our story
hi, i’m lee ruffel,
cape town born and bred, i live in noordhoek with my two fabulous children and my one-of-a-kind husband. the concept of w e e v came about through my ongoing basket obsession and my desire to give back in some way.
my poor husband has had to forever entertain my fetish and humour me as i slowly but surely fill our home with all things décor. i have a particular passion for woven goods, hence our name, w e e v.
a love of woven things
“weevil” was also a nickname for my husband as a young boy who couldn’t keep his hands out of things. the name w e e v is a playful fusion of “weave” and “lee”. a fun and creative way to represent both elements. and, as you may know, “weave” refers to all things woven and created by hand. the name seemed fitting in so many ways!
baskets on the walls, in the bedrooms, in the cupboards, outdoors and all over our home. needless to say, our home is a wonderful tribute to the many talented weavers out there.
i am forever captivated and so impressed by the incredible pieces i discover. the patterns, colours, designs and quality are astounding. it’s amazing to think that people can create such beauty from natural fibres and with their own bare hands.
adding natural beauty, function, and style to your home.
i decided i had to create a platform from which i could showcase and celebrate such incredible craftsmanship, experiment with my own ideas and designs, and at the same time, help support the hardworking weavers, their families and, hopefully, their communities.
compassion, gratitude, kindness and humility are all very important to me. what better way to bring these values into my life than by starting a small business with the firm goal of never losing sight of exactly where every special piece comes from. the time, effort and skill involved in making each item, and of acknowledging, supporting and uplifting the people responsible for creating them.
a business with a purpose
imagine if, for every item purchased, you knew that a portion of the proceeds went towards something needed by the community. it is my mission to slowly grow the business to allow me to get there.
i am so motivated to try to make a difference and, of course, to service my own selfish passion for baskets... well, all things woven!
i’m feeling so excited and inspired as we grow and learn, and as we work towards a long-time dream.