A Note on Patience and Price
These pieces are not inexpensive. Here is a plain account of what you are paying for, and why we do not apologize for it.
A price is a sentence about time. Ours says: a lot of it was spent here.
Summary
- The price of a piece reflects scarce material, long drying, skilled labor, hand finishing, careful packaging, and insured shipping.
- It also reflects that each piece is one of one.
- We do not use discounts or pressure tactics.
Key takeaways
- Understanding what goes into a piece helps explain its price.
- Price and value are related but not identical.
- Patience is part of both making and buying.
We know that our pieces cost more than most candleholders. We think it helps to be clear about why.
The material
The raw material is a root from a coffee tree that was nearly a hundred years old. Such trees are rare, and large sound roots are rarer. We do not buy wood by the board. We dig it, and only a fraction of what we dig becomes a piece.
The time
Each root dries slowly, for as long as it needs. Then it is turned, rested, turned again, sanded by hand for hours, and finished in layers. A single piece occupies the workshop for a long time, and requires waiting that is hard to put a number on.
The skill
The turner is a master of his craft. His judgment decides what a root can become. That judgment comes from many years. It cannot be hired cheaply or replaced by a machine.
The selection
Many roots do not make it. Those that fail represent labor and time that never produce a piece. The price of the successful ones carries some of that cost.
The details
The handwoven cloth bag, the careful packaging, the serial number and certificate, the insured shipment. Each is a real cost, and each is part of the experience.
The uniqueness
A one-of-one object cannot be reproduced. There is no scale to spread the cost over. The first piece is also the last of its kind.
What we do not do
We do not inflate prices with artificial scarcity or run manipulative countdowns. We do not claim that a piece is an investment, because we cannot promise anything about future value. A piece is something to own, use, and enjoy.
Patience
We ask a little patience from buyers too. Take time to look. Ask questions. If the right piece is there, it is there. If it sells first, another will come. See The Slow Luxury Manifesto.
A fair question
If you feel the price is beyond your reach, we understand. Not everyone will want or be able to buy a piece. That is fine. We hope you enjoy reading the journal, and perhaps one day.
Common questions
Why are the pieces priced as they are?
They reflect scarce material, long drying, skilled labor, hand finishing, packaging, insurance, and the fact that each is one of one.
Is a piece an investment?
We make no claims about future value. We encourage buying for use and enjoyment.
Keep reading
Every piece is one of one.
Browse the specimen archive and acquire the piece that speaks to you. Each is catalogued once and sold once.