N So as not to be mistaken... how would you prefer we talk about you? Alias, real name, your insta…
Real name, Jesus.

N We already know a little about you but... how would you like to introduce yourself on our blog?
My name is Jesús, I am from Palencia and one of my hobbies since I was little is the world of carpentry and cabinetmaking. At first, as I did not have the means or tools available, this hobby focused on simple restorations of small antique furniture as an amateur and little by little I advanced until I ventured into more complex processes. Currently, my main profession is totally different from the artisan sector but I love craftsmanship and even more when it is linked to wood and that is why I will tell you about my project and its origin later.

N What is your relationship with natural fibers? Discovery... or coincidence.
Discovery. It all started when I was looking for decoration ideas for my home. I had in mind that I wanted a space decorated in a modern, minimalist and at the same time natural way. I had heard about some natural fibres (rattan, cannage and jute), but I didn't even know that they were classified as such, and that's when I discovered the true existence of them and the different varieties that exist. Of course, I loved how they fit into the decoration and from that moment on, added to the idea that I had since I was little of starting a business, I knew that it was time to start a very beautiful adventure that, with the help of very close relatives, we call KELEK HOME.

The essence of KELEK (short name) is focused on offering a completely handcrafted manufacturing process of custom-made furniture and decorative pieces that fuse natural wood and natural fibers (raffia, rattan and jute), from bed headboards or counter covers to larger furniture such as TV furniture or hall furniture. In this way, anyone can have a personalized natural corner in their home and for me the important thing is that they feel that it is made especially for them and that at KELEK there are no two 100% identical products.

Now that you know a little more about me and the KELEK project, I invite you to continue following me on this exciting but also challenging adventure (Instagram @kelek.home).

N DIY requires learning and dedication, for us it is still a craft. What is your point of view?
According to the RAE, craftsmanship is the art or work of artisans. And an artisan for this same source is the person who exercises an art or trade that is merely mechanical, that is, manually where each manufactured piece is totally unique and exclusive. Just as an artisan in his day to day life requires dedication, effort, creativity and many other characteristics, in addition to a previous and constant phase of learning, a person who does DIY expresses his creativity and ideas, dedicating time and manual effort to build a unique piece because manual work is not industrial and therefore must be considered as craftsmanship, even if it is not for commercial purposes.

N Of your projects, do you remember any that you particularly liked?
I would highlight the first TV cabinet I made, as it was the first time I had to deal with a larger product that required techniques, tools and materials that I was inexperienced with. Until then, I had only made headboards and counter covers, so I was expecting “something” new. However, in the end, all the projects I make are special, as apart from being handcrafted and made to measure, it is the client themselves who decides which product from the catalogue they want, configuring it to their liking from the available options. This is what makes it really special, as it is they who have decided on the composition of the product, making it a unique piece.

N Do you have any favourite material? The one that can't be missing from your checklist...
All natural fibres are very pretty and decorative, although some are more complex to work with. If I had to choose one in particular, I would definitely choose the natural fibre raffia. A natural fibre that offers a very natural touch, can be used in any product idea, there are a variety of shades, it combines with different finishes and it is not usually very well known unlike rattan cannage, for example. Most of the orders I receive are with this natural fibre and the clients are delighted with the quality and the final result. In addition, it complies with the 3B rule (good, pretty and cheap) ;)

N Looking at history and learning from those who know is important... Do you have any design or artistic references that you would like to highlight?
More than a reference, my main reference is to take inspiration and creative ideas from other craftsmen and DIY enthusiasts through social networks. I invest a lot of time watching content about the manufacturing process that other people use, since it allows me to take ideas for improvement that I can apply both to my technique and to the final quality of the products. I also pay a lot of attention to the creations themselves, since later I shape my own composition, keeping in mind that wood and natural fibers will always be present.

N Success is very satisfying, but failure helps too. Any advice or comments you would like to share with beginners and veterans?
Error and confusion are inevitable, especially when one is inexperienced in a subject, although of course it also happens to veterans. The frustration and anger that this can cause does not lead to a positive situation, so the ideal is to do a retrospective, that is, analyze what happened and why, identify the cause and possible improvements for the future. I like this method a lot because I can draw positive conclusions from the error that help me improve both my skills, way of working and the quality of the final product.

It is also very important to listen to the client, since in the end they are the real testers of the product and can provide very valuable information. If I look back to the beginning of this project, I see great progress as a result of learning from both successes and mistakes, as well as being in constant search of information that provides knowledge and improvement. And as the saying goes, “trade makes perfect.”