About Us
"Every purchase uplifts communities and honors our planet through sustainable artistry"
In harmony with nature and with reverence for the artisans and communities that inspire us, we envision a world where sustainability meets sublime beauty. Every purchase tells a story of hope, renewal, and the enduring spirit of our planet's most exquisite creations. By choosing our products, our customers become custodians of a more conscious and compassionate lifestyle. One that honors the intricate web of life and the preservation of our planet's precious resources, while provides encouragement and brighter future to the families of artisans and village communities on the other, who are holding the fort of responsible human creativity in this fast paced world.
Our Hero
Made is a master sculptor from Peliatan Village, Gianyar, Bali, a custodian of a sacred legacy whispered through the ages. His craft is not merely a livelihood but a living testament to his ancestors, passed down since the golden era of the Peliatan Kingdom in the 19th century. His father had taught him the way his ancestors had carved from 125 years ago. He is one of the last true artisans of his kind—a keeper of an ancient craft.
​
Each sculpture he births is a masterpiece—a seamless dance between time-honored skill and contemporary expression. The form may be modern, but its spirit is timeless, an echo of an era long past. As a Balinese artisan, Made remains devoted to the sacred philosophy of Tri Hita Karana—the delicate harmony between divinity, humanity, and nature. He understands that his existence is intertwined with the natural world, the silent provider of shelter, sustenance, and inspiration. In reverence to Mother Earth, he carves with mindfulness, ensuring his hands leave no scars upon the land that nurtures him.
​
To breathe life into his creations, Made meticulously selects the finest wood—often teak or rain tree—revered for their strength, resilience, and pliability, perfect for the graceful intricacies he envisions. With a piece of charcoal, he sketches the first lines upon the wood, tracing the ethereal visage of a Janger dancer, her ornate headdress a coronet of Balinese grace. The first strokes of his kapak (axe) liberate the rough form from its wooden cocoon. Then, with a tatap (chisel) and pengutik (fine-pointed knife), he sculpts each curve and contour with unwavering precision—knowing that a single misstep could undo weeks of devotion.
​
The pinnacle of his artistry emerges in the headdress, where swirling floral motifs and sacred Balinese embellishments unfurl like whispered prayers. Shifting to finer chisels, he etches each petal and pattern with the care of a poet crafting verse. Satisfied, he polishes the surface using asam leaves, their natural fibers caressing the wood, revealing its innate elegance. Finally, he anoints the sculpture with a blend of candlenut oil and beeswax, massaging warmth and depth into its grain—eschewing synthetic gloss for the wisdom of centuries-old sustainability.
​
Yet, despite his unwavering devotion, the future of this ancestral craft is uncertain. The path of a woodcarver is fraught with hardship, its financial rewards a mere whisper compared to the roar of Bali’s fast-paced tourism industry. Young artisans, drawn to quicker prosperity, stray from the arduous patience of this labor of love. Sanubari, a sanctuary for cultural preservation, endeavors to safeguard these artistic roots, but the challenge looms large—without recognition and sustainable support, this exquisite heritage may one day fade into the shadows of memory.