
• Twisted weave
• Rice nut weave
• Arrow weave
• Braided weave
• Asterisk weave
• Hexagonal weave
• Zigzag weave
• Flat weave

Of all water hyacinth weaves, rolled weave costs the most because of its complex production process and more material usage. The most inexpensive weaves are Asterisk, Hexagon and Flat weave. Interestingly, some certain weaves of water hyacinth and seagrass can be combined in one product.

Water hyacinth vs Seagrass Applications

Both these two materials have been used to produce a wide range of homewares and home furnishings. Specifically, water hyacinth vs seagrass do a great job for some certain categories.

Storage & Organization (hampers, baskets, bins, cubes, boxes), Home Decor & Wall Decor (indoor planters, wall decor baskets, mirrors, vases), Lighting (lampshades, table lamps, pendant lights, lanterns), Kitchen & Dining (caddies, trays, placemats), Pet Accessories (pet beds, pet houses), Indoor Furnitures (stools, chairs, tables), as well as Travel & Outdoor Activities (handbags, picnic baskets).

*Wholesale seagrass baskets with black dyed seagrass*

*Square seagrass storage cubes also organic storage bin*

*Water hyacinth wicker trays with handles*

*Seagrass round mirror with decorative patterns*

*Cat dog house / Seagrass wicker dog bed*

Seagrass and water hyacinth are perfect as a decorative element in any space, no matter their specific functions. Highly durable and sturdy, a water hyacinth or seagrass homeware product can work well for 5 years and more, as long as it is given with proper care and protection.

Water hyacinth vs Seagrass Problems

Being crafted by hand, natural woven homewares are not exactly alike, offering each product unique characteristics. However, both water hyacinth vs seagrass products perhaps have several workmanship problems if not processed, woven and stored carefully.

Here’re common problems that you should know for inspection, especially pre-shipment inspection when working with wholesale home decor suppliers:

Stain mark: It can be a stain of dust or mold that develops if the products are kept in an environment with a high level of humidity. As you know, both water hyacinth vs seagrass can absorb moisture from the air well. Also, products may get stains from outside during the gluing stage.
Uncut weaving: Trimming is essential for both water hyacinth vs seagrass products. It is even compulsory for specific weaves such as braided seagrass, twisted seagrass, pressed seagrass and twisted water hyacinth.
Peeled paint: This commonly happens on seagrass products that have a rough surface, particularly those made with twisted, braided weaving styles.
Deformed: If woven products come along with iron frames, their sturdiness will be ensured, and there is little chance of deformation. Deformation often occurs for products without iron frames, and their weaves are not so thick and tight. Sometimes, not given proper care and storage before shipping, water hyacinth vs seagrass products can be deformed too.
Broken weaving: The broken weave of products might be the result of low-quality water hyacinth vs seagrass materials (not well sorted before) or careless weaving process.
Poor weaving: Poor weaving here means that the weaves are not formed tightly. That causes not-good looks and inconsistent quality, and need artisans to re-do the weaving for products.

*Common defects of wholesale homewares woven from water hyacinth vs seagrass*

Care Instructions of Water hyacinth vs Seagrass

As water hyacinth and seagrass shares some natural traits in common, below care instructions can be applied for products made of two materials.

Store: Store products in a dry, well-ventilated environment with a low level of humidity. That enables woven products to prevent from developing mold.
Clean: If there are stains or dust on water and seagrass products, wipe with a dry clean cloth, or wipe with a damp cloth then dry in the direct sunlight completely (about 2-3 days).

If you are a new or inexperienced buyer of natural woven homewares, the information of water hyacinth vs seagrass differences will be of some use to you. The insights help you communicate and work effectively with wholesale home decor suppliers in Vietnam.

>>> Explore more: Differences between Wicker vs Rattan vs Cane vs Willow

Should you take an interest in natural woven homewares, especially made from water hyacinth, seagrass, rattan and bamboo, kindly view our Homeware Selections 2022 for reference. Please feel free to contact us for further details and quotations!

Download Homeware Selections 2022

Top 8 weaving styles for Water hyacinth baskets

Top 9 Weaving Styles For Water Hyacinth Baskets Wholesale

Materials & Production26/03/202215/11/2022

Water Hyacinth Baskets

Water hyacinth baskets are made from a natural, fast-growing aquatic plant — water hyacinth which used to be a nuisance to waterways. For the past decade, it has become a sustainable resource for producing various homewares. From dried water hyacinth stalks, artisans delicately turn them into beautiful products with many weaving styles.

There are 8 weaving styles with water hyacinth that are commonly done by artisans in Vietnam. The names indicate how water hyacinth stalks are processed, or how they look after being woven. Generally, from the highest to the lowest production cost:

Rolled weave
Twisted weave
Rice nut weave
Arrow weave = Braided weave
Open asterisk = Open hexagon = Open zigzag = Close flat weave

Rolled Weave

Rolled weave has the highest production cost in comparison to other water hyacinth weaving styles.

To make rolled weave, artisans first roll water hyacinth stalks around a core (this core includes multiple seagrass strands) into a fine rope. These ropes are then linked together with/without a metal frame to create a product.

Owing to solid, thick features, the rolled weave of water hyacinth is greatly suitable for Storage & Organization items such as water hyacinth baskets, laundry hampers, laundry baskets, storage baskets, storage bins.

*Rolled weave bi-color water hyacinth basket*s

*Rolled weave bi-color water hyacinth laundry basket*

*Rolled weave black large water hyacinth basket*s

Twisted Weave

Generally, twisted weave gets the second-highest production cost. In Vietnam, artisans often twist 2 or 3 water hyacinth stalks together, then craft or sew into baskets. There are many diameters of twisted water hyacinth ropes.

Twisted weave looks much like rolled weave, but the sharp difference is its smaller rope diameter and a wider range of patterns for products.

Twisted water hyacinth ropes can be woven open or close; vertically or horizontally; in single, triple or quad weave. Water hyacinth products with twisted weave require a metal frame along to retain good shapes.

With various styles and shapes, twisted weave is widely applied in both Storage & Organization and Home Decor items such as water hyacinth baskets, indoor planters, decorative vases, trays, lampshades, etc.

Water hyacinth basket with twisted triple weave — *Water hyacinth baskets with twisted triple weave*

Open twisted weave water hyacinth basket with handles — *Open twisted weave water hyacinth baskets with handles*

*Set of twisted weave water hyacinth baskets*

Twisted weave water hyacinth planter with woven seagrass rim — *Twisted weave water hyacinth planter with seagrass rim*

*Open twisted weave water hyacinth mirror*

*Open twisted weave water hyacinth vase*

Rice Nut Weave

Rice nut weave is the third most expensive style of water hyacinth, following Rolled weave and Twisted weave.

As the name refers, two water hyacinth stalks are twinned around, which forms a weave looking like a rice nut. Rice nut weave is not so thick, but exceptionally durable thanks to its strong, tight construction in most cases.

Combined with a steel frame, water hyacinth baskets with rice nut weave will keep their even shape. The application of rice nut weave varies in woven storage baskets as well as diverse home decor wholesale such as indoor planters, trays, wall decor plates, table placemats, vases, lampshades, mirror frames as well as handbags.

*Rice nut weave water hyacinth storage boxes*

*Rice nut weave water hyacinth hamper for laundry*

*Rice nut weave water hyacinth pet bed with mattress*

Arrow Weave

For most water hyacinth products, Arrow weave often has the same cost as Braided weave.

Arrow weave is another traditional style that local artisans commonly apply for products. Artisans twin two water hyacinth stalks to create this weave that looks like an arrow or fishbone. You might see this weaving style as it’s very popular.

The arrow weave is coupled with metal frames when artisans use it for water hyacinth baskets, planters or organizer trays. This combination will give additional durability for products while keeping them from deforming over time.

Aside from wicker storage baskets, other home furnishings feature the arrow weave of water hyacinth. They include organization trays, indoor planters, table placemats, lampshades, handbags, shopping bags, mirror frames, etc.

*Water hyacinth baskets with arrow weave*

*Arrow weave water hyacinth tray for organization*

*Arrow weave bi-color water hyacinth storage cube*

*Arrow weave water hyacinth wicker mirror*

*Arrow weave water hyacinth wicker cat bed*

*Arrow weave natural water hyacinth placemat*

Braided Weave

Many people mistake braided weave as arrow weave as their appearance seems identical. However, they’re different in terms of weaving technique and patterns.

The name ‘Braided weave’ refers to the technique of braiding three or five water hyacinth stalks into a rope. Afterwards, these ropes are either woven or sewn into a product.

With this technique, obviously there are so many rope diameters (such as 10mm, 11mm, 15mm, 20mm) and styles of weaving: close/open, vertical/horizontal, single/double/triple weave.

Vietnamese artisans turn braided ropes into a product with or without a metal frame, it depends on the function. Braided weave is widely used in water hyacinth storage baskets, laundry hampers, laundry baskets, bins, handbags, shopping bags, indoor planters, rugs, home decor accents, etc.

*Braided weave water hyacinth baskets mix with seagrass*

*Braided weave water hyacinth planter / plant pot*

*Braided weave water hyacinth handbag checkered pattern*

Open Asterisk Weave

Open asterisk weave is made by weaving multiple water hyacinth stalks over a metal frame to create asterisk patterns with open holes.

They will allow products to get better ventilation and reduce the risk of developing mold. Metal frames are required for this weave, since without a metal frame, water hyacinth baskets will lose form, and cannot function well.

Products with open asterisk weave will be both practical and asthetic. This weaving style is suitable for water hyacinth baskets, storage bins, laundry hampers, storage trays, and home decor wholesale such as lampshades, lanterns.

*Open asterisk weave water hyacinth laundry basket*

*Open asterisk weave round water hyacinth basket*

*Open asterisk weave water hyacith lantern*

Open Hexagon Weave

Open hexagon weave is not as popular as above weaves, yet you might see it in several designs of water hyacinth baskets.

Vietnamese artisans turn water hyacinth into this weave by crossing multiple water hyacinth stalks, so it will create open hexagon holes. The holes are good for these items since they help water hyacinth baskets well-ventilated.

Similar to open asterisk weave, open hexagon weave needs to have a metal frame along to enforce products’ sturdiness. This weave is commonly an ideal option for producing water hyacinth baskets, storage bins, wicker laundry hampers, and decorative trays.

*Open hexagon weave water hyacinth storage cube*

*Open hexagon water hyacinth storage bins with handles*

*Open hexagon weave water hyacinth tray set*

Open Zigzag Weave

Open zigzag weave is created by weaving water hyacinth stalks up and down over a metal frame in a zigzag line.

Like two above open weaves, open zigzag weave is normally combined with a metal frame to retain good shapes for products, especially water hyacinth baskets and boxes.

The metal frame will enable water hyacinth products to get great sturdiness for storing. In Vietnam, artisans apply open zigzag weave for almost Home Storage & Organization products such as water hyacinth baskets, bins, storage cubes, boxes, trays, etc.

*Bone-shaped water hyacinth basket with open zigzag weave*

*Round open zigzag weave water hyacinth hamper*

Close Flat Weave

Here comes another lowest-priced weaving style – Close flat weave of water hyacinth.

This style features a plain weave which have water hyacinth stalks cross up and down each other. To add sturdiness for products, flat weave needs to have a metal frame.

With strong frames, close flat weave is often used for both Storage, Organization and Home Decor products. Particularly, water hyacinth storage baskets, storage bins, boxes, indoor planters.

Flat weave of water hyacinth baskets weaving styles — *Set of 3 water hyacinth baskets with flat weave*

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Water hyacinth baskets and home decor are for indoor uses only.
Each weave is suitable for certain product lines. The production time and cost differs between weaving styles.
There are some weaves that have the same lowest production costs. They include open asterisk weave, open hexagon weave, open zigzag weave and close flat weave.
The exact prices depend much on product specifications, not just on weaving styles.
A water hyacinth product can have mixed weaves such as: Twisted weave x Braided weave, Rice nut weave x Flat weave, Flat weave x Braided weave, Open asterisk weave x Arrow weave, etc.

*Water hyacinth three-compartment storage bin features arrow weave.*

For your reference, below is our Water Hyacinth Homeware Collection 2022 that includes a wide range of wicker homewares made from sustainable water hyacinth. Kindly download and send us request for quotations if you are interested!

Download Water Hyacinth Homeware Collection 2022

Wicker Laundry Hampers wholesale made in Vietnam

3 Natural Materials For Wicker Laundry Hampers Wholesale In Vietnam

Materials & Production19/03/202223/07/2022

Wicker laundry hampers (often called as laundry baskets) are not only practical for laundry storage, but also for decorating interiors. According to Export Data 2021 from Vietnam Customs, top 3 natural materials of exported homewares are water hyacinth, seagrass, rattan. They’re popularly used in producing laundry hampers, let’s see why they are good fits.

Water Hyacinth

Water hyacinth is among quality fibers for making homewares in general and wicker laundry hampers in particular. In 2021, water hyacinth exports had the largest volume amongst natural homewares exported from Vietnam. This is preferred by consumers in the U.S, Australia, Canada and many European markets.

Why is water hyacinth ideal for making wholesale hampers? Thanks to its physical property: Long, spongy stalks (stems). The dried stalks are super durable, with a unique honey brown. Water hyacinth hampers feature very strong structure for up to 60-liter storage and earthy tones to match any decor.

Here are several weaving styles of water hyacinth for durable, decorative wicker laundry hampers.

Rolled weave of Water-hyacinth

This weave is made by rolling water hyacinth around a core (it consists of multiple seagrass strands), in order to form a thick structure with a metal frame. Of all weaves of water hyacinth, it has the highest production cost because it requires producers to use a lot of materials. In addition, it takes weavers harder effort than other weaving styles, which means more labor cost.

The combination of materials: water hyacinth, seagrass and a metal frame will create a thick, tight and strong weave — truly suitable for wicker laundry hampers to store a large amount of clothing.

Twisted weave of Water-hyacinth

Twisted ropes are created by twisting 2-3 stalks of water hyacinth together. These ropes are super solid, so wicker laundry hampers will be practical storage solutions for a long time. During production, this twisted weave is coupled with a metal frame so that the hampers are strong and well-shaped enough.

*Twisted water hyacinth woven laundry hamper*

*Triple weave twisted water hyacinth laundry hamper*

*Twisted water hyacinth open weave laundry hamper*

Rice nut weave of Water-hyacinth

Rice nut weave is a traditional weaving style of twining water hyacinth stalks. Since the stalks are spongy and have a quite large diameter (larger than seagrass), they make each weave look like a rice nut.

Rice nut weave can be made without using a metal frame. Yet for wicker hampers, this weave is required to have a metal frame for added durability. It helps hampers become sturdier, and minimizes the chance of deformation due to the heavy load of clothing.

*Rice nut weave water hyacinth wicker laundry hamper*

Cat-shaped wicker hamper with rice nut weave water hyacinth — *Cat-shaped hamper with rice nut weave water hyacinth*

Rectangular hyacinth wicker laundry hamper with rice nut weave — *Rectangular hyacinth laundry hamper with rice nut weave*

Arrow weave of Water-hyacinth

Arrow weave is another traditional style that local artisans mainly apply for water hyacinth products, particularly wicker laundry hampers. Artisans create this weave with two water hyacinth stalks, and it looks like an arrow or fishbone.

You may see the arrow weave in many homewares such as table placemats or storage baskets, that’s very popular. Similar to rice nut weave, arrow weaves are combined with metal frames to make hampers durable and not likely to deform over time.

*Arrow weave water hyacinth round hamper with lid*

*Large laundry hamper with arrow weave water hyacinth*

*Arrow weave water hyacinth round hamper*

Other Open weaves of Water-hyacinth

Besides above styles, there are open weaves with water hyacinth stalks that are suitable for making wicker laundry hampers. They all need to be combined with a metal frame for sturdiness; otherwise, the hampers will deform due to carrying heavy loads of laundry. These weaves’ production cost are often the lowest.

Open weave *water hyacinth* wicker hamper with **ZIGZAG patterns**

Open weave water hyacinth laundry hamper also baskets with **HEXAGON patterns**

*Open weave water hyacinth hamper with **ASTERISK patterns** (PC: BestChoice Product)*

Seagrass

Seagrass is an eco-friendly material that has been popularly used for wicker hamper production in Vietnam. In 2021, seagrass product exports are the second Seagrass homewares are loved in international markets, especially European countries such as German, France, Spain and Sweden.

Thinner than water hyacinth, yet seagrass is highly durable and not easily worn out or broken. So rest assured, seagrass laundry hampers can function well for years and years. Its natural brown tone can easily fit in various styles such as Boho, Rustic, Farmhouse, Mid-century and Scandinavian.

Not all seagrass weaving styles are a good choice to wicker laundry hampers. Some are relevant, others are not. Below are some weaves of seagrass that can go with wholesale hampers.

Coiled weave of Seagrass

Coiling is the technique of making homewares using seagrass and plastic threads. This technique is suitable for producing wicker laundry hampers, as they will feature a thick, tight and strong structure without the use of metal frame.

Most noticeably, plastic threads not only join seagrass, but also create a variety of patterns. The more complex patterns, the higher wicker laundry hampers will cost. It’s because local artisans will have to use more kinds of plastic threads, and also put more effort into each item.

Coiled seagrass weave wicker laundry hamper — Coiled seagrass weave wicker laundry *hamper*

Yellow coiled seagrass wicker laundry hamper — Yellow coiled seagrass large wicker *hamper with lid*

Pink coiled seagrass wicker laundry hamper with cut-out handles — *Pink coiled seagrass laundry hamper with cut-out handles*

Braided weave of Seagrass

Multiple seagrass fibers are braided into a rope, then these ropes are woven into wicker laundry hampers. Not having a metal frame inside, the hampers still deliver high durability, though they can turn deformed over time.

Twisted weave of Seagrass

Twisted seagrass ropes have many different diameters. For making wicker laundry hampers, small-dia seagrass ropes are used for weaving over a metal frame. The plain weave with twisted seagrass helps to bring sturdiness for long-time storage and a rustic, earthy touch to the interiors of your customers.

*Twisted seagrass basket also small laundry hamper*

*Twisted seagrass basket also wicker laundry hamper*

Twisted seagrass wicker laundry hamper wholesale — *Twisted seagrass wicker laundry hamper (PC: World Market)*

Rattan

Rattan is a good option for producing wicker laundry hampers. The strong, relatively flexible nature of rattan is a big plus, as this gives hampers a high level of sturdiness, while adding natural aesthetics for decoration in the house. Rattan is getting popular in many markets such as European countries (Germany, UK), Australia, Korea, Japan.

Not pliable like seagrass and water hyacinth, rattan stem/cane is solid, and that’s why some rattan weaving styles requires more processing in production.

When regards to weaving laundry hampers, local producers can use either rattan core or rattan peel/bark. Below are popular weaving styles that have been commonly applied in Vietnam.

Coiled weave of Rattan core

Coiled weave of large-diameter rattan core — this is considered the most expensive weaving style among all rattan laundry hampers. That’s because this style requires a lot of weavers’ efforts and time. In addition, large strands of rattan core need some technical process before the weaving stage.

Coiled rattan tapered laundry hamper wholesale — *Coiled rattan tapered laundry hamper (PC: Rattan & Wicker)*

*Brown round rattan wicker laundry hamper (PC: Amara)*

White round rattan laundry hamper with lid — *White rattan laundry hamper with lid (PC: Kouboo)*

Large-dia Rattan Core weave

With rattan cane or large strands of rattan core (diameter: 4-5mm or 7-8mm), local artisans also curve and turn them into decorative wicker hampers. They can be made in either close or open weave. Like the above coiled weave of rattan, this style takes significant labor work for processing materials. Thus, the production time is normally longer.

*Rattan open weave wicker laundry hamper* *(3D Design by Artex Nam An)*

Rattan with coiled seagrass wicker laundry hamper — *Rattan with coiled seagrass laundry hamper also basket (3D Design by Artex Nam An)*

Small-dia Rattan Core weave

*Rattan core is split into small strands, then woven into wicker hampers*

For wicker hampers, local artisans in Vietnam also use small-diameter strands (2-3mm) that are split from rattan core. It is a traditional plain weaving style of twinning the strands — you might be familiar with many homeware items such as storage baskets, planters, and placemats.

These rattan strands are often coupled with a metal frame to make wicker laundry hampers get better shape, durability and long-lasting function.

*Round rattan wicker laundry hamper wholesale (PC: CDN)*

*Rattan wicker laundry hamper wholesale (PC: Kohmaison)*

*Rattan core weave wicker laundry hamper*

Rattan Peel weave

*Wicker laundry baskets with the plain weave of rattan peel*

Rattan peel (skin) is peeled off from the stem, then processed into long, thin, flat strands. They are woven in a traditional plain weave. In small diameter, rattan peel strands are normally cheaper and more flexible than rattan core ones. The plain weave with rattan peel should be combined with a metal frame for sturdy shapes and structure.

Rattan peel/skin weave round wicker laundry hamper wholesale — *Rattan peel/skin weave round laundry hamper (PC: Olli Ella)*

Rectangular rattan peel/skin weave wicker laundry hamper wholesale — *Rectangular rattan peel/skin weave laundry hamper*

Square rattan peel weave wicker laundry hamper wholesale — *Square rattan peel weave laundry hamper (PC: IKEA)*

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Three popular materials used to make hampers: water-hyacinth, seagrass, rattan. They are only for indoor uses, and should be separated with water as they will get moldy in the damp environment.
Not all weaving styles of a natural material are suitable for wicker laundry hampers. The production costs and lead time between weaves are different.
Weaving styles that take longer production time are Coiled Weave Of Rattan Core and Large-dia Rattan Core Weave due to their complicated process
You can ask for mixed materials and mix weaves for wicker laundry hampers.

Seagrass material home decor wholesale production process

Seagrass Material: 3 Highlights About Handicraft Production Process

Materials & Production29/12/202106/07/2022

As regarding to wicker homewares, seagrass material would be unmissable. Thanks to its physical properties and aesthetics, seagrass products are . Our article will provide answers to “Why are seagrasses preferred for housewares?” and “How long does it take to produce seagrass material products?”

Why is seagrass material preferred for housewares?

Seagrass (or sedge) grows well in South-East Asian coastal areas. In Vietnam, we mainly use cultivated seagrass from field areas which have previously been flooded by the sea. Seagrass is renowned for its great flexibility and durability. Well-dried seagrass looks smooth and has a light brown color with a greenish tint.

*Well-dried seagrass looks smooth and has a light brown color with a greenish tint.*

This fiber is the best material for making sleeping mats, bags, storage baskets, planters, trays, and seagrass home decor. Both seagrass and water hyacinth are flexible, but their looks are quite different: Seagrass is thin, smooth with light brown color while Water-Hyacinth is more spongy, porous with warm yellow brown.

*Seagrass has light brown color while Water Hyacinth gets warm honey yellow.*

Key things about the production process with seagrass material

The process from sourcing seagrass material to finishing home products is long, complicated and labor-intensive. It involves small/medium-scale growers, collectors and producing companies. Here, we highlight key points that you should know about the production process of seagrass homewares.

*Seagrass value chain in Thanh Hoa, Vietnam (Photo credit: Value Chains Study For Seagrass)*

Seagrass material is sourced from growers or collectors

Unlike plastics or automotive manufacturing, the production of seagrass homewares generally doesn’t operate in assembly lines. Seagrass is sourced from some specific areas, then collected, processed and sold to handicraft producing companies.

Phase 1: Harvest & Drying (Growers)

Seagrass is grown by farm households, mostly in the Northern & Central provinces of Vietnam (i.e. Thanh Hoa, Ninh Binh, Thai Binh). The quality of seagrass differs from province to province, even for the same species. Thanh Hoa is the major production area with the best quality seagrass — often distributed to Kim Son, Ninh Binh for producing handicrafts.

Seagrass growers need to cultivate, split and dry seagrass completely before selling it to collectors. — *Farmers are splitting seagrass into small strands after cultivating. (Photo credit: Ngason.vn)*

Seagrass harvesting requires hard work. Once harvested, split and sorted, seagrass is exposed to sunlight for 3-4 days. Well-dried seagrass strands are durable, soft, smooth with natural beautiful color. Without enough natural drying, seagrass will rot and its color darkens, which cannot be used for handicraft production.

Phase 2: Collecting & Processing (Collectors)

Dried seagrass are then sold to collectors/processors. They store this material and often use sulfur to prevent molding for a certain time, before selling seagrass to handicraft producers. Aside from split seagrass strands, collectors also sell semi-processed ropes (multiple strands twisted or braided).

*Seagrass growers can do processing to make twisted seagrass ropes before selling them to collectors.* *(Credit: baodansinh.vn)*

Seagrass material products are mainly made at farm household level

Weavers actually have two choices of working with handicraft producing companies. They can work as either employees (present at the factory), or sub-contractors. If weavers are sub-contractors, they will be provided with materials by the handicraft producing company and make products at home.

Most weavers are sub-contracts, so handicraft products are mainly made at farm household level. — *Most weavers are sub-contracts, so products are mainly made at farm household level. (Photo credit: Nam Dinh online)*

A large part of handicraft products are made at farm household level. Once sub-contractors complete weaving, handicraft producing companies will collect raw products and do quality checking, finishing afterwards.

Before the weaving stage, handicraft producing companies need to source materials from seagrass collectors/growers and sub-suppliers. Therefore, the lead time is quite long (40-70 days), and even one month longer if you place orders near Lunar New Year.

Due to the comflex process, the lead time of seagrass decor products is quite long, ranging from 40-70 days. — *Due to the comflex process, the lead time of seagrass decor products is quite long.*

Products hand-made from seagrass material vary slightly in size, shape and color. About coloring, seagrass material can be either dyed or painted.

Dyeing: Seagrass need to be dyed first before the weaving stage, but it is suitable for dyeing with dark colors, and the colors can fade over time.

Painting: Paint will be applied on seagrass products after they are woven. Seagrass can be painted with various colors; however, painting on seagrass can peel off quite easily.

Seagrass needs to be either dyed or painted if you want add colors on seagrass decor handicraft products. — *Seagrass can be dyed or painted if you want add colors on seagrass products.*

Discover Seagrass Storage & Home Decor Products

Products made from seagrass material need careful finishing and inspection.

Finishing is a crucial step in making handicrafts in general and seagrass products in particular. It consists of trimming, cleaning, gluing (to make products well-shaped and mold-free) and shaping.

For exportation, the acceptable moisture content of seagrass products is 18-22%. Seagrass products need to avoid defects such as stain marks, uncut weaving, peeled paint, deformed, broken weaving and poor weaving.

A Quality Control is testing moisture content on seagrass placemats at our factory. — *Mr. Hong, QC Specialist is testing moisture content on seagrass placemats at our factory.*

For specific markets such as the USA, Australia, and some European countries, fumigation is required for seagrass products with the aim of removing pests which may appear in transit.

Hope this article helps you know about the handicraft production process in Vietnam. It would be useful when you start to source seagrass products from Vietnam and communicate better with wholesale home decor suppliers.

Difference-rattan-vs-wicker-cane-willow-Feature-600x390

Rattan vs Wicker, Cane, Willow: Here is the difference between 4 popular terms

Materials & Production18/11/202106/07/2022

Rattan furniture and wicker furniture are the same? Wicker is just all about woven baskets? What are the differences between wicker, rattan, cane and willow? This article will clear the issue around these terms ‘rattan vs wicker’ and help you get updated about each characteristic. Now get started!

Rattan vs wicker: They are not the same

Rattan and wicker are two terms that have been frequently used interchangeably for so long. They are quite confusing. However, rattan vs wicker are not the same. In fact, rattan is a material while wicker refers to a technique of weaving.

What is rattan?

Rattan is a palm that grows well in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australasia, especially South and Southeast Asia in which Indonesia is the main area for rattan production. An interesting fact is that rattan grows faster than trees, as well as it is easier to harvest and transport than timber.

Rattan is a fast-growing, renewable palm that grows in the tropical regions.
(Photo credit: Danviet.vn) — *Rattan is a fast-growing, renewable palm that grows in the tropical regions.*
*(Photo credit: Danviet.vn)*

The majority of rattan is collected in the forest. For harvesting conveniently, rattan is also planted carefully in the own garden of local people. In Vietnam, rattan grown in the garden delivers better quality because it is provided with proper care. Therefore, its price is higher in comparison with rattan growing naturally in the forest.

Unlike bamboo which is hollow and unable to bend, rattan has a solid stem — light, durable and relatively flexible. Rattan is used for many purposes such as food, furniture, shelter, and handicraft. In handicraft, rattan appears in various homeware products with extra sturdiness.

*Unlike bamboo, rattan is solid, strong, durable and relatively flexible.*

What is wicker?

Wicker is a method or technique for making products woven from pliable plant materials. Today, wickerwork is made using natural materials like rattan, willow, reed, seagrass, water hyacinth, jute and bamboo, and also synthetic fibers such as vinyl and resin. In other words, seagrass baskets or rattan baskets are all regarded as wicker baskets.

Natural wicker is known for its strength, durability as well as its beauty and natural comfort. Materials can be the whole thickness of plants (willow switches), or just the cores of rattan (rattan core strands). Made from plants, natural wicker is meant for indoor uses only. It also requires special care and maintenance to keep it in good shape.

Rattan vs wicker are different. Materials used for natural wicker are diverse, not just rattan. — *Rattan vs wicker are different. Materials used for natural wicker are diverse, not just rattan*.

Wicker can also be made from synthetic materials, or a combination. Synthetic fibers get nearly the same look as natural fibers, especially rattan and willow. The synthetic wickers are durable and weather resistant, so they are often preferred for outdoor use (“all-weather wicker”).

>>> See more: The New Wicker Collection – Home & Garden Trends 2022

Cane is actually from the rattan plant

Rattan cane

Cane is actually from the rattan plant. The word “cane” means the stem-section of plants, so the “rattan cane” is the stem of the rattan plant. Rattan canes (also called stems or poles) with large diameters are mainly used in making furniture.

*Rattan vs wicker: Rattan is a natural material with many applications in homewares*

Rattan cane strands

In manufacturing, the term “cane” also refers to the strands of rattan’s outer skin or peel. Cane strands are smooth, flat, light, and mold-resistant. Cane is extremely strong and durable for making baskets or wrapping the joints of rattan furniture. This is commonly woven into webbing (also called rattan cane webbing) that functions well as decorative additions for homeware items such as woven baskets, trays, furniture.

*The table is decorated with rattan vs wicker cane webbing on its surface.*

Rattan core

Rattan stems are also peeled to get rattan cores. These cores will then be split into long round strands for weaving products such as storage baskets, indoor planters, lampshades, or mirror frames. Thin rattan core strands have a matt finish and very strong, sturdy nature, but not as smooth, soft and flexible as rattan peel or willow.

*Rattan vs wicker: Rattan is a material with many parts used for making products*

Rattan and Willow are two different materials

Willow is found mostly on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere (it doesn’t grow in Vietnam). Willow is a popular option for making homewares, especially baskets thanks to its superb strength, flexibility and durability.

Rattan vs Willow

As regards characteristics, willow features a more soft and flexible nature than rattan, which is easier to be bent and woven. Rattan needs to be steamed before being twisted and bent. Therefore, labor costs for making willow products are much lower.

*Rattan strands are rough and matt, while willow has a glossy look.*

The look of rattan and willow are quite similar, but you will see differences here. In terms of finish, rattan core strands are quite rough and matt; meanwhile, willow looks more smooth and glossy. It’s because rattan strands used for basketry are already split from rattan cores, so they don’t include shiny peels. In contrast, the whole willow branches are used for weaving, without being peeled.

Hope this article will be helpful for you when choosing suitable materials for your products and communicate efficiently with homeware suppliers or manufacturers. To sum up, rattan vs wicker are not about just one thing, rattan is a material, wicker refers to a weaving technique. Cane is from the rattan plant. Rattan and willow are two different materials with each typical characteristic.

3 Things You Should Know To Buy Wholesale Seagrass Baskets From Vietnam

3 Helpful Things You Should Know To Buy Wholesale Seagrass Baskets From Vietnam

Buying Tips05/06/202118/07/2022

Wholesale seagrass baskets are growing in popularity across the globe. It’s because sustainability is going top of priority of consumers, so natural fibers are preferred. This article will serve as a guideline about how to source seagrass baskets from Vietnam. Get started now!

Seagrass For Production

Seagrass (or sedge) is a pliable plant that grows naturally in South-East Asian coastal areas. For making woven baskets, we mainly use cultivated seagrass from field areas which have previously been flooded by the sea.

Nga Son is known for best-quality seagrass & largest areas — *Natural seagrass field in Nga Son, Thanh Hoa—the area famous for best-quality seagrass & largest areas (Source: smithsonianmag)*

Seagrass characteristics

Once harvested and dried, seagrass looks smooth, silky, quite soft and has a light brown color. Seagrass is known for its great plasticity and durability—making it most favorite for producing baskets.

Seagrass, like other natural fibers, is very hygroscopic (able to absorb water well). Thus, the baskets need to be stored under dry, cool conditions. For exportation, the required moisture content of seagrass baskets ranges from 18% to 22%.

Coloring & weaving styles

Wholesale seagrass products can be decorated by either dyeing or painting. About dyeing, seagrass is more suitable with dark colors, and they might fade over time. Meanwhile, seagrass can be painted with various colors; however, paints on seagrass can peel off quite easily.

Vietnamese weavers also apply different techniques of weaving into the production process. Here are 6 popular seagrass weaving styles for baskets as well as other home products.

6 seagrass weaving styles for wholesale seagrass baskets made in Vietnam — *6 popular seagrass weaving styles for wholesale storage baskets*

Seagrass material cost

In Northern & Central Vietnam, seagrass has lower material cost than other materials (water hyacinth, rattan). That’s because these areas have the largest seagrass production capacity. If your customers prefer wholesale woven baskets, kindly consider seagrass — reasonable prices and high quality!

The costs are different among seagrass weaving styles. Normally, the highest one is Coiled seagrass & Wrapped seagrass while Split seagrass has the lowest cost.

In Northern Vietnam, seagrass has lower costs than rattan and water hyacinth. — *In Northern & Central Vietnam, seagrass is sourced at the lower costs than rattan and water hyacinth.*

Wholesale Seagrass Baskets’ Quality

Are wholesale seagrass baskets safe?

→ Yes, seagrass baskets are surely safe for both consumers & the environment. Seagrass is fast-growing, sustainable and biodegradable. Also, there are almost no chemical uses in the production process. The use of gluing is required to make some kinds of baskets well-shaped and mold-free, and this glue is totally safe for consumers’ uses.

Are wholesale seagrass baskets waterproof & weather resistant?

→ No. For indoor uses only. Not given enough protection from water, seagrass baskets will lose their shape and develop mold. In case seagrass products get wet, let’s dry them completely in the sunlight or using drying machines, then store them in warehouses equipped with dehumidifiers.

*Wholesale seagrass baskets can hold and carry up to 25 kg.*

How durable are wholesale seagrass baskets?

→ Strong, stylish and sustainable—that’s how we would describe wholesale seagrass baskets. Seagrass delivers a high level of durability and plasticity for long-time storage. Based on our testing, seagrass storage baskets can load up to 25-30kg.

Are wholesale seagrass baskets likely to get deformed?

→ It depends on specific seagrass weaving styles. Some styles should have iron frames to not lose form, such as Twisted seagrass, Split seagrass, Pressed seagrass, Braided seagrass. Others (Coiled seagrass & Wrapped seagrass) make baskets sturdy and well-shaped, without the use of iron frames.

Wholesale seagrass basket features iron frames to make it well-shaped. — *The twisted seagrass basket features iron frames to make it well-shaped.*

What To Know Before Buying Wholesale Seagrass Baskets

3.1. Find & Verify seagrass basket manufacturers

Seagrass thrives most in Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Seagrass of Vietnam is not only used for domestic production, but also exported to neighboring Asian countries. Therefore, you should look for manufacturers based in this region.

If you would like high-quality seagrass, we suggest working with suppliers that source this material from Nga Son (Thanh Hoa, Vietnam). Seagrass of Nga Son is estimated as of the best quality, with even stem’s diameter, great plasticity and beautiful natural brown.

*Vietnam has various manufacturers specializing in wholesale seagrass baskets.*

Verifying suppliers is also of great importance. For online research, consider their websites, Alibaba pages, or rely on supplier directory sites (Yellowpages) or trade data sites (Panjiva, Import Genius). Have a read for some tips to find trusted wholesale home decor suppliers!

3.2. Choose the right time to order from Vietnam

Seagrass can be affected by constant heavy rain in flood seasons. Floods happen from October to December in Central Vietnam, which will cause bad-quality or rotten seagrass—cannot be used for production. It is the reason why there might be an insufficient supply of seagrass during these months.

It is also crucial to pick the right time to order wholesale seagrass baskets from Vietnam. The right order time enables you to get better prices (thanks to lower seagrass costs), shorter production time and more convenient delivery as well.

Factories often outsource dried seagrass and other accessories for production. — *Bad-quality or rotten seagrass caused by flood cannot be used for production.*

3.3. Quotations & Samples from wholesale seagrass basket suppliers

Not only sourcing dried seagrass, producing companies also need to purchase other materials and accessories from sub-suppliers. In Vietnam, a large part of seagrass baskets are made by local weavers (villagers), then collected and finished by producing companies. The process is relatively long and complex, so it takes a few days for suppliers to calculate and update you (buyers) on exact prices.

Wholesale Seagrass Baskets - Coiled Seagrass and Pressed Seagrass — *Coiled Seagrass has the longest lead time while the time for making Pressed Seagrass is shortest.*

As to seagrass basket samples, production time (lead time) depends on shapes, sizes, designs and weaving styles. The more add-on accessories and patterns, the longer production time. Among all seagrass weaving styles:

Pressed Seagrass has the shortest lead time (commonly used in foldable belly baskets).
Coiled Seagrass takes weavers the longest time to complete.

Hope that our information is of some help to you in purchasing seagrass baskets from Vietnam and working with Vietnamese suppliers.

reason buy wholesale storage baskets natural materials

Reasons To Buy Wholesale Storage Baskets Made From Natural Materials

Blog18/05/202118/07/2022

In recent years, the market for storage baskets is growing. The growth for storage basket markets is driven by consumers’ concern about wellness and their interest in sustainability. That’s why the demand for storage baskets made from natural materials is increasingly strong. Let’s discover the potentials for buying natural wholesale storage baskets!

1. Product description

1.1. Function

Baskets with natural materials function well as an effective storage solution. Whether it’s the office or any room in the home, eco-friendly storage baskets are suitable to store the essentials and keep the space organized.

natural fibers storage baskets — *Storage baskets made from natural fibers add natural vibes to the living space*

Besides storage purposes, baskets add a decorative accent into the interior. Made from natural fibers, those baskets give a natural feel and easily fit into any existing decor style.

1.2. Material

Wholesale storage baskets can be woven from a variety of natural materials. Typical fibers which can be listed are rattan, water hyacinth, bamboo, seagrass, paper, wood, cotton, corn husks, cane, banana leaf, palm leaf and so on.

Particularly, local manufacturers often combine natural fibers with other materials such as metal, wood and recycled plastics to make storage baskets more durable.

natural storage baskets with strong structures — *Natural fibers are combined with metal frames to create strong structures for baskets*

1.3. Design

Using natural materials, storage baskets still vary in many colors, weaving styles, shapes, structures and dimensions. Commonly, wholesale storage baskets should come in several basic shapes (round, rectangular, square) to maximize storage space for many items in the home.

Due to the limited living space, many householders prefer nesting, stackable, collapsible and flat-pack designs that are easily stored when not in use (CBI-EU, 2021). These designs also will allow you to gain lower shipping costs for your business.

storage baskets with collapsible designs — *Collapsible designs, easily stored when not in use, are gaining in popularity.*

1.4. Durability

Natural materials are gaining in popularity for wholesale storage baskets since these wild fibers deliver great durability for daily uses. However, as natural materials are not water-resistant, cleaning natural storage baskets is harder than those made of artificial fibers.

>>> Discover more Storage baskets made from natural materials

2. Why choose natural wholesale storage baskets to sell?

2.1. Current demand

european imports basketry — *Most natural baskets that EU imports are produced in developing countries*

The market for baskets has grown steadily in recent years. According to CBI-EU, European imports of wholesale storage baskets rose from €467 million to €552 million between 2015 and 2019, with an average yearly growth of 4.3%. Importantly, about 80% of the basketry that Europe imports is made from natural materials.

Currently, especially during the Coronavirus pandemic, the demands for storage products are still on the increase because people are spending more time at home (HomeWorld Business®, 2020). Let’s dive into specific trends offering opportunities for natural storage baskets!

2.2. Trends that offer opportunities for natural storage baskets

2.2.1. Wellness

Due to increasing urbanisation, ageing populations and the COVID-19 crisis, consumers are more aware of improving their physical and mental health. They are more focused on maintaining a tidy home with storage baskets, enabling them to de-stress and relax.

storage baskets interior space — *Consumers are more aware of improving their physical and mental health.*

As they put their priority on their mental and physical wellness, consumers increasingly prefer maintaining connection with nature. That’s why they want to bring natural materials and natural colors into their homes.

2.2.2. Sustainability

With the impacts of COVID-19, the sustainability trend continues to grow and shape how people consume. More and more people are striving towards a better world and trying to produce less waste into the environment. Renewable natural materials is mainly prefered for their homeware products that include storage baskets. Therefore, making baskets from natural fibers with a proper production process allows baskets to be environmentally and socially sustainable.

natural materials for storage baskets wholesale — *Renewable natural materials is prefered for storage baskets*

Natural materials can be woven into many styles, shapes and size of storage baskets no matter their purposes. They are non-toxic, durable and diverse in neutral color variations, fitting in consumers’ interest in sustainability and wellness. This actively promotes the impressive market growth for storage baskets made from natural materials.

the neutral accents 2021 homeware collection 01

The Neutral Accents – 2021 Homeware Collection brings calm to homes

New Collection08/05/202109/11/2022

In today’s modern, fast-paced world, people get overwhelmed and stressed easily. The home is a place to de-stress, relax and feel comfortable. In uncertain times, people put focus on the home, find peace in simplicity from natural materials and neutral, earthy tones (Trend Bible, 2021).

We’re excited to introduce you to our newest homeware collection The Neutral Accents 2021 with new color trends, which will benefit both your business and your customers.

Neutral colors

Our homeware products are carefully crafted from natural fibers that were dried by our artisans. That’s why they have neutral color variations and give a warm, calm feel to homes. In addition, when it comes to neutral colors, they can fit perfectly into any décor and existing textures.

Original designs

Here comes our distinctive products that were originally designed by our R&D team. We make full use of trend research, manufacturing knowledge and customer feedback in product design and development. Particularly, our new collection is based on customer insights, so we ensure that these products cater to the market demands.

Cost-effective solutions

In our new collection, we take full advantage of our manufacturing strengths and focused materials. Therefore, we are committed to shorter production time and value-driven prices for your orders. Especially with foldable designs, our products also enable you to greatly reduce shipping costs.

If you are also looking for new vibes of homewares, let’s give a try to our new collection The Neutral Accents 2021 to discover interior color trends in 2021 and distinctive products to your brand!

6 Seagrass Weaving Styles For Eco-friendly Storage Baskets Wholesale

Materials & Production13/04/202117/11/2022

Seagrass is among top natural materials used for producing homewares in Vietnam. This fiber is mainly applied for Vietnam wicker baskets bulk with various shapes, sizes and styles. Below are top 6 popular seagrass weaving styles for eco-friendly storage baskets wholesale made by local skillful artisans.

Seagrass Weaving Style

Firstly, an important thing you should know is that Vietnamese producers name weaving styles mainly based on how seagrass is processed before weaving, rather than how the weaving patterns look like. For example, ‘split seagrass’ indicates the type of weaving that uses thin seagrass strands (after being split). These strands are woven in plain style with spokes/stakes being the strong foundation.

We recommend that if you work with Vietnam wholesale home decor vendors about seagrass home goods wholesale, you should use these terms below, which will likely be more understood. You can learn more about Seagrass for weaving in Vietnam. Now dive deep one by one!

Split Seagrass

This is one of the most basic and traditional styles, commonly called ‘coi che‘ (pronounced as /koi che/) in Vietnamese. The seagrass plant is split into long thin strands by machine, then these strands are woven directly into a product, no need for the twisting, braiding, or wrapping process.

Not having iron frames, split seagrass is not as thick as coiled seagrass, and it can deform over time, especially when put inside with heavy items.

That being said, natural storage baskets with split seagrass are lightweight, soft and tough enough for storage purposes.

To create patterns for baskets, producers need to dye seagrass strands first before the weaving step. Another way that producers decorate products is to draw or paint — commonly applied to make colored woven baskets and wall decor plates.

Generally, split seagrass has the lowest cost among all seagrass weaving styles since it is mostly plain weave and does not require much labor cost.

*Rectangular seagrass storage baskets with handles*

*Round seagrass storage baskets with handles*

*Wholesale seagrass baskets with split seagrass*

Twisted Seagrass

In Vietnam, we called this style ‘coi se‘ (pronouced as /koi se/). Twisted seagrass is a sub-material created by twisting multiple strands. These ropes are then woven to make wholesale seagrass baskets.

Aside from many rope diameters, there are various styles with twisted seagrass such as close weave, open weave, plain weave, checkered weave.

Durable and relatively tough, twisted seagrass is used in weaving baskets, and also seagrass storage cubes, carpets, rugs, trays, planters, etc.

Not all split seagrass baskets require iron frames, but iron frames will help baskets get sturdy and in good shape. Wholesale seagrass baskets without iron frames can get deformed, though still durable for storing from small odds-and-ends, toys to books, clothes, fruits, etc.

About price, twisted seagrass is quoted at higher price than split seagrass because local weavers need to spend more time on trimming for products.

*Twisted seagrass for weaving Vietnamese baskets*

*Hanging seagrass wall baskets with twisted seagrass*

Braided Seagrass

Braided seagrass, or plaited seagrass, is named based on how seagrass strands are processed. In Vietnam, it is called ‘coi doc‘ (pronounced as /’koi zoc/).

A braided seagrass rope is formed by braiding multiple seagrass strands, embracing a rustic touch. Like twisted seagrass, producers weave or sew these ropes neatly to create wholesale seagrass baskets.

There are also different diameters and styles of braided seagrass ropes (three-braid or five-braid). With this sub-material, wholesale home decor vendors often make baskets without using iron frames. Therefore, the production time is shorter.

Braided seagrass is mainly for producing baskets, as well as planters, rugs, placemats, trays, lamshapes and shopping bags.

*Shallow seagrass basket with braided seagrass weaving style*

*Vietnamese baskets with braided seagrass weaving style*

*Vietnam wicker baskets made of braided seagrass*

Many braided seagrass baskets are in natural brown color. Local weavers can decorate these baskets by dyeing or painting on. However, with the quite rough finish, the paint on braided seagrass is likely to peel off, particularly if the products aren’t packaged carefully.

Coiled Seagrass

Coiling is another popular technique for making wholesale seagrass baskets. This is called ‘coi xien‘ (pronounced /koi sien/) in Vietnam.

Local artisans coil multiple thin seagrass strands with colored plastic strings.

Coiled seagrass doesn’t require iron frames. Yet the style makes a neat, thick, sturdy weave and contributes to the good shape for long-time storage, even when the baskets carry heavy items inside.

You may find coiled seagrass in laundry baskets, storage baskets, baby moses baskets, indoor planters, trays, pet baskets and wall decor plates.

In order to create patterns with this seagrass weaving style, artisans need to use different plastic strings. Moreover, they need to pay close attention to every weave: They coil seagrass and also calculate when to change the colors of plastic strings. The larger baskets are, the clear patterns show.

*White seagrass baskets for plants with coiled seagrass weaving style*

Of all seagrass weaving styles, coiled seagrass commonly has the highest price due to material and labor cost. Weavers use lots of seagrass to form thickness, and multiple plastic strings to make patterns. It also takes more time and effort to do with large dimensions, irregular shapes or complicated patterns.

*Wholesale round coiled seagrass basket with lid*

*Coiled seagrass hamper basket with lid*

*Seagrass tall basket with coiled seagrass*

Pressed Seagrass

Another popular seagrass weaving style is pressed or flat seagrass. This style is called ‘coi dap‘ in Vietnam, pronounced as /koi ‘zap/.

Once seagrass is flattened by machine to become soft and flat, seagrass strands are woven into wholesale seagrass baskets.

However, these woven baskets may get deformed over time or when they carry a heavy load of items inside because they don’t come along with iron frames.

Soft, lightweight and super durable, pressed seagrass is a good fit to make various products: storage baskets, indoor planters, placemats, shopping bags, etc. A classic sample of pressed seagrass is seagrass belly baskets — can be folded in half when not in use or during transit.

You might see pressed seagrass baskets with natural color as they’re very popular. Having a smooth finish, wholesale seagrass baskets can be decorated by many methods including dyeing, painting, or attaching some pom-pom, leather, etc.

*Wholesale decorative baskets made of pressed seagrass*

*Black seagrass hamper with lid with pressed seagrass*

*Wholesale seagrass baskets with colored pompom*

Wrapped Seagrass

Wrapped seagrass is a technique of wrapping plastic strings around seagrass into a rope, then weaving or linking these ropes neatly into products. This weave grows in popularity and is similar to the processing method of ‘twisted seagrass’ or ‘braided seagrass’.

With wrapped seagrass, local artisans often use rattan frames instead of iron frames.

Wrapped seagrass has almost identical look and features with coiled seagrass in terms of thickness and durability. The two seagrass weaving styles are commonly at equally high prices because artisans use lots of seagrass and plastic. However, there are limited choices of patterns for baskets or other homewares.

An alternative for plastic is cotton strings — thinner, more eco-friendly and still tough. Seagrass wrapped with cotton strings add a more delicate, elegant texture to Vietnam wicker baskets.

*Vietnamese baskets also table basket with wrapped seagrass*

*Wicker baskets with wrapped seagrass weaving style*

Thanks to its strong structure, wrapped seagrass is applied in many housewares, particularly storage baskets, indoor planters, laundry hampers, and pet houses. One benefit of buying these products is their shorter production time than other seagrass weaving styles of wicker basket bulk.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Six weaving styles for seagrass wicker baskets include Split seagrass, Twisted seagrass, Braided seagrass, Coiled seagrass, Pressed seagrass, and Wrapped seagrass.
Not all seagrass weaving styles are suitable for all product ranges. Each weaving style has different production cost and times.
The exact prices of a seagrass product need to be re-checked as they depend on not only weaving styles, but also sizes, shapes, patterns, frames, and accessories.
In most cases, seagrass weaving styles aren’t mixed together in one product. Seagrass weaves can often be mixed with water hyacinth weaves.

*Wholesale storage baskets made of wrapped seagrass weaving style*

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