About us

Woodwings was conceived many years ago, even before our children were born. My journey with these enchanting birds began when I stumbled upon them at an organic market. The moment I turned the corner and saw the mobiles, I was utterly captivated. As a fellow carver, I marveled at the craftsmanship achieved with regular pine wood—a material known for its varying densities and challenging nature.

Before meeting my husband Dominic, I saved up to buy one of his birds. A few months later, at another craft market, our paths crossed, and the rest, as they say, is musical history. Together, we brought color to the birds and ran this business for several years. However, life evolved, and with the arrival of our children, we ventured into other creative projects and businesses.

Over the years, many have asked if we could revive the birds, but as life grew busier, it seemed impossible. Fast forward twenty-two years, and the impact of COVID-19 on our tourism-dependent business forced us to close two shops. This challenging period made it not only possible but necessary to revisit Woodwings Creations.

We have now breathed new life into this magical project. Our workshop, a special place we always dreamed of moving into, has become our home. Nestled in a house on a hill in Kensington, Johannesburg, this former monastery—once a farm built by an Irish farmer over a century ago—provides the perfect backdrop for our work.

Our team consists of three dedicated individuals. Dominic, the artist and engineer extraordinaire, masterfully creates these graceful birds from Pine. Mike Dladla, who has been with us for 28 years, runs the painting department, assists with hand sanding, and steps in wherever needed. As for me, I design custom looks for each bird species, experimenting with various paints and techniques before handing them over to Mike. I also manage the customer care and business side of things and oversee other creative projects.

We hope you find as much joy in these birds as we do and that they become a cherished part of your family. Thank you in advance for your support.

With love,

Françoise