Esther Oriku crafted a set of elegantly varied Bamileke stools, beautifully blending black and dark brown, fulfilling Cornelia & Fredy's vision for their outdoor space. What's your wish?
A request by a customer from Switzerland
Bamileke Stools in various sizes:
– 5 pcs. approx. D40-55 x W40-55 x H35-55, black and dark brown mixed, sizes mixed
(for outdoor use)
The Journey of Creating 2 custom made Bamileke Stools
Negotiation & Planning
Hallo Jasmin.
Am happy to provide you with an offer for your idea. The good measurements will be W55 and D45 and the thickness to be 5.cm. Also the best wood that we can use is the soft wood.,that is jacaranda .This will be done by curving and will t be one piece..All the measurements are in centimeters.
Thank you.
Esther
Dear Ester
That sounds perfect. is it possible to have two different measurements?
Thank you
Hallo Jasmin.
Thank you for your reply.
IYes its possible to have two sizes that's W50 and D40 H50 but thickness will remain the same for both sides
Esther
same thikness os fine 😉
Thank you
Hallo Jasmin.
Thank you for your reply. I have understood the measurements. The stools will be two pieces,and will be done by hand curving,.we will join at the bottom. It will take 540 hrs to finish the stools. I can give the prices of the stools.
Thank you.
Esther
That sound good.
Do you put a coat on stools at the end?
Hallo Jasmin
Thank you for your reply. I will apply furnish with stain on them so that they'll be almost the same colour as the sample . Would you like them to shine or not to shine
Thank you.
Esther
Hi Esther
I prefer not to shine.
I have just spoke to my client about the quantity. We only need 2 Stools. one in brown and one in black. 2 different sizes.
Thank you.
Jasmin
Hi Jasmin
Thank you for your reply. That's ok to make two sizes and the two colours, l have also given the prices for the two stools.
Thank you.
Esther
Hi Jasmin
Thank you for your reply. That's ok to make two sizes and two colours. I have also given the prices for the two stools.
Thank you.
Esther
Crafting Process
Artisan’s Progress Updates
Hello Jasmin
Thank you for your reply and confirmation of the order of the two ( 2no) stools.
I will start immediately and will send the pictures of the materials once I start
Thank you.
Esther
Dear Ester
Your welcome! I am looking forward to see some pictures.
Beste regards,
Jasmin
Dear Jasmin
Thank you for your reply. As soon as I start I will upload the pictures to you step by step.
Thank you .
Esther
I am so excited to see some pictours.
Have a nice day
Hallo Jasmin
Thank you for your reply and sorry for the delay of reply back. I have started the stools. The first one measurements are 40cm D and 45cm H. Also the stools have to diametions H and D. The second stool will be 50cm X 50cm Though there's a challenge of the material especially on the D 50cm.
I have uploaded pictures and videos and will keep on sending step by step.
Thank you.
Esther
Dear Ester
Thank you for the videos. It is so fascinating to be able to see into the production of the Bamilekes.
I am looking forward to see more.
greetings, Jasmin
Hello Jasmine
Thank you for your reply, l have started to shape the bamilekes..
I have uploaded the pictures and videos of the stool.
Thank you.
Esther
Dear Ester
Thank you for the pictures and video!
Greetings
Jasmin
Hallo Jasmin
Thank you for your reply.
I have attached pictures and videos of the stool in progress.
Thank you
Esther
Dear Esther
Thank you for including me in the process with the videos.
It looks great!
Greetings
Jasmin
Hallo Jasmin.
Thank you for your reply
The stool is on progress and have uploaded the pictures and videos.
Thank you.
Edther
Hi Ester,
It is looking good.
Thank you for the videos.
Hello Jasmine
Thank you for your reply.. The work is on the process. I have uploaded the video on the progress. I have attached (screenshot) the original picture of the sample to compare with the the one on progress especially the patterns if we are on the same track. .
Thank you.
Esther
Good morning Esther,
I hope you are doing well.
The bamileke looks great, you can continue like that. I am happy with the pattern.
Thank you,
Jasmin
Hallo Jasmin ,
Thank you for your reply. Am also happy that the pattern are ok. Am now st the stage of sanding and have uploaded videos and picture.
Thank you
Esther
Good morning Esther,
Thank you for the pictures and video. It is looking good. I am totally happy.
Hallo Jasmin
Thank you for your reply. Am almost finishing thesand paper then I started the furnish.
I have attached videos.
Thank you.
Esther
Hi Esther,
It looks great! thank you for the videos.
Hallo Jasmin
Thank you for your reply.
More video.
Thank you
Esther
Hi Esther,
I hope you are doing well.
When do you think will you be ready for shipping?
Hallo Jasmin
Thank you for your reply.
They will be ready by 27 / 04/ 2022..so the process of shipping will start from that date.
Thank you.
Esther
Dear Esther,
Thank you for the timeline.
Regards, Jasmin
Hallo Jasmin,
Thank you for your reply.Im very sorry for taking long to reply. Im doing the furnishing,leveling and moulding of the first stool.The second stool is on the process though I got a challenge of the shape of the log because the measurements were to be 50cm diameter by 50cm height now the diameter is coming to 48cm but the height remains to be 50cm.
I'm kindly requesting to know if your okay with the measurements being 50cm by 48cm.I have uploaded the pictures of the stools.
Since its hand curving stools we cannot expect a perfect circle like that of a machine but I'll try my best to come out with a good circle.
I'm sorry, I thought I could have finished by 27nth April but due to the challenges of the log of the big stool,I couldn't deliver on time.
Thank you,
Esther.
Hi Esther,
The measurements are OK. It doesn't has to be exact, we want that hand made look. So don't worry.
Best regards,
Jasmin
Hello Jasmine
Thank you for your reply. The stools are on the progress, the first one is on the furnish and the second on is on the first stage of burning. I have uploaded the pictures.
Thank you.
Esther
Hi Esther,
Thank you for the update. Will the red one stay red or will it become more brown?
Best regards,
Jasmin
Hallo Jasmin.
Thank you for your reply. The red stools was still on the process of furnishing that's why it's was looking red.
The stools are complete and they look the dark brown colour and the other stool is black.
Thank you.
Esther
Hi Esther,
They look Wonderfull...I love them.
I am so excited to have them soon.
Regards,
Jasmin
Hallo Jasmin.
Thank you for your reply. Am so happy for your respond .I will deliver and the process of shipping will start
Thank you.
Esther
Perfect, thank you!
Hallo Jasmin.
Thank you for your reply.
We are arranging to deliver and proceed for shipment.
Thank you
Esther
Great, thank you and I am looking forward to see them in real life.
Best regards, Jasmin
Hallo Jasmin
Thank you for your reply.
The process will start for shipment
Thank you
Esther
Thank you Esther!
Hello Jasmin,
My name is Noel Waiganjo, local operations manager, Nairobi. I'm currently reviewing the quality of the stools. The craftsmanship done is amazing but as you can see in the photos uploaded the stools are not perfectly circular. Esther has explained that this is because the stools are handmade and hence achieving a perfect circle is not easy. I've uploaded photos from different angles, kindly let us know what you think and we'll ship them as soon as possible.
The measurements used on stool 1 are: Diameter 48cm
Height 50cm
Stool 2: Diameter 40cm
Height 46cm
Regards
Noel
Hi Noel
The stools are perfect the way they are. We are looking for that handcrafted not symmetrical look.
Please ship them as soon as possible.
Best regards,
Jasmin
Hallo Jasmin
Thank you for your reply. I will deliver them to our local manager to make arrangements of shipment as soon as possible.
Thank you.
Esther
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON005973E-32029
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
226.83
|
| Cost of labour |
1053.16
|
| Cost of packaging |
32.4
|
| Cost of delivery to local operations manager |
40.51
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
1352.9
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
135.29
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
135.29
|
| Shipping costs from Kenya to Switzerland* |
0
|
| VAT (Switzerland)* |
0
|
| Total |
1623.48
|
*Shipping costs and VAT vary depending on your location.
