Our Story: A Journey of Resilience and Craft

This journey began with a woman who turned creativity into resilience and everyday materials into magic. When her journey as a mother began, she started crafting beaded cutlery at the kitchen table. But her hands, always drawn to the overlooked and ordinary, soon found wonder in something unexpected: ostrich eggshells.

These fragile fragments, often discarded, held more than just beauty. They were part of a quiet environmental problem. Left behind, broken or unhatched eggs could attract pests and spread bacteria, endangering the birds nearby. In the dusty corners of the ostrich farms and most communities, bits of waste piled up: plastic wrappers, butter lids, shards of wood, and bottle caps.

But instead of turning away, she turned these forgotten scraps into treasures. PVC pipes became bangles and serviette rings. Broken pallets found new life as candle holders and picture frames. Pregnant and undeterred, she set up stalls at craft markets, often on her own, and built something meaningful, one handmade piece at a time.

As a single mother, the road wasn’t easy. But she never let hardship dull her vision. Her values stayed rooted in every creation: sustainability, craftsmanship, and uniqueness. She went on to start workshops and offered work to other single parents, building not just a business but a community.

Crafted with Vision and Heart

The business is a testament to her vision. She meticulously crafts mosaic artworks from ostrich eggshells and abalone shells. Living by the sea provided another treasure: seashells, sun-bleached and time-tumbled, each one shaped by tide and time. This is a story of finding beauty where others see waste.

She built not just a business but a community of artisans, passing on her skills and creating opportunities for others. Every creation is a reflection of her journey and her commitment to using beautiful materials while minimizing environmental impact.

Our Commitment: A Legacy of Sustainability

This is her story. A story of resilience, reinvention, and salt-kissed imagination that lives in every piece she makes. When you choose a piece from Houtbay Treasures, you’re not just buying a handcrafted item; you’re supporting a local business, a community of artisans, and a vision for a more sustainable world—one unique treasure at a time.