It's called a Wonderscape (not a zen garden)!

 

 

Wonderscapes: Not a Mini Zen Garden

Our Wonderscapes often get compared to desktop zen gardens. You know, those classic stress relief tools that include a rake and sand. While both use sand to create calming patterns and provide meditative benefits, the similarities end there. Our Wonderscapes blossom from a different source entirely, embodying love, curiosity, playfulness and creativity. They are high quality handmade art objects that double as therapeutic tools.

From our hands to yours, we offer a unique touch to your mindfulness practices. We believe that the mindfulness tools you use should be made mindfully as well, with both planet and people in mind. 

The Essence of Zen Gardens

Zen gardens have a rich history, originating in medieval Japan around the 1300’s. They were designed for meditating on Buddha's teachings and have since evolved into modern stress relief tools for the desktop. We deeply appreciate the cultural importance of zen gardens and their modern applications. The Portland Japanese Garden is a beautiful place to reflect on their beauty and significance. If you're ever in Portland, it's a must-see and it changes season to season depending on what’s in bloom. 

The desktop zen garden is a more recent innovation, though its exact origins are unclear. We admire contemporary artists like Yuki Kawae, who creates mesmerizing zen garden videos that have captivated a global audience.

Why No Rake for Your Wonderscape?

A common question we receive is whether our Wonderscapes come with rakes or other zen garden accessories. The answer is no. Our Wonderscapes are not designed to mimic traditional zen gardens. Our Wonderscapes are unique creations that stand apart, intended to inspire creativity and mindfulness through their distinctive designs. 

The Birth of Wonderscapes

To truly understand Wonderscapes, it's essential to understand their origin story. In 2008, Andrew, the founder of Olander Earthworks, was finishing a face sculpture when it accidentally fell into a sand pendulum tray he had made for his wife, Sarah. The impression it left sparked an idea: a spherical object covered in intricate patterns. This happy accident led to the creation of our first sand sphere design, Lines.

Andrew's initial designs quickly gained popularity, especially among therapists, counselors, and educators, who saw their potential as therapeutic tools. This feedback inspired us to name our creative sand tray creations, "Wonderscapes," reflecting the sense of wonder and discovery they evoke.

Unique Features of a Wonderscape

Creative Discovery

Wonderscapes encourage a meditative calm through repetitive pattern creation while also stimulating creativity and playfulness. Rolling a sand sphere creates unique textures, and shaking the tray offers a clean slate to start anew. This process embodies the idea that everything is temporary, and new beginnings are always possible.

Personalized Sets

With over 60 designs and various colors, Wonderscapes are meant to be personalized. Whether you prefer a pre-made package or enjoy building your own set, each one can be curated to reflect your unique preferences.

Art Meets Therapy

Wonderscapes are both heirloom art piece and therapeutic stress relief tools. Many therapists use our sand spheres in their practice, finding them particularly beneficial for stress relief and creative expression. The World Sand Tray Institute is one of the early adopters of our sand spheres in sand play therapy, highlighting their therapeutic value.

Fine Crystalline Sand

Our sand is finer and more detailed than the coarse sand found in many factory-made mini zen gardens. Made of ground quartz crystal, it holds patterns beautifully, enhancing the overall experience of using a Wonderscape.

High-Quality, Durable Handmade Elements

We believe in creating a product that is made to last. Each concrete sphere is cast in small batches, by hand, in our Portland-based studio. Our trays are cut by a local CNC contractor, then sanded and painted with a high-traffic furniture paint in-house by our team. Our spheres are solid pieces of concrete, that can last a lifetime with proper care.

Discover the Magic of Wonderscapes

Wonderscapes are more than just desktop zen gardens. They are tools for mindfulness, creativity, and therapeutic discovery. Explore our collections and find the perfect set that speaks to you and bring a sense of calm and creativity into your daily life.