About Our Collective
The story behind our workshop and the artisans who bring textiles to life
Rooted in Tradition, Growing with Purpose
Ember-egret began in 2012 as a small weaving circle in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. What started as five women preserving traditional techniques has grown into a collective of eighteen artisans across multiple workshop spaces.
Our founding principle remains unchanged: create employment through craft while ensuring that ancestral weaving knowledge survives into future generations. We reject the false choice between cultural preservation and economic viability. Handmade textiles can compete in contemporary markets when quality and authenticity are prioritised.
Each artisan in our network completed a minimum two-year apprenticeship before working independently on commissions. This rigorous training ensures consistency across our output while allowing individual expression within established patterns.
Material Philosophy
We maintain relationships with sheep farmers in the Karoo and cotton growers in Limpopo. These partnerships guarantee supply chain transparency. Clients know exactly where their blanket's wool originated, which farm grew the cotton for their curtains.
Natural dyeing forms another cornerstone of our practice. Indigo from locally cultivated plants, ochre from regional clay deposits, and plant-based browns and greens reduce environmental impact while producing colours that age beautifully rather than fading harshly.
Our Workshop Spaces
Three locations across the Western Cape and Gauteng
Stellenbosch Studio
Our original workshop and administrative centre. Houses eight looms, the natural dye laboratory, and a showroom displaying finished works. Open for public visits.
Khayelitsha Workshop
Community-based production facility employing artisans from the surrounding township. Specialises in cushion covers and smaller decorative pieces.
Johannesburg Outpost
Consultation space and sample showroom in Maboneng. Serves clients in Gauteng who prefer in-person discussions before commissioning work.
Training the Next Generation
Beyond production, we operate an apprenticeship programme that accepts four trainees annually. Over twenty-four months, apprentices progress from basic fibre preparation through advanced pattern work.
Graduates either join our collective as independent artisans or return to their home communities with skills to establish their own workshops. Three former apprentices now operate satellite studios in rural Eastern Cape, extending the economic benefits of craft work beyond urban centres.
We also offer short courses for the public, ranging from weekend introductions to month-long intensive programmes. These generate revenue that subsidises apprentice stipends while spreading appreciation for handweaving.
View Course OptionsValues That Guide Our Work
Fair Compensation
Artisans receive living wages calculated per piece, not hourly rates that penalise slower, more careful work. Complex commissions pay proportionally more.
Material Integrity
No synthetic blends or shortcuts. If we cannot source a material ethically, we discuss alternatives with clients rather than compromising quality.
Cultural Respect
Patterns carry meaning. We consult with community elders when incorporating traditional motifs and educate clients about symbolic significance.
Environmental Care
Natural dyes, biodegradable materials, minimal packaging. We aim to create textiles that can decompose without harm when their useful life ends.