FAQs

Because we believe dignity matters more than dependency. Non-profits rely on donors — and when donations stop, so does the income for the artisan families who depend on them. H.A.N.D. Collective is a social enterprise built on commerce, not charity. The artisans we work with earn fair wages because people genuinely want what they make — not because someone felt generous that month. That is a more honest, more sustainable, and more empowering model. We also commit a portion of every sale directly to artisan community development funds covering tools, education, and workspace improvements. You are not donating when you shop here — you are participating in an economy that sustains itself.

Handcrafted cannot be rushed — and we would not want it to be. Standard pieces typically take 3 to 4 weeks from order date to delivery. Custom and personalized pieces may take up to 5 weeks. We ship via UPS International from Kenya and DHL Express from the Philippines to the United States. You will receive a tracking number once your piece ships, and for custom orders we send you a photo of the finished piece before it leaves. If you need something by a specific date, contact us at orders@handcollective.org before ordering.

Shipping is included in all our product prices. The price you see on the product page is exactly what you pay — no shipping fees added at checkout. We believe in transparent, honest pricing with no surprises.

Yes — many of our products can be personalized. Maasai beaded bracelets and necklaces can be customized with a name or word of your choice. Wooden plaques can be carved with any Swahili word or phrase, including your family name. Animal carvings can have your family name engraved on the base. When ordering, use the customization field on the product page to enter your requested text. For Kenyan products you can also request your word or phrase in Swahili — our Kenya team will translate and craft it accordingly. For Philippine products we can incorporate text in Tagalog. Allow up to 5 weeks for custom orders.

Our Mangyan baskets and woven goods from the Philippines are made from nito vine — a rare forest vine found only in the mountains of Mindoro Island in the Philippines. Nito is strong, flexible when being woven, and rigid once set. It is sustainably harvested from the natural forest environment by the Mangyan artisans themselves. Our Kenyan sisal products are handwoven from sisal — a natural plant fiber harvested from agave plants grown across Kenya's highlands. Both materials are completely natural with no synthetic components.

Yes — by design and by tradition. Every material we use is natural: glass beads on cotton thread, sisal fiber, nito vine, ebony and rosewood from responsibly sourced trees, carabao horn, and clay. None of our products use plastic, synthetic materials, or factory processes. The communities we work with have lived sustainably for centuries — their craft methods predate the concept of sustainability by generations. Buying from H.A.N.D. Collective means choosing products that are good for the artisan, good for the environment, and built to last a lifetime.

H.A.N.D. Collective collects sales tax for customers in Utah at a rate of 7.19%. Customers in all other US states pay no sales tax. All prices already include shipping costs — the only possible additional charge is Utah sales tax for Utah customers.

Possibly. US Customs may charge import duties when your order arrives from Kenya or the Philippines. For most of our handmade artisan products these rates are low. UPS or DHL will contact you directly if any customs fees are due before delivery. If you have questions about duties before ordering contact us at orders@handcollective.org.

Our Kenyan products use a range of natural materials depending on the product type. Maasai beaded jewelry uses small glass beads hand-threaded on cotton or nylon thread — a tradition the Maasai have practiced for generations. Wooden carvings use ebony, rosewood, and hardwood sourced from Kenya. Sisal products are woven from natural sisal fiber. Clay bead necklaces use hand-painted clay beads separated by brass rings. Every material is natural and every product is made entirely by hand.

Once your order ships you will receive a tracking number by email. Kenyan products ship via UPS International — track at ups.com. Philippine products ship via DHL Express — track at dhl.com. For mixed orders containing items from both Kenya and the Philippines you will receive two separate tracking numbers. If your order shows no tracking movement for more than 7 days after shipping, contact us at orders@handcollective.org and we will investigate immediately.