The secret to a great retail experience, it turns out, is that most precious of luxuries, time.   In terms of products, research found, people favour unique, well made products that have a genuine history – products that take time to make and are timeless in style. In terms of the shopping experience, people want to be able to save time and enjoy their time.  At Tunga Studio time stands still. Savour  some quiet moments under giant Leopard trees, listen to the song of the Green Doves in the Ficus Benjamin while browsing the handembroidered artwork of the Tunga Studio artists.

Leading artists and designers at TUNGA STUDIO has fused ideas and expert craftmanship to bring about this new,   and wonderful concept -  transfigured humanity closely intertwined with nature.  This woman strides through centuries taking the beautiful icons of nature, to adorn herself.  Feathers, shells, flowers, stars and constellations.  On her hips is strung a money belt which will allow her to touch every country in the world.    Renaissance Woman, leaves us with a deep and sacred Africa Vision.

PHILISIWE MDLULI proudly displays her beautiful hand embroidered umbrella.   PHILISIWE is the only artist at TUNGA STUDIO that has mastered the intricate skill of umbrella embroidery. The circle of trees laden with fruit and flowers, energizes the poetic power of an indigenous cosmology.  Trees in evolution will sustain generation upon generation of man and beast.  Thank you PHILISIWE for reminding us to live humbly and respectfully honouring the ways of MOTHER EARTH.

Living in the Mkunduze area, Nomusa Myeza  knows the Euphorbia Ingens very closely. The  tall succulent grows up to form a massive single crown. The roots are eaten by porcupines and cane rats. The sap is very poisonous, causing blistering, possible blindness if dropped in the eye and causes allergic reactions.  Nomusa has embroidered the tree, surrounded by animals.    The black Rhino is the only animal that eats the Euphorbia Ingens.

Talented artist Nozipho Mtetwa proudly stands in front of her 3m long embroidered artwork .  The wall hanging will be displayed at the Design Indaba in Cape Town, on 2,3,4th of March.   Congratulations Nozipho,  this mesmerizing work of art will earn you many compliments and  hopefully many orders . Thank you.

Not the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, but the season when the Marula trees (Sclerocarya birrea)  in the Tunga Studio gardens, start droppping their luscious yellow fruit.  The heavy  perfume of ripe fruit, drift on the humid air of high summer. Soon the Tunga artists will go out with baskets to gather the fragrant crop. Talented cook Jabu Makhoba,  willi prepare the fruit and soon little flames will be licking at the bottoms of the pots of fruit on the fire in the green kitchen.    Hours later, sterilized jars will be filled with perfect gelee, to be had with cold meats or with a great cheese plate.

( Sclerocarya birrea

The storm which ripped through the Tunga Studio gardens on Sunday night,  split this giant Wild Plum tree in half.  Siya and Siyanda Makhoba  wasted no time in climbing up and jumping down the large old branches which suddenly became within their range.  Great fun all day long !

After  a prolonged dry spell,  a welcome shower refreshed the Tunga Studio Gardens this morning.  The leaves on the lime trees  curled in,  the grass turned brown, but the young limes are now dripping with raindrops.  Soon the leaves will unfurl and the fruit will swell out with the  bitter – sweet juice of the lime family .