designs portraying these township
houses. That’s where the idea of the
township images was born.” Today, a
decade later, Intshiba Crafts is mainly
known for their township designs
that are found on different ceramic
items such as espresso cups, mugs,
teapots, plates, salt and pepper pots,
sweet little meerkats, photo frames
and even wooden products such as
trays, wooden trays with the colourful
township pictures, that engage into
each other like pieces of a puzzle for
warm pots and canvasses with different
images. They recently unveiled their
new design; and what better way to
give a gift in a “cup of words”. The
new ceramics adorned with stylish
chosen words elegantly written on
colourful cups, pots, plates and cake
stands will be an asset to any modern
kitchen.
Nettie takes much pleasure from
working with her permanent staff of
21 women. They are indeed a very
close team; they laugh, create and
share together. The joy for these artists
to create something so unique from
the simple packaged clay to it taking
form in moulds, then taken out and
handled with care to ensure a smooth
surfaced item. The smoothly crafted
items are then baked in a kiln 1000
degrees for 9 hours. Then the creation
process continues at the hands of
two immensely talented ladies that
draw freehand pictures. From them
the process continues with it being
coloured in and with the finishing
touches being given it must be baked
again for 9 hours at 1200 degrees.
Then it’s time for the finished product
to be packed and distributed to the
various selling points, shops etc.
In 2010 Intshiba Crafts got a huge
contract during the soccer world cup.
They manufactured different themed
designs for each box in the stadium,
keeping in mind each province in
South Africa. This allowed them to buy
their first big kiln.
It certainly is no secret that Nettie
has a huge passion for work and
creating. She gets so excited about
new ideas and possible products. She
is always on the lookout for something
new to create and to continue growing.
Especially at festivals many people
return to her from previous encounters
and want to see new products. She
loves to keep the range exciting and
interesting. And colourful, the more
the better!
Outlet points include shops at
local airports, game reserves and
tourist attractions (such as Cape Point,
Cango Caves etc.) under the Tigers Eye
group. They also export to Namibia,
Botswana and Germany. A marketing
representative in Cape Town takes care
of publicity and EsSAy Gifts is so proud
for being associated with the passion
that keeps Nettie and her team
growing year after year. The factory
is open to the public and people are
invited to pay a visit to see how their
products take shape.
Their unique products can also be
viewed and ordered on their Facebook
page, so be sure to visit the page!
Nettie also had a coffee shop, but for
now she is content with the factory
and her restaurant, Pink Piano in
Bredasdorp, where the ceramics can
also be seen.
With the amount of love and
passion that Nettie and her team pour
into each and every carefully crafted
article, Intshiba Crafts has many
exciting years ahead. They are always
open for suggestions. There is always a
picture, it just needs to evolve; always
a seed waiting to be planted, and it
must just be nursed to grow into the
most beautiful flower. Together with
her amazing team, Nettie can do
anything to create the needed and
sought-after products. One big family
working together towards creating
even more. Her wish is to expand:
employ more people, produce more,
have a bigger factory, export more.
The only thing Nettie knows for
sure is that she will never stop doing
what she loves. She will never stop
working, stop creating. But you cannot
do it alone. You need someone to
lean on. Someone to inspire you.
Someone like her daughter Bernadett,
her grandchildren, Adri, NJ and Elrie
and her partner Jan. And all her dear
friends and workers, without this
dream would have been impossible to
fulfil!
Nettie believes in working hard,
but grant yourself time to relax. Then
get back to work and focus! And
something for keepsake: “’n Oop hand
kry terug, ‘n toe hand kry niks. Geen
geld en waarde nie. Net kennis en
liefde.”
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