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 in the Shop – Trays & Dishes by Yusuke Tazawa
There’s something so special about Japanese woodworker Yusuke Tazawa’s finishes. With a background in furniture making, Yusuke uses nature as his inspiration, using textures and tones found in the forest and incorporating them into his work. Yusuke now crafts out of his studio named Thin
New at OEN Shop – Ceramics by Makoto Asebi
Japanese potter Makoto Asebi’s work consists of two tones; black and white. This simple approach has helped him craft a cohesive series of objects that focus heavily on the perfection of form and the qualities that make up a specific glaze. The flat matte white has a wonderful luster behind th
Maker Profile – Metalworker Ruka Kikuchi
Ruka Kikuchi, also known by his nickname Lue, makes utensils and accessories out of brass in the Japanese city of Setouchi. Born in 1983 in Soja, a city located in Okayama Prefecture, Ruka trained to be a metalworker under his father Masaaki Kikuchi in early 2000. After a six-year apprenticeship, he
New at OEN Shop – Perfect Instance Mobile by Tempo
One of my favourite pieces from Japanese workshop Tempo is the Perfect Instance mobile that comes in a blue and orange colour. This mobile is composed of two anodised aluminium plates. One has been placed horizontally and the other vertically so that the plates intersect. A metal bar separates the t
New at OEN Shop – Textured Dishes by Mushimegane Books
I have always admired the work of Japanese artist Misa Kumabuchi of Mushimegane Books. The concept for Misa’s project revolves around people and sounds, with the pots being made as a reflection of the earth’s surface and nature in general. This work has simplicity but at the same time a
New in the Shop – Woodwork by Akiko Ken Made
Anyone following our Instagram account would have seen our newest selection of work from Akiko Ken Made. I have always admired founders Akiko and Ken’s eye for timeless, minimalistic design. Their new piece titled ‘Paper Hotel’ is crafted from cherry wood and has a linoleum interio
New in the Shop – Mellow Vases by Hattern Studio
Hattern, meaning Happy Pattern, is a studio under the art direction of Jae Yang working between Seoul and Milan. The ‘Mellow Collection’ is a series of Acrylic objects that use both blurred and clear surfaces in a variety of colour gradients. The inspiration behind these objects is the work of 1
New in the Shop – Ebony RaysTray by Mori Kougei
Today we profile the wonderful RaysTray made from ebony wood by Mori Kougei. Handcrafted in Japan by Hiroyuki Mori, Mori Kougei uses the traditional skill of inlaying thin sheets of wood to create these striking functional objects for the home. The deep, dark colour of the ebony has hints of purple
New in the Shop – Horn Tableware by Hornvarefabrikken
Founded in 1935, Hornvarefabrikken – The Hornware Factory – was set up by Peter Husted, a craftsman and visionary with great ambitions. He designed and made many of the spoons and tableware that are still sold by Hornvarefabrikken today. In 2007 designer and maker Sara Brunn Buch acquired Hornva
The Art of Tsukiita – A Short Film on Japanese Studio Mori Kougei
It’s very difficult to showcase the hard work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes to craft exquisite works of art through imagery alone. Japanese woodworking studio Mori Kougei has multiple facets to their making process that are note-worthy. This new short film does a great job of break