Where function meets purpose. Handcrafted by skilled artisans in the Republic of Georgia, this versatile drawstring rucksack is designed for everyday adventures—from festivals and farmers markets to travel, hiking, beach days, and everything in between. Made with a durable cotton canvas exterior and a fully lined interior, this lightweight backpack is roomy enough for your daily essentials while remaining comfortable to carry. The easy drawstring closure keeps everything within reach, and the interior zippered pocket provides a secure spot for your phone, keys, or wallet. Available in two distinctive prints—School of Fish for a fun, coastal-inspired look or Camo for a timeless outdoor style—there’s a design to match every personality. Features: Handcrafted in the Republic of Georgia Durable cotton canvas exterior Fully lined interior Interior zippered pocket Comfortable rope shoulder straps Lightweight drawstring design Available in School of Fish and Camo More than just a bag, this rucksack represents the beauty of artisan craftsmanship and the dignity of meaningful work. It’s a piece you’ll reach for often—and feel good about carrying every time. Teze Handicrafts | Ethically handcrafted in the Republic of Georgia In the Azerbaijani language Teze means "new". We employ Azeri speaking women in the Republic of Georgia with the goal of providing new skills, making new creations, and seeing new life for them. Our ladies work part time for Teze so they can not only help their families financially but also be present in the home to care for their families. The alternative is to work long hours in a factory, a greenhouse or another country, leaving children and aging parents to fend for themselves while they're gone. Our ladies can either work in the Teze workspace three mornings a week and be home to make lunch for their families (the big meal of the day), or come to the workspace for supplies and then do the work at home. Located in the Republic of Georgia, just west of the Azerbaijani border, the majority of our artisans speak the Azerbaijani language. Teze means "new" in Azerbaijani. The e's in Teze are said "a" as in apple. Say "Ta-za". In 2017, with a pile of yarn and fabric, we invited several women to make aprons, socks and pillow covers. From that initial meeting, Teze has grown out of a kitchen and into its' own workshop. The women in our group come from various backgrounds. Whether they know how to knit, sew, felt, etc. or have no experience, together we share our knowledge, learn from one another, and acquire new skills. As much as possible we source materials from the community: used clothing, old books, and egg cartons. We love to take things that are old and make them new. While we are not Fair Trade certified, we do uphold fair trade principles such as transparency & accountability, fair payment, and good working conditions. Our artisans have the flexibility to work from home so they can care for their families. In this way, working for Teze offers new life to the ladies we employ.
