Local artisans creating spectacular ceramic products, detailed cakes, trendy neon signs and fabulous skin-loving soaps.
What’s better than buying something handmade? Umhlanga is full of creative craftsmen waiting to tell you their stories. We have highlighted a few to learn more about them and their fantastic products. #supportlocal.
Put a pinch of colour, creativity, and sunshine together, and you’ll get Brogan, a 25-year-old female entrepreneur, who worked incredibly hard to start her business, The Glow Co., in early 2019. She worked for her dad’s signage company, and it is there she recognised the need for neon signs; “However, at that time in South Africa, we only had the original glass neon tubing, which was a dying trade in our country,” Brogan says.
After much travelling around the world, she realised there was an incredible amount of neon signs everywhere, but she also noticed that it wasn’t glass tubing! After a lot of research, she imported the same materials and started The Glow Co., a LED neon flex company. “With this new skill, we were able to start creating custom neon signs for companies such as Mr Price and standard bank, also for homes, restaurants/bars and events (weddings, corporate parties, birthdays etc.).” The Glow Co. also has a fantastic range of 20+ standard neon signs that can be hired and an extensive range of mini neon signs that can be bought off their website. You can find their work in places like The Umhlanga Arch, Porters, The George, LIV bar & club.
With sugar, spice and everything nice, you will get oh-so-sweet Luanne; everyone calls her Lu. She is one very creative Mom who pursued her passion for baking to establish her Pretty Baked SA custom cake business!
She spent most of her adult life in corporate until around 2018, when she needed to be at home to help care for her father-in-law. “It was during this time that I found my passion for baking. I had never been overly keen on cooking or spending more time than necessary in the kitchen, but amazingly now I spend all my time happily in the kitchen,” Lu adds.
What started as a part-time hobby, making cakes for family and friends on odd occasions, has now turned into a buzzing business. Lu would spend all her spare time researching, learning, and trying new recipes, techniques, and ideas. Her passion, excitement and creativity come into play in the decorating process. Lu puts everything she has energetically into her cakes, from the planning to the execution. It is a love-made edible! The happiness her cakes bring to her clients inspires her to keep going and learning.
What do you get when two architects and multi-disciplinary creatives start a business? You get Kalki Ceramics. Meet Nindya and Nikhil Tricam; they utilised their expertise to bring these beautiful, locally made South African tiles to the market. With Nindya’s expertise as a ceramic artist and surface designer and Nikhil’s experience in high-end residential and hospitality design, the two couldn’t be a more perfect match.
Kalki Ceramics offers a wide variety of ceramic designs and custom colours. “Our Art Range puts forward an unprecedented approach to ceramic surface design,” Nindya says. The range comprises handmade tiles from clay extracted from the KwaZulu Natal Midlands! Each ceramic piece is individually inspected and finished with the signature glazes. The ceramic pieces form a rich, unique, and textured surface when assembled. “We are constantly developing new colours and designs and look forward to working with clients to bring unique, living surfaces to their spaces,” Nindya mentions. The versatility of the colours they offer can either create an element that demands attention in a space or a subtle, soft, and sensuous surface. You can find some of their projects at the Moki store in Umhlanga Rocks, MUZE in Gateway, and Apogee Cafe in Umhlanga.
The best way to have a little ‘me’ time is always with beautiful bath and body products. Finding a great soap or body butter for your skin might take time as you try everything, but I’ll give you the one you should have on your list. Meet Chloë, the brand creator of Self Society, locally handmade natural and unique bath and body products. Chloë started the brand mid-last year and has already seen tremendous support from locals in and around the Umhlanga area. Everything is made in small batches with luxurious skin-loving oils such as olive oil that nourish while they cleanse.
“We pride ourselves in making stunning hand-poured vegan soaps, body polishes, body butters and more. Our products not only smell divine but look good enough to eat! They always leave you wanting more,” It’s time to feel as beautiful as you are with Self Society.
Words: Kai Coates
Photos: Kalki – Julia Aramal
The Glow Co: Tyme Photography