Buy a piece, commission one, or make one yourself.
Five ways to work with the Kitenge Arts bench, from a single souvenir to a wholesale order for a shop in another country.
Four steps, whatever you are ordering
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Tell us the idea
Send a photograph, a colour, a size, or just describe it. WhatsApp is easiest.
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We give you a price and a date
An honest figure and an honest timeline. If it cannot be made, we will say so.
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You approve, we begin
Larger pieces are started on a deposit. You get progress photographs as the work goes on.
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Collect it or we post it
Pay the balance when you are happy with it. Take it with you, or we ship it to your country.
Custom carving, painting and beadwork
Send us a photograph, a colour, a size, or just an idea described in a message. We will tell you honestly whether it can be made, what it will cost, and how long it will take.
You will receive progress photographs while the piece is being made. Larger commissions are taken on a deposit, with the balance paid when you approve the finished work.
- Portraits and custom canvas paintings
- Carved nameplates, wildlife and figure sculpture in mpingo
- Beadwork in your own colours, including wedding and gift sets
- Logo and brand pieces for lodges, tour companies and offices
Paint your own canvas at the springs
You do not need to be able to paint. Sit down, pick a subject, and one of our painters works beside you until it is finished. Around two to three hours, and you take the canvas home when it dries.
What is included
- Canvas, acrylic paints, brushes and an apron
- A painter sitting with you the whole time
- Paint from a photo on your phone, from Kilimanjaro, or from your imagination
- You keep the canvas. We wrap it for travel if you ask
Good to know
- Around two to three hours, at your own pace
- Individuals, couples, families and tour groups all welcome
- Groups of six or more, please message a day ahead so we set out enough easels
- Swim at the springs first, then paint. Most people prefer it that way
Reserve your place
Fill this in and it opens WhatsApp with your details written out. We will confirm and tell you the price.
Clothing cut to your measurements
Custom kitenge clothing and Zanzibar fabric pieces, sewn to fit rather than bought off a rail. Choose the cloth in the shop or send us a photograph of a design you want copied.
- Women's cultural dresses, wraps and headwraps
- Men's shirts and jackets in kitenge print
- Matching family and wedding-party sets
- Bags, cushion covers and accessories
Bulk orders for shops, lodges and galleries
We supply gift shops, safari lodges, hotels and retailers abroad. Repeat patterns can be produced in quantity while keeping the work handmade.
Tell us the pieces, the quantity and the date you need them, and we will send a quotation with sample photographs.
Getting your piece home safely
Carvings and framed canvases are wrapped for air travel. Canvases can be taken off the stretcher and rolled so they fit in hand luggage, useful if you have arrived at the springs with a day pack.
If you would rather not carry it, we arrange courier shipping. Cost depends on weight and destination, and we confirm it with you before anything is sent.
Tell us what you have in mind
Prices depend on size, material and detail. Send us the idea and we will come back with an honest figure and a timeline.