Afri Sand

When I find a craftsman or purveyor I really like, I shout blog about it. And I really like Afri Sand sandblasted gifts.

Afri Sand handmakes gorgeous sandblasted glassware with designs such as African shields and masks, tribal figures and the ones I really love, animal and landscape silhouettes. He sandblasts his designs on glass, as his name would imply, rather than acid-etchs them which makes for a better, more durable product.

the rhino design

We first saw him at the old Rosebank Rooftop Market last December. Our friends Ralph and Dan took us to the Market where they ordered a number of pieces to bring back to their families for Christmas. He will sandblast anything from vases to wine glasses to salad bowls. We sadly lost track of him when the Rosebank Market closed in April. And just as I was about to order six Big Five highball glasses for Vince for Fathers' Day!

We were thrilled to find him again at the Norwood Rooftop Market when it grandly opened on September 1. We quickly ordered the glasses that day and picked them up this past Sunday morning. They are perfect! Each glass has one of the Big Five, leopard, rhino, elephant, cape buffalo and lion, plus a hippo to make six.

We also did something we (or Ralph or Dan or Tom) should have done before. We got a card with his contact information on it! He doesn't seem to have a web presence but his email is afrisand@mweb.co.za. Check him out at the Norwood Rooftop Market on Sundays.