Stephanie Bentum is another innovative designer that does magic with felt and this is what she is all about…

“Krafthaus was created in 1995 with the same concept as NOK by creating a platform for designers/creators/creative beings/like minded people etc.  I went out and found interior projects and then worked with a “team” to suit the concept.  It was only in 2006, when I lost both my parents in one month that I realized I also needed to do something creative with my “own” hands that Krafthaus Accessories was started in collaboration with NOK, which then became the new platform.”

In 2009 this new collaboration was launched at Design Indaba, and there is no going back since then!

Based in Somerset West in the Western Cape, Stephanie’s “kraft” is making felted yarn and material and then using this to create wonderfully textural accessories and custom products. “The designs are aimed at both the interior and fashion industry.  The manufacturing is very labour intensive but simple.  With the use of water and soap the felting is done and the rest involves sewing and knitting.”

Because of her background in ballet and theater she describes her products as “a little larger that life” and although felting is an ancient craft her products aim to “reflect a modern and contemporary society”.

For me the handbags with oversized knit stitches made from felted yarn and that wonderful “Shongololo” carpet (above) clearly  demonstrates the fact that we have local designers of international quality.

Her assistant has been her gardener for 3 years and she trained him to do all the felting material.  She also assisted him in completing his basic computer literacy course in 2008, clearly illustrating Stephanie’s commitment in having a positive impact in the lives of those around her.

Being proudly South African she tries to support the local industry as much as possible.  Everything, from the labour, subcontractors, wool and cushion inners are all local.  The only thing she imports is the dye, which is certified environmentally safe, as is the organic soap that is used.

For Stephanie the best aspect of her business is all the complements she gets, and her eventual goal is to move into a premises where local people can be trained.