Love artisanal stuff? Made in the Cape is a great way to access lots of it at once, whether in person or online. Perched around the escalators in Claremont’s Cavendish Square, this niche market brings together Cape artisans to offer their wares once a month from Thursday through to Sunday. Click here for dates and enjoy the hunt for that thing that makes your heart sing
Check out 10 of our Made in the Cape favourites. Trust us, it wasn’t that easy to narrow things down…
Wooden bowtie
How’s this 3D wooden bowtie? Created by female carpenters from social enterprise Houtkappers in partnership with Learn to Earn, a favourite NGO of ours, it gets you doing good and looking good all at once. For classy oaks everywhere (enjoy that, bru, if you catch it). Watch the Houtkappers video here
How much? R300
Where? Shop this and other designs at houtkappers.com and have it delivered within 7-14 working days for R60, or between 2-3 working days for R115. Alternatively, find it at Made in the Cape market or the Watershed at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront
Shweshwe animal bibs
They look too good to mess on, but it doesn’t matter either way: this classic African fabric should camouflage most spills while brightening the day of many an exhausted parent. Available in assorted colours and animals
How much? R90
Where? Head to shweshwebaby.co.za and order online. Courier is available to anyone in South Africa for R99, or collect for free in Pinelands and Century City. Alternatively, find them at Made in the Cape market
Upcycled denim backpack
These fashion-forward upcycled denim backpacks are handmade by the Vivacious Eco Vixon. Owner Natasha once worked in the fashion industry and saw how much waste was tossed aside. After being retrenched, she called on her creative and sewing skills to create bags from upcycled material, denim and recycled PET bottles. All the bags are limited edition as she designs according to materials available
How much? R500
Where? Contact Natasha on 066 287 4260 or vivacious.eco.vixon@gmail.com to order. Or find her stall at Made in the Cape market
Wooden words
Yes, let’s all embrace our journeys, including the unheralded detours! Added bonus: these signs by Crafty Beach are made from recycled apple crates. Not bad on a bathroom wall for sparking off some deep thoughts while you are… engaged
How much? R35
Where? Shop these and more by calling Sanda on 081 270 7423 or email your order to craftybeach@gmail.com. You can also find them at Made in the Cape market
Simple
We love simplicity! Each necklace is individually handcrafted by SB Jewellery and sports a circle or square in silver or brass. Custom orders welcome
How much? R500
Where? Pop Sarah a direct message on Instagram, inbox her via Facebook Messenger or mail her at sarah@sbjewellery.co.za (seems that she’s rather keen to hear from you!) She personally delivers to Cape Town residents or couriers beyond the city. Alternatively, find at Made in the Cape market
Handmade birchwood clock
Yip, Houtkappers has made the top 10 again with its birchwood-face clock (with leather strap). This is an extremely popular number that often sells out online. BUT the good news is that if you just can’t wait, you can find one at the Made in the Cape market or the Houtkappers stall at the Watershed in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront
How much? R520
Where? Houtkappers stall at the Watershed in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront or Made in the Cape market
Heaven-scent
Air freshener just became cooler. Hang this scented wax tablet in your bathroom, keep it in your wardrobe or slip one in your suitcase when travelling. It also comes in candle form to keep the mozzies away
How much? R110 for the tablet and R125 for the candle
Where? Order from Beau de Jour by calling 083 489 7972, emailing beaudejour@outlook.com or inboxing this company’s Facebook page via Facebook Messenger. You can also find the tablets at Made in the Cape market
Protea glow light
Handmade in various heat-tolerant flower fabrics, these glow lights can be used with tealight candles or LED lights. Perfect for camouflaging those rather trashed candles you’d feel bad to throw away, and great clustered together or spaced in a row down the middle of a table
How much? R140
Where? Get to hellopretty.co.za and purchase these glow lights and more by TableArt. Allow 5-10 days for shipping at an additional R115 to all South African residents. Alternatively, you can collect for free in Fresnaye, Cape Town or find them at Made in the Cape
Upcycled skateboard rings
We know, we were amazed too when we heard these were birthed from old skateboards! Made by (you guessed it), social enterprise Houtkappers, the rings come in different sizes and designs, and are made by Houtkappers’ female carpenters
How much? R50 each
Where? Try on and buy these rings from the Houtkappers stall at the Watershed in the V&A Waterfront, or find them at Made in the Cape market
Cape floral ceramics
Meet these ceramics by KeniKen: unique in shape, simple in design, and sporting beauties of the Cape floral kingdom hand-drawn by artist Kendall. If you love pottery, you’ll be oh so happy with her teardrop jugs, skinny vases, plates and pourers for salad dressing or gravy
How much? From R55 – R220
Where? Call Kendall on 072 268 1404 or email your order to kendall@keniken.co.za. Once ordered, collect from her studio in Hout Bay or at Made in the Cape market, where you can also buy her little darlings ready made