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This item will be posted to you by Lifeiskenobi within 5 days of receiving payment.
| Shipping destination | Cost | Additional items |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £3.50 | £1.00 |
| EU & Northern Ireland | Doesn't deliver here | |
| United States | Doesn't deliver here | |
| Rest of the World | Doesn't deliver here | |
This ink is inspired by a childhood memory: the scent of rice dumplings steaming in the kitchen during the Dragon Boat Festival, and the tiny red sappan wood chips tucked inside to colour the rice naturally. It’s a tradition passed through generations — a simple gesture of adding beauty to everyday food.
When I began working with botanical inks, sappan wood immediately felt like a bridge between Hong Kong heritage and my current life in London. Crafting this ink lets me carry that memory forward: the warm blush of sappan wood becomes a colour that travels, a story that continues in ink on paper.
Sappan Wood Ink is colour as culture, as nostalgia, as connection — a gentle red that carries the warmth of home.
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Unless faulty, the following types of items are non-refundable: items that are personalised, bespoke or made-to-order to your specific requirements; items which deteriorate quickly (e.g. food), personal items sold with a hygiene seal (cosmetics, underwear) in instances where the seal is broken; digital items.
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Full description
Discover the warm, rosy pigment of Sappan Wood Ink, handcrafted in small batches using traditional Asian dye techniques. Sappan wood has long been cherished for its rich natural colour — a soft red that deepens into earthy pinks and warm, muted browns.
This set includes:
-10ml bottle of handmade sappan wood ink
-1 water refillable watercolour brush
-2 plain watercolour paper cards (perfect for testing strokes or gifting)
-2 real sappan wood, included as part of the package
-Wrapped in Japanese washi paper naturally dyed in soft botanical colours
This ink is made slowly and intentionally: the sappan wood is soaked, simmered, and extracted by hand to release its natural dye compounds. In Hong Kong, sappan wood holds a special place in cultural memory. During the Dragon Boat Festival, families traditionally insert pieces of sappan wood into rice dumplings to naturally tint the glutinous rice a gentle rose-red. This ink honours that ritual — transforming a traditional festive ingredient into a modern creative material.
Preserved with essential oils to prevent mould and extend the life of the ink. Shake gently before uses.as with all botanical inks, colour may vary slightly due to seasonal differences in the plant. Please store your ink out of sunlight and under dry cool conditions
Designed by Alice Fu in London
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