🐘🦁🦓 Olive Wood Napkin Holders – Handcrafted in Kenya

Wildlife inspired • Ethically sourced • Naturally elegant

Elevate your table setting with a touch of African wilderness. These beautifully carved napkin holders are handcrafted from wild olive wood by skilled artisans in Kenya, each one featuring a distinct wildlife motif—elephant, rhino, lion, giraffe, zebra, or leopard. More than just functional tableware, they are miniature sculptures that celebrate the continent’s majestic wildlife and the artistry of its people.

10 x 6 x 2 cm

🌿 Crafted from Wild Olive Wood

• Sourced sustainably from pruned or naturally fallen branches, preserving Kenya’s native forests and biodiversity.
• Wild olivewood is prized for its rich, swirling grain and warm tones—each piece reveals its own natural fingerprint, making every holder truly one-of-a-kind.
• The wood is durable, smooth to the touch, and ages beautifully with use, developing a deeper patina over time.

🌳 Crafting an Olivewood Bowl: A Step-by-Step Journey

Olivewood is prized not only for its rich grain and earthy aroma but also for its durability and character. Turning it into a bowl blends tradition, craftsmanship, and patience.

The process is similar for other olivewood designs.

🪵 1. Selecting the Wood

• Harvested from pruned branches or fallen trees—never from live, healthy trunks.
• Chosen pieces are seasoned for months or even years to reduce cracking.

🔧 2. Rough Shaping

• The dried wood blank is mounted on a lathe.
• It’s turned into a rough bowl shape using gouges and chisels, gradually revealing the wood’s unique patterns.

🌀 3. Drying Again

• The rough bowl is often re-dried to stabilize its shape.
• This can take several more weeks to prevent warping.

✨ 4. Final Turning

• Back on the lathe, the bowl is refined into its final dimensions.
• Detail tools carve out the rim, base, and contours with precision.

🛠️ 5. Sanding & Smoothing

• Sanded progressively from coarse to ultra-fine grits.
• The goal: a silky, tactile finish that highlights the grain’s depth.

🌿 6. Oiling or Waxing

• Olive oil or food-safe wax is applied to seal and enhance the wood’s natural sheen.
• Some artisans buff it to a soft glow, others prefer a matte, rustic texture.

🖐️ 7. Final Touches

• Any imperfections are addressed, and the bowl is inspected for balance and finish.

Every olivewood bowl is like a thumbprint: distinct, storied, and quietly elegant.

🫒 Olivewood Care: Keep It Glowing for Years

Olivewood is stunning and durable, but it thrives with a little mindful maintenance. Whether it’s a bowl, board, or carving, here’s how to keep it looking rich and radiant.

🧼 Cleaning Basics

• Hand-wash only with warm water and mild soap.
• Avoid soaking or using dishwashers—heat and moisture can warp or crack the wood.
• Dry immediately with a soft towel to prevent swelling or dullness.

🪔 Conditioning the Wood

• Use food-safe mineral oil or beeswax to nourish and protect.
• Apply with a lint-free cloth in circular motions.
• Let it absorb overnight, then buff off any excess.
• Reapply every few months or when the wood looks dry.

🧃 Dealing with Odors or Stains

• Neutralize smells with lemon juice or a paste of baking soda and water.
• For deeper cleaning, a mix of white vinegar and water works well.
• Always rinse and dry thoroughly afterward.

🛠️ Scratch & Crack Repair

• Light scratches? Gently sand with fine-grit sandpaper (220–400).
• Follow up with oiling to restore the finish.
• For small cracks, oil may help rehydrate and seal the wood.

🌡️ Storage Tips

• Keep away from direct sunlight, extreme heat, or humidity swings.
• Store in a dry, stable environment to prevent warping or fading.

Olivewood ages beautifully when cared for—it deepens in color and gains character over time.

Add your The story of how your wild olivewood item was created row content here.