2023 Entrants - Concrete and Wax
Company Name CONCRETE & WAX
Products Entered The Arboreal Collection
Tell us about your business
Founded by married design duo Alex Sommer and Laura Keller of 2SOM Studio at the end of 2018 CONCRETE & WAX is a homeware brand built upon an innovative and handmade product that is unique to the market. Set up with sustainability at the forefront, we strive for minimum waste, employ local craftsmen to create our prototypes, handmake all of our moulds, source as locally as possible hand pour every piece in small batches and only create products that are beautiful, functional and built to stand the test of time.
Tell us about the products you have entered The Arboreal Collection, launched Sept 22, is our collection of unique concrete homeware products that immortalise the beauty of wood.
Using carefully selected pieces of wood as prototypes for coasters, we charred and wire-brushed the surfaces before using each piece to hand-pour our moulds. The resulting concrete coasters show every ring and surface detail of the original wood cuttings. Each coaster sits on a hand-cut sustainably sourced cork base, uniquely shaped to each coaster form.
Our ‘Branch’ candle and holder set progresses the concept of our original Modular Candleware Collection because the holder not only fits our uniquely designed candle, but also any standard tealight and now also a taper candle too. This ensures that the holder can live the longest life possible without having to reply on our candles to perform its function. The Branch candle itself is a beautiful natural wax form that follows the shape of the holder exactly, so when displayed together, the candle and holder create the total branch, with every tactile surface detail of the bark distinguishable.
The Branch prototype was a cutting from the 60-year-old apple tree in our back garden and the coaster prototypes came from other trees during their annual prune. From our home, to yours.
All pieces are hand poured in small batches in Suffolk, are delivered in reusable packaging and we plant a tree through our partner TreeApp for each set sold.
Why did you choose to enter the GOTY competition? have you entered in the past and has it helped your brand grow?
Because we entered last year and won 'My Gift of All Time'!
But seriously, because we think it is a wonderful opportunity for our latest products to be seen across the industry by a wide variety of experts.
What other products will you be bringing to market in 2023 Good question!
We are working on other Arboreal products at the moment. Each one proving a challenge in its own right, but, as the saying goes, “Nothing good in life comes easy. The best things take work”.
Where can your products be purchased
Directly on our website as well as a selection of stockists around the UK (stockist list is on our website).
Website www.concreteandwax.com
Instagram handle @concreteandwax
Facebook handle @concreteandwax
