Sweetgrass Heritage

History is meticulously woven into the City of Charleston and the Lowcountry through coiled basketry.

As one of the oldest African crafts in America, coiled basket making appeared in South Carolina during the late 17th Century.  Many of the Gullah community consider the Sweetgrass baskets as actually sewn, not woven. “Gullah” is a lyrical word used to describe the linguistic and cultural heritage of local sea island inhabitants who descended from Africa.

The Gullah imprint on Charleston culture runs deep, from the soulful flavors of Lowcountry cuisine to the coils of artistry woven into each handcrafted sweetgrass basket.

The first baskets were used in the planting and harvesting of the coastal crops of rice and cotton on the many Lowcountry plantations in the area.

The basket making men and women of the Lowcountry have woven their way into our hearts and the iconic baskets have become sought-after objects of art.  This sweetgrass heirloom artwork has appeared in the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art.  This tradition has been passed from generation to generation. Sweetgrass Baskets are now coveted for their sentimental and historical value.

We wanted a way to celebrate the handicraft and cultural heritage of these artisans while encompassing the beauty and charm of the Lowcountry.

With this inspiration, Charleston Carry was created. Charleston Carry purses are adorned with sweetgrass handles hand sewn by artisans from the markets of the Lowcountry with 100% of the proceeds from the sweetgrass handles going directly to these artisans to continue to nurture this heirloom art form.