Maker Profile – Frying Pan JIU
It’s not often you see products that bring handcrafted techniques into the field of industrial design. For this reason, I have been fascinated by the work of Osaka-based Fujita Metal and Tokyo design studio TENT. By fusing TENT’s passion for modern design and Fujita Metal’s high-qu
New in the Shop – Cutlery by Rieko Fujimoto
Japanese metalworker Rieko Fujimoto has been hard at work over the last six months producing some stunning new cutlery for the shop. We are so pleased! I am especially fond of the ‘Both Ends’ spoon that’s been handcrafted from brass and features a scoop on one end and a small spoon
New at OEN Shop – Cutlery by Lue Brass Industrial Now Available
We previously highlighted our new shipment arriving from Japanese metalworker Ruka Kikuchi of Lue Brass. His ‘Industrial Design’ collection has now come in to stock and we are shipping these out in 1-2 days from our studio. Ruka worked closely with a local metalworking studio in Japan to
New at OEN Shop – Metalwork by Japanese Artisan Tomomi Ishikawa
The appeal of functional ware for me is the time spent and connection shared with such necessary pieces of design. There’s also something fascinating about an object that melts away and becomes a lifelong companion. Tokyo-based metalworker Tomomi Ishikawa grabbed my attention with his characte
New in the Shop – Iron Teapots Handmade by IWACHU
Although I try not to make a distinction between new and old, it’s exciting to see those workshops that have stood the test of time and continue to use artisanal skills to produce beautiful objects that have become staples. In Morioka, Japan resides IWACHU, a family run workshop who have been prod
Honest Design – The KYSS Range by Tom Fereday & Kenny Yong-soo Son
On principle I’m sure most designers would love to be more open to honest ways of working. Unfortunately it’s not always up to the designer thanks to the larger companies standing behind such projects. Materials are often substituted for materials of lesser quality. Methods of constructi
New in the Shop – The Art of Monozukuri Expressed by Metalworkers SyuRo
On the face of it the Japanese word ‘Monozukuri’ means literally “to make things” in Japanese. But the relationship between human and object is much stronger than one might first assume. The appreciation for hand techniques, craftsmanship, and ethic are all wrapped in to this
Still and Purposeful – Song & Bora / Mo by Silversmith Alex O’Connor
The beautiful, minimalist work of UK-based silversmith Alex O’Conner. I was first drawn in by Alex’s ‘Kib and Skath’ capsule collection, a series of wearable sculptures that are part inspired by ancient forms. I thought this idea of incorporating craft in to our everyday live
Absolute Harmony – Metal Forms by Ulla & Martin Kaufmann
Personally my connection to jewellery as a craft is not that strong, but my fascination with form has led me to the work of Ulla and Martin Kaufmann, a husband and wife duo who have a keen sense for design, dedicating their metalworking career to the pursuit of only the essential in design. One of [
A Sensory Experience – Metal Vessels Crafted by British Artist Adi Toch
Some design offers more than just a visual experience. Adi Toch believes that metal vessels and containers are a unique method of communication, engaging and able to stimulate our senses. Experimenting with rounded metal vessels, which are both functional and sculptural, she looks to offer this sens
Oxidation & Patina – Slip Mirrors by Brooklyn Studio Kin & Company
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the different traits of materials that we use to craft from. Of course, glass has the wonderful ability of setting the opacity, making light shine through or refract, then we have ceramic or wood that brings through natural texture, and lastly metal, which
Timeless Creations – Metalwork by Maker Laurenz Stockner
Italian artist Laurenz Stockner sets out to create vessels that are both perfectly harmonious in shape and a representation of unspoiled natural beauty. He utilizes copper sourced from the Prettau mine, a mine known for having extremely valuable copper. Before shaping this copper into its final form
