Whether you're looking to enhance your play therapy supply of unique tools, are a miniature gardening enthusiast looking for something really different for your collection, or just wanting to create calm and beauty in your space, we've got something special for you!
Our family-owned business has made our original sand spheres and high quality desktop zen gardens since 2008. We thrill in making original pieces for you to enjoy- from our small art studio to your hands. To create each design, such as our Swirls sand sphere below, Andrew initially carves the patterns by hand.
Some designs take up to 50 hours to carve! Above, you can see Andrew carving our Petals sphere. The process is very careful and deliberate. Each and every one of our spheres is made by him. No machines or computers to assist.
After a design is completed, we create a silicone mold to reproduce the form. Then, our studio assistants pour concrete into the mold, let it harden, then sand and stain each and every piece by hand. We use a concrete mix, not the lightweight, cheap substance made to look like concrete that's used in mass production. These are artisan made in small batches with care, not in a factory.
Andrew, the founder and creator behind Olander Earthworks, started selling at the Portland Saturday Market in 2008 when his wife Sarah was pregnant with our first child. Sarah joined Andrew in business in 2014.
Our family was born and grew right alongside our business. Here's our youngest daughter with Andrew, selling at the Market in 2010.
Another family shot. This was around 2014. The girls are trying out our various sand sphere designs.
Here are our two girls with Andrew in 2019. Our business has grown up alongside them. We've written our own beautifully complex story and our wonderful customers and fans are part of it. We couldn't have done this without you and we have always appreciated your support.
We're currently sheltering in place to stay safe and healthy during COVID-19, but we hope to see you all out and about when this is over.
In the meantime, we're still taking web orders and even doing live virtual sales with products we currently have in stock, so just get in touch if you need anything! Check out our web store offerings first, because we have many ready-to-go curated packages made up:
https://www.olanderearthworks.com/collections
