Original handicraft designs

Explore the original handicraft designs created in my studio. Here you will find jewelry, concrete clocks with gobbledygook, floral decorations, candles - all handmade from natural materials.

Click on the project of your choice to see examples of the work and learn more about the technique used to make it.

MATERIALS

Reindeer weevil - natural lichen used in decorations

Reindeer weevil

Although commonly referred to as moss, hornwort is a lichen - a symbiosis of fungus and algae. In the wild, it provides food for reindeer, hence its name.

The hornwort, which I use in my original craft projects, comes from Scandinavian countries. It is dyed and stabilized (that is, immersed in a glycerine solution), so it retains the appearance and softness of a living plant for many years. It also reacts to air humidity, It also reacts to air humidity, and can even be an indicator of it - when it is too low, it becomes hard and dry to the touch.

Architectural concrete

In my work I use a concrete called architectural concrete. It is a high-quality mixture with very fine aggregate, additionally reinforced with fiberglass, which increases its strength and minimizes the risk of cracks in the finished pieces. Its consistency makes it possible to cast precise details, and vessels made of architectural concrete can have very thin walls. I happened to make pieces with a diameter of only about 5 mm. Concrete can be colored with a special mineral dye - I use black and white, which allows to obtain various shades of gray from light, almost white to dark graphite.

Reindeer weevil stained architectural concrete clock
Brass, alpaca, silver - metals for jewelry making

Metals

I mainly use colored metals for my jewelry - brass, alpaca (a not-so-popular type of brass with a warm silver tone), and sometimes copper. I also sometimes turn to silver when I'm fulfilling a custom order or I care about a soft metal. 

More and more often I use alpaca in my work, which I appreciate for its durability and resistance. It works great for flat molds - it allows you to get a thin, yet durable surface.

Wax

For the candles I use only natural beeswax - an ecological and renewable material with exceptional properties. It burns cleanly, ionizes and purifies the air, and gives a warm, soft light. The candles are biodegradable, free of toxins and artificial additives, and burn longer than those made of paraffin or soy wax, enjoying the natural honey scent.

Beeswax candle in a concrete vessel
Plants for kokedama and kusamono - monstera, asparagus, ivy

Plants

For kokedama and kusamono I choose plants with a shallow root system - they are the basis of these decorative compositions. In kokedama I often use asparagus, monstera or ivy, and in kusamono I reach for plants such as ferns, rockery or small succulents. I also create customized compositions - tailored to the place and occasion.

Visit me at the studio

On a daily basis, you can meet me in an atmospheric studio in Mokotow. There you will find author's handicraft projects, which I do not show in the online store - jewelry in single copies, clocks with unusual coloring or unique decorative forms. This is also the only place where you can buy kusamono - it is not available online.

I'll be happy to tell you about individual items, techniques for making them or caring for plant compositions. See you there!

PS Sometimes I'm carried around the city - if you want to be sure I'll be at the studio, call in advance.

Handicraft workshop in Warsaw - jewelry, clocks, kokedama, kusamono, workshops

Workshop

Address: Belgian 6, Warsaw

Contact

Joanna Komorowska
joanna@komorowska.com
+48 605 158 111