Cork is harvested from the Cork Oak tree, which grows primarily in the West Mediterranean Basin. Portugal (where our fabric originates) is the largest cork producer, containing one third of the world's Cork Oak population. Cork harvesting in Portugal is regulated by law to protect the valuable resource and regulate the quality of the harvest. When the Cork Oak has reached 20 years of age, the bark is stripped from the tree by the hands of a highly skilled harvester. That tree is then marked so that it will not be harvested for another 8-10 years.
The Cork Oak is the only tree that benefits from the removal of its bark and, since it regenerates, it is truly an eco-conscious and sustainable natural resource. In fact, the same tree can be harvested every 8-10 years for over 200 years! Once harvested, the tree absorbs about 5 times the CO2, making harvesting an important process in reducing greenhouse gases.
Once the cork is harvested from the Cork Oak it is boiled, dried, shaved into thin sheets and sealed with a non-toxic sealant. Once the cork fabric is complete, it is stain-resistant, water-resistant, scratch-proof, hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, lightweight, incredibly soft, and is also resistant to abrasion, fire, and water.
- info from Fabric Funhouse
When cared for, cork can last many years. As with any textile that is used daily, it will start to show some wear on edges and folds. Depending on the color or finish of your cork piece, it will show dirt as well. You can clean cork with a mild soap and water, however allowing it to hold onto dirt gives it a patina look, which only adds to the character!
See photos of used wallets: the one on top is 2 years old and the one on bottom is over 3!
Due to high volume, I typically have up to a two week turnaround time until I ship your piece. That is 10 business days, not including all major holidays. Gentle reminder to keep ship times in mind when placing your order, as those days are not included in my turnaround time to create your piece.
If you need your order expedited, there is an option to "Rush" your order. Contact me *prior* to placing an order if you have a specific date you need it by and I will let you know if I can meet that deadline.