Tony's Journeys / Asia

"In Bali, everything is art. Even the mistakes."

The best wood carvings in the world. Teak root pulled from the earth. Art from the hands of 258 employees.

Bali vs. Java — Understanding the Difference

A lot of what’s actually made is made in Java. If you’re doing direct sourcing, your best pricing comes from Java because that’s where the workshops are. Then it gets hauled to Bali to sell because Bali is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Think of it this way: Bali is more like a New York or Miami — the showroom. Java is more like the Midwest — artisan village manufacturing, not factory. The pieces have soul because the people making them believe what they make matters.

The 258-Employee Family

“This specific place has 258 employees. She keeps them working regardless of how busy they are. She feeds them breakfast and lunch seven days a week — 258 people. They have their own gardens. People just come up with a truckload of teak root and she buys a tree from them. She’s incredible. Very proud to be part of that place.”

What We Source in Indonesia

Teak Root Furniture

Tables and sculptural pieces made from roots of old teak trees found in the earth. 100% natural forms.

Suar Wood Pieces

Full-size buckboard wagons. We already sold one — giant thing, gone immediately.

Hand Carvings

The best wood carvings in the world — Buddhas, Ganeshas, decorative pieces.

Melted Glass Over Teak Root

Unique sculptural pieces combining glass and natural wood forms.

What Makes Me Walk Away

"If it looks too fakey. Too new. The metals are shiny like they just came out of a paint room. Sometimes they don't have the vision — they might think gold handles are cool. We don't sell anything with gold handles here. If it feels too factory, I walk away."