Blog
A day at the Pietermaritzburg craft market
Our shop in Pietermaritzburg is full of pieces made within a day's drive. Every maker we stock lives and works in KwaZulu-Natal, from the Midlands to the coast. Come in and see for yourself.
Our newest decor range brings together wood, clay and beads in warm earthy tones. It was made over the winter by small studios who rarely sell outside their own towns. Each piece comes with the maker's name and a short note on how to care for it.
Warm textures
Clay from the Umgeni valley gives our ceramics their warm brown tone. Each piece is fired twice, once to harden it and again to set the glaze. Small flaws are part of the look. Wash with warm water and mild soap. Avoid sudden changes in temperature, and your bowls and mugs will serve you for many years.
Hand finishes
Our baskets are woven from grass and palm by the Inanda Weavers. The work is slow and careful, and every pattern follows a design passed down through families. Natural dyes are used where possible, which gives soft, earthy colours. Keep baskets out of damp corners, and let them dry in the shade if they get wet. They will stay strong and keep their shape.
Local materials
Handmade does not have to be fragile. Leather, wood and clay are all tougher than they look when they are made well. Read the care notes that come with each piece and follow them. Keep leather away from direct heat, wipe wood with a dry cloth, and store beadwork flat in a dry drawer. A little attention keeps your pieces looking good for years to come.
Local finds
Pietermaritzburg has a long habit of making things by hand, and the Saturday craft market shows it. Stalls are full of beadwork, baskets, soap and leather, all made within an hour or two of the city. Walk slowly, talk to the makers and ask how each piece is made. Our market notes list the stalls we visit most, and what to look for at each one.
Many of our makers started by selling at the market. Some learned from a parent or an aunt, others from a short course at the local college. Ubuhle Beads still strings every necklace by hand, and the team at Umgeni Clayworks fires its pots in small batches. When you buy a piece, you pay the person who made it. Choose a colour you love, then use it daily. Handmade things last longer when they are used and cared for. Care guides for baskets, ceramics and leather are on each product page.
