Nuestra Historia

More than ten years ago, a few of us met through a shared interest in bushcraft and time spent outdoors.

What drew us in wasn’t just being outside, but using tools that were made by hand, in traditional ways.

Over time, we noticed that these kinds of objects were becoming harder to find.

Well-made, truly handcrafted pieces were no longer easy to come across.

So we started making things ourselves—not to build a brand, but because we didn’t want those ways of making to disappear.

Years of working by hand changed how we understood craft.

What began as simple, functional gear slowly developed its own weight and character.

Some of these pieces eventually made their way into other people’s hands.

Knowing they’re used and carried in daily life still feels quietly satisfying to us.

That’s how Ember Oldways began.

Over the years, we’ve worked with many materials.

Urushi kuksa, waxed canvas gear, leather goods—even blades for a time.

While working on a blade, I injured my finger.

Even now, it still feels a little off sometimes.

Around that time, I was carrying a large stainless steel bottle.

It worked perfectly fine, but it never really felt like it belonged with the rest of my gear.

It felt too uniform, too industrial.

That contrast made me think more seriously about older ways of carrying water.

Eventually, gourds just made sense.

They’ve been used across cultures for thousands of years.

And even today, they still appear in stories, games, and everyday references.

At the beginning, we didn’t know how to make them properly.

We tested, failed, and adjusted—over and over again—until we slowly began to understand the material.

Arriving at our current process took over a year of testing.

We studied traditional methods and adapted them through hands-on work.

Each gourd starts as a natural base.

Not every variety can be used as a drinking vessel.

We tested dozens of types—most of them didn’t work.

The one we use now is chosen based on long-term durability and its visual quality.

Each piece is hollowed entirely by hand.

It is then boiled with natural plant dyes to develop its color.

After that, urushi lacquer is applied repeatedly, inside and out.

Usually three layers, sometimes more depending on the piece.

Each layer needs time to cure before the next can begin.

From start to finish, each piece takes at least three weeks of hands-on work.

Only after that is it ready to be used.

(More details about materials and process can be found in our blog.)

We’re often asked if we can make brighter colors like green or pink.

The short answer is no—at least not the way we work now.

We only use natural plant-based dyes.

Because of that, the color range is limited to red, brown, and black.

These are the tones we can achieve without introducing synthetic pigments.

This limitation isn’t something we try to avoid—it’s part of the process.

It also ensures the piece remains safe for everyday use.

People end up using these gourds in very different ways.

Some carry them daily as water bottles or for spirits.

There’s something about using them that feels a bit more intentional.

Less automatic, more present.

One customer in the U.S. once told us that drinking whiskey from it made him feel like he was about to “go save the world.” 😄

Others carry them as part of their daily setup.

Almost like a personal object that becomes part of their routine.

Some simply keep them at home.

As a small object with presence.

One of the more unexpected uses we’ve seen was someone using it to carry daily vitamins while traveling.

We try to stay as close as possible to traditional ways of making.

No plastic. No synthetic materials. No mass production.

We work with what nature already provides.

Every step is kept simple, visible, and intentional.

I hope this gourd finds a natural place in your daily life.

It’s made to be used, not just displayed.

So just use it however feels right to you.

If anything comes up, or if you just want to share how you use it, we’re always here.

And thank you for being here and supporting what we make.

It truly means a lot.