3 Friends
Looking for something unusual as a wedding gift or wedding favour? Visit 3 Friends .
It’s a comfortable place where you can kick back, relax and browse through gorgeous handcrafted goods, procured and selected for their uniqueness and meticulous attention to detail. We have a growing collection of artisans contributing their beautiful products to the website and we provide a place where individuals whose creations you might not normally get to see, have a chance to showcase their creativity and thereby generate additional income.
The 3friends concept began in KwaZulu Natal in January 2018 with three friends Tracy, Michelle and Fleur who were brought together by their love of art and crafting. As crafters ourselves, we recognize the value of handcrafted goods and the necessary personal involvement each crafter or artist has in the items he or she creates. We wanted to provide a place where artists and crafters could have access to the wider market of the internet and where people who want unusual, unique and individual gifts can find them. What makes us different from other websites selling handcrafted products? We do all the administration for our artisans, freeing them up to make their beautiful creations. From warehousing their creations, photographing and loading their products onto the website, sending off goods that have been purchased and liaising with customers, we do it all. Our 3friends website went live in October 2018.
3friends has a strong commitment to social upliftment. We encourage the growth of small businesses and want women, in particular, to have the opportunity to generate an income of their own. Charities are given free online shops in which to sell their goods. For example, eThembeni sells products made by people living with HIV and their families. They take custom orders and what we love are their heart keyrings that make really special wedding favours. In addition to charities, we have membership options for those from disadvantaged backgrounds (free online shops) to those that simply need a helping hand (a monthly fee based on sales). Bion Ndzira supports his family in Zimbabwe by making beaded goods. We love his beaded flowers – sunflowers, gerberas, proteas and pots of aloes – a great idea for a funky flower arrangement at a wedding or just a lovely way to say “thanks” to your bridesmaids. He takes custom orders and is very talented at turning your ideas into reality. You can’t ever go wrong giving your bridesmaids a custom made teddy bear with its own name! Nisbears makes stunning teddies from very tiny to larger ones.
We also stock some unusual and varied jewellery ranging from Tamara Fritella’s hand-crafted silver jewellery to upcycled jewellery by Trinkalicious and beaded jewellery by absolutelyafrica.
Flower girls and Pageboys are also catered for on our website. There are dolls from Zarah Dolls and Bella Rose Handmade and wooden toys from Pete’s Projects.
And, for the men, you may ask? Have a look at the gorgeous leather goods made by Vectis Leather and Sentifique Kreations. Both of these leather crafters will take on custom orders and you can personalize their leather goods with the names of your groomsmen!
If you’d like to place a custom order for any of the products sold on 3friends, please contact us on talktous@3friends.co.za.
If you are a crafter and would like to join us, please visit the link below to see the different membership options https://3friends.co.za/artisans-memberships/
