Everyday a Better World
Kaplum is the designers-duo Anna van Gerve and Alper Demir, both graduated in Fine Arts at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam. We create colourful, tactile objects and artworks for curious minds of all ages. Inspired by the way we experience and imagine the world, we work with simple shapes, bold colours and natural materials.
Carefully handmade by us
All of our products are designed and handcrafted by us at our studios in De Stadsfabriek, a creative hub in Alkmaar, the Netherlands. Our collection includes textile wall hangings, linoprints, screen prints, monoprints and turned wooden bowls and vases, alongside our line of handmade soft toys.
The Adventure of Play
We believe that play, curiosity and imagination remain important throughout life. They encourage us to discover the world, see things from different perspectives and stay open to new possibilities. We believe that the more closely we connect with the world around us, the more we care for it. Through our work, we hope to nurture that sense of curiosity, wonder and connection in people of all ages.
The Joy of Imagination
We have a basic human need to express imagination, curiosity and creativity, which are key resources in a knowledge-driven world. For us it is vital to allow imagination to flourish, at every age. In our work we use simple shapes and colours, leaving space for interpretation and personal imagination. Our inspiration comes from abstract and minimalist art, as well as from the way children look at and experience the world.
0% plastic, 100% natural
Because we don’t want to contribute to the plastic problem in any way, our products, packaging and promotional materials are completely plastic free. For our soft toys we use GOTS certified organic cotton plush, organic cotton thread and sheep wool stuffing. Our turned wooden bowls and vases are made from locally sourced trees that have been felled for various reasons. By giving this wood a new life, each piece becomes a unique, tactile object shaped by the character of the tree it came from. We finish our wooden pieces with natural materials such as beeswax and linseed oil.
Design for all ages
We create objects and artworks for people of all ages, to be enjoyed and become part of everyday life. They can invite play, spark the imagination or simply add colour and character to a space. We strive to create pieces that last for generations.
Made to last
All of our work is handcrafted with attention to materials, colour and detail. We believe in creating things that are meaningful, durable and made to be lived with — whether they invite play, spark imagination or simply add beauty to everyday life.
All of our toys are in compliance with the European standards for safety on toys (EN-71.3) and bear the CE mark, which confirms they passed all tests (a.o. flammability tests, chemical tests and mechanical tests).
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Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
0% plastic 100% natural
Every year about over 5 million tons of plastic ends up in our oceans. This plastic does not dissolve but disintegrates into smaller pieces, releasing toxins in the process. UNESCO estimates that over 100.000 sea mammals die each year as a consequence of the pollution of our oceans with plastic. In addition, there is strong evidence that plastic pollution also poses a threat for
human health. It is already known that many additives in plastic are considered extremely harmful, especially for still developing children. However, the full scope of the problem is still poorly understood. Because we don’t want to contribute to the plastic problem in any way, all of our toys, packaging and promotion materials are completely plastic free.
Our soft toys are made with GOTS* certified organic cotton plush, a linnen/cotton mix and organic cotton thread. We fill them with and Oeko-Tex Standard-100** certified Texel sheep wool stuffing. Texel is a Dutch island, and close to our hometown: Alkmaar. Besides being soft and comforting, wool is hypoallergenic, and wool-stuffed toys are therefore ideal for all children, also those with asthma, eczema or allergies.
For our wooden toys we use environmentally friendly FSC*** certified wood, paints and finishes.
Of course our packaging and printed material are also all environmentally friendly; recycled cardboard boxes, FSC certified paper tape and paper.
* The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain.
** Articles carrying the STANDARD 100 Oeko-Tex label have been tested for harmful substances and have been demonstrated to be harmless in human ecological terms.
*** The FSC certification is considered the gold standard designation for wood harvested from forests that are responsibly managed, socially beneficial, environmentally conscious, and economically viable.
