No inflated numbers, no borrowed credibility. Just the workshops we have visited, the makers we have watched at work, and the pieces we have lived with long enough to recommend without hesitation.
Straight answers about how we select pieces, what condition to expect, and how to care for handmade goods once they reach your home.
Our team visits workshops, flea markets and design studios in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban throughout the year. We look for honest materials, visible craftsmanship and makers who can tell us where their wood, clay or fibre comes from. If a piece is a replica of a known design or the maker cannot confirm the source of materials, we leave it out. Each listing notes who made the item and what to expect from the finish.
No. Ongeto Living works as a curated directory, so we do not handle payments or shipping. Every listing gives you the artisan's or studio's contact details and the best way to reach them. This keeps the relationship between you and the maker direct, and it means you can ask about custom sizes, lead times or specific finishes before committing. We update the catalogue each season, so if a maker has stopped taking orders, we note that on their page.
Reclaimed timber keeps its history, so you will see nail holes, slight colour variation and sometimes small cracks that have been stabilised during finishing. These are not defects; they are the reason the piece has character. Each listing describes the wood source and the finish used, and our maintenance notes explain how to treat minor scratches or water marks. If a maker sands a table down to look brand new, we usually do not feature it.
Handmade goods vary in price depending on size, material and the maker's process, so we give indicative ranges rather than fixed numbers. This helps you compare options without assuming a studio piece costs the same as a market stall find. The range reflects what we have seen at recent studio visits and markets, and we encourage you to confirm the current price directly with the artisan. We never take commission from listings, so our ranges are not inflated to benefit a seller.
Many of the makers we feature accept commissions, especially for furniture and ceramic tableware. The listing notes whether a studio is open to custom work and roughly how long a commission takes. For example, a reclaimed wood dining table usually needs six to ten weeks, while a set of glazed mugs might be ready in three. Contact the maker directly to discuss dimensions, finishes and budget, and always ask for a written quote before work begins.
Glazed ceramics are generally dishwasher safe, but hand washing is gentler on the glaze and prevents chipping over time. For woven textiles, keep them out of direct sunlight to avoid fading and vacuum gently rather than washing. Each product page includes care instructions specific to the material, and we add seasonal notes when makers recommend a particular oil or cleaning method. When in doubt, ask the artisan, they know their work better than anyone.
If you want to understand how we verify makers and keep the directory honest, read about our selection method. For specific questions about a piece you have seen, get in touch with our team and we will point you to the right person.
We don't collect scores for the sake of numbers. These notes come from people who bought through our seasonal catalogue and agreed to share how the pieces held up at home.
“The reclaimed timber dining table from Maboneng is the centrepiece of our flat. You can see the old nail holes and the grain tells a story. It arrived with a handwritten note from the maker, which felt personal. Two years on, it still looks better than anything from a chain store.”
“I was hesitant about buying ceramics online, but the studio visit notes and material details made the difference. The glazed bowl set from Woodstock arrived well packed and the colour is even richer in person. I use them every day, not just for guests.”
“The handwoven runner from Durban has a texture you can't see in photos. It's sturdy and the pattern is more subtle than expected, which works in our hallway. Shipping took a bit longer than usual, but the cooperative explained the process beforehand.”
“We don't work with mass-produced replicas. Every maker we list is visited in person, and we keep a record of their materials and process. That's the standard we hold ourselves to each season.”
— The Ongeto Living curation team