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Meet the maker: Cotton Tree

Meet the maker: Cotton Tree

Est 2016, Johannesburg.

Who is Cotton Tree?

Cotton Tree is a small business based in Johannesburg, South Africa, creating handmade, contemporary cushions. Our focus is on texture and original design, guided by environmental kindness and community upliftment. We use 100%cotton yarn, sourced and hand dyed in South Africa.

What was the idea behind your brand?

Texture, Texture and more Texture! I wanted to create cushions with layering and interest, which would stand out from the crowd. Creating the cushions by hand gives them a feeling of authenticity and individuality.

How many people work for you?

Four fabulous ladies do all the handwork and one brilliant gentlemen sews all the cushions together.

What are your best sellers?

Definitely some of the knitted twine cushions, with the cross stitch hand embroidery - these were my first ranges and I continue to have requests for them.  The crochet Bobble cushion is a firm favourite - it has the most gorgeous texture!  Best sellers in the punch needle designs are the Ndebele patterns in natural yarn on Charcoal fabric, AfriScandi Pattern 1, Zulu Pattern 1 and the Geometric punch needle cushion Pattern 3.

What is YOUR favourite product of your collection?

I have two 😉.  The first is Punch Needle Zulu Pattern 4 in the charcoal yarn - I love the simplicity of it and yet it is so effective. The second is the Knitted Twine cushion with the Baobab design (look out for this on KNUS soon!) I am in awe, while driving in the South African bush, when I stare up into this majestic beauty.  There is no tree quite like it.  My challenge in this design was to capture the solid enormity of this incredible presence in nature, in a very identifiable, contemporary way. 

What to you is the best thing about selling on Knus?

KNUS gives me exposure to an array of different customers with its enormous following. It is so busy in a small business, wearing all the hats, and it is great that KNUS takes away some of this with their marketing, payment and shipment functions.

How would you say it has impacted your business selling through KNUS?

We have been working together for two years now and they are a huge supporter of the Cotton Tree brand and I value the relationship we have. Selling on KNUS has given me steady sales and has definitely helped to build my brand.

Why would you say it is important for customers to support local?

Local support brings with it local job creation and growth of skills - this is imperative for our country.

What Cindy had to say about KNUS

One of the areas which I felt KNUS struggled with was getting product updates live, quickly.  KNUS have just launched a portal which is going to make this a whole lot better and I am super excited! 

Cindy Roseveare