By Tricia Wanjala
As this year comes to an end, we look forward to the next one, celebrating what went well and hoping for better times ahead. What better way to commemorate the passing of time than by investing in unique eco-friendly timepieces as functional dÃcor items?
You do not have to buy the usual boring supermarket clocks or settle for the corporate-looking ones.
A clock can add whimsy and style as well as tell a story. African-themed and ethnic-style clocks are locally available in plenty. Saangapi is just one company that retails clocks made from kiondo or basket-weave, soapstone, banana fibre and coconut palm. The wood they use is recycled dhow wood that comes from old traditional fishing boats, known locally as jahazi, drift wood.
Clocks can also be made from recycled old hub caps from your favourite old vehicle that you had to trade in, but it carried many memories. Recycled bicycle spokes make interesting conversation pieces and add an informal flair to your space.
Vintage railway sleeper wood is now highly priced and is often made into clocks and other pieces of furniture. (Sleepers were the pieces originally used to construct the railroads and often used high quality hardwood.)
Clocks also come in leather, such as designs from JB collection in Nakuru. Recycled magazines and even recycled slippers (patipati) make for bright and colourful clocks, ideal for a family room or a childâs room.
The possibilities are virtually endless and you will doubtless find your ideal clock either by custom design from your favourite fundi or from one of the many retail stockists. These include Marula Manor in Karen, Spinners Web on Peponi Road, Blue Rhino, Banana Box and others. Most of these clocks come with rechargeable batteries. Keep it clean by dusting with a feather duster and occasionally a damp cloth. The railway sleeper clocks may benefit from some wood polish once in a while.
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