Art that works
not just
Works of Art
Exquisitely handcrafted gifts that are authentic, unique, and gentle on the environment. Designed for daily use (as opposed to being purely decorative).
GIFTS FOR HIM, GIFTS FOR HER, GIFTS FOR YOU
ART THAT WORKS
NOT JUST
WORKS OF ART
GIFTS FOR HIM, GIFTS FOR HER, GIFTS FOR YOU
LATEST DESIGNS
Our “art that works” make treasured gifts. And whether that gift is for your loved one, your colleague, or yourself, it will continue giving pleasure in a way that no mass produced item can hope to match.
ABOUT
We are based in Stanford, South Africa (not the other one). Our Stanford is a quaint little village in the Western Cape, in the middle of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest and most diverse floral kingdom on earth.
We do our best to tread lightly on the earth, and to raise awareness about southern Africa’s amazing biological treasures. For example, we use mostly indigenous woods, some of which we found after a fire in the Cederberg; lots of bushveld woods that have been gifted to us; off-cuts that other woodworkers cannot use; and when we use rare woods we use only pieces that have been sourced legally. We never cut down live trees; we often use a plant-based resin; and we have invented pens made from galls that grow on alien invasive trees, as shown in this video by Beautiful News South Africa.
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FOUNTAIN PENS
SOLID WOOD PENS
SILK PENS
WOOD & RESIN PENS & PENCILS
CANOES & KAYAKS
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What is the difference between a kit, a kitless, a Unique, a bespoke, and a custom fountain pen?
Fountain pens made by individuals (as opposed to the big name companies such as Visconti and Mont Blanc) can be divided into two categories: kit pens and kitless pens (sometimes known as custom fountain pens.) Kit pens are wonderful as the supplier provides all the...
How to make a wooden strip-built canoe
At shows, people often stop in their tracks at the sight of a wooden strip-built canoe and can’t help but caress her smooth sides. These craft have the curvaceous lines of a Viking ship and the smoothness of stroking a dove’s wing. A single canoe weighs only 15kg –...
