Our story — Meet Sabera
After thirty years in the corporate world, I found myself living in the frenzy of Sydney’s inner west, working long hours in project management. In 2016, I visited a friend in Bicheno, on the east coast of Tasmania, and something shifted. The slower pace, the sound of the ocean, and the sense of space had me rethinking what I wanted for the rest of my life. It took three more years of planning, but by mid-2019, I’d packed up my small Marrickville terrace and moved south to start fresh.
Before this, my career had been about solving other people’s problems — timelines, budgets, teams. But I’d always loved working with my hands, whether it was sewing as a teenager or tinkering with furniture in my spare time. I started experimenting with natural materials during my weekends in Sydney, always dreaming of a bigger space to do it properly. That dream sat on the back burner while life kept moving, but it was always there.
Once I’d settled in Ballarat, I knew the time had come. I gave myself six months to see if I could turn an idea into reality. I called every local supplier I could find, sourcing bamboo from a small importer in Melbourne, stoneware from a pottery collective in Daylesford, and recycled glass from a workshop in Geelong. My first piece — a set of bamboo cutlery — launched in early 2020. I had no big business plan at the start — just a desire to create simple, practical pieces that could last years.
Today, Dune Wares is still run from my workshop on the outskirts of Ballarat. I’m proud to work with a small, supportive team who all bring their own skills to the table. We focus on small-batch production and work closely with a network of Victorian suppliers to keep things local. It’s been a wild few years, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
— Thanks for supporting what we do — Sabera, Sabera Hoque
Journal
Meeting the Maker of Our Recycled Glass Carafes
A visit to a Melbourne workshop showed me how our carafes take shape — raw, technical, and beautifully imperfect.
Last month, I made my way to the Melbourne outskirts to meet the folks blowing the recycled glass we use for our carafe sets. What struck me first wasn’t the glass itself but the roaring heat of the furnaces. These run at over 1100°C, and even in March, it felt like stepping into the middle of summer. The team, working in t-shirts and earplugs, moved with the kind of rhythm you’d expect from people who’ve been doing this for over a decade.
The glass comes from local collection points, mostly old wine and beer bottles destined for landfill. Once sorted and cleaned, the bottles are crushed into cullet, melted, and shaped. What I didn’t realise until seeing it in action is how hands-on the whole process is. One misstep, even a slight hesitation, and the molten glass can lose its form entirely. There’s a particular moment, just before the glass is cooled, where it almost seems alive — pliable and glowing.
Our carafes are made in small batches, no more than 50 per run. I got to see one batch being finished, and no two pieces looked exactly alike. There were little bubbles trapped inside some, or faint ripples along the surface. These aren’t flaws; they’re reminders of the origins of the material and the hands that shaped them. It’s this balance of rawness and refinement that I love.
We’ve been working with this workshop for about six months now, and there’s something reassuring about knowing who’s behind the products we send to your homes. I’ve learned that one of the makers — Troy — grew up in Ballarat, just a few streets away from where I live now. Small world, isn’t it? He laughed when I told him how far our carafes travel, from Melbourne to regional NSW, WA, and beyond.
I left that day with a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into every carafe. It’s easy to take something as simple as a glass water jug for granted, but when you see the process behind it, you can’t help but notice the layers of effort and skill built into every piece.
Five Ways to Use Our Coastal Breeze Linen Throw
The linen throw you toss on the couch can keep up with everything from winter picnics to makeshift curtains.
I didn’t initially think much beyond ‘sofa cover’ for the Coastal Breeze linen throw, but it turns out to be one of those items you reach for constantly. For something so unassuming, it’s become a bit of a Swiss Army knife in our house. The obvious use is for throwing over the couch or bed — especially useful if you happen to have pets (or grandkids) like me. It washes up easily after the inevitable paw or sticky spill.
In winter, it’s thick enough for an extra layer while reading on chilly mornings. I’ve also used it for winter picnics. We once took it out to Lake Wendouree on an 8°C day, bundled up with tea in hand. The throw sat under us on damp ground and didn’t soak through. That was a surprisingly proud moment for a blanket, if such a thing exists.
Another handy use — if you fold it in half and drape it over a curtain rod, it’ll block out some light in a pinch. I learned this when we had guests staying in our spare room, which has notoriously thin blinds. It’s not the neatest solution, but it worked for those few days.
I’ve also tried rolling it up as a makeshift bolster. Folded tightly, it’s firm enough to support your lower back while working at the table. At 240cm long, it’s got a good bit of versatility. Who knew a rectangle of linen could be this handy?
It’s funny to think about where else it might end up. I imagine someone out there has probably taken it camping, wrapped it around a damp dog, or even turned it into a beach shade on a stinking hot day. If you’ve found a creative use for it, I’d love to know. For now, it’s draped over my reading chair, waiting for the next unpredictable job.
Behind the Scenes of the Bamboo Cutlery Set
It took 17 prototypes, two suppliers, and a lot of patience to get our bamboo cutlery set just right.
When we launched Dune Wares, I didn’t expect that tiny details would keep me up at night. Case in point: the bamboo cutlery set. Each piece needed to be sturdy enough to handle heavy use but light enough to carry in a bag. And don’t get me started on the spoons. If the bowl is too flat, it’s basically useless for soup. Too deep, and it feels awkward in your mouth.
We started with a supplier in Queensland who sources bamboo from plantations in Far North Queensland. Bamboo grows incredibly fast — some species can grow up to 91cm in a day — making it a renewable option. But, as we quickly discovered, not all bamboo is created equal. The density, finish, and even the colour can vary depending on the region and season it’s harvested.
Our first few prototypes had rough edges and uneven tines on the forks. The knives couldn’t cut through a carrot, let alone anything tougher. It took 17 rounds of feedback before I held a fork that felt ‘right’ — smooth, with a comfortable weight, and sharp enough to actually spear food. It sounds trivial, but you don’t realise how much you care about cutlery until it doesn’t work properly.
The final design includes a subtle taper on the handle and a matte finish that’s lightly sanded by hand. It’s packed in an unbleached cotton pouch, which took another four rounds of sampling to get the sizing right. The whole process took almost seven months, which felt endless at the time. But now, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Seeing customers use the set for the first time — cutting apples at the beach or eating takeaway noodles in the park — is oddly satisfying. It reminds me why we spent so much time fussing over the curve of a spoon. Sometimes, it’s the little things that matter.
Autumn Gardening with the Terracotta Pots
Now’s the perfect time for planting herbs — my terracotta pots are already sprouting parsley and coriander.
Autumn in Ballarat is crisp, clear, and my favourite season for getting my hands dirty. As the garden winds down after summer, I like to focus on herbs that thrive in cooler weather. My current trio of terracotta pots — which sit on our front verandah — are home to parsley, coriander, and chives. They’re already sprouting after planting just three weeks ago, helped along by a few days of late March rain.
Terracotta pots are practical here because they breathe. Unlike glazed ceramics, they allow water to evaporate through the sides, which means you’re less likely to drown your plants if you overwater. That said, dry windy days can pull the moisture out pretty quickly, so I’ve been watching the soil and giving them a light drink every two or three days.
This morning, I clipped a handful of coriander for an omelette — just enough to add bite without overwhelming it. This week, parsley’s on its way into soup. There’s something satisfying about growing exactly what you need, nothing more, nothing less. It’s not about a perfectly manicured garden, but about enjoying the process and eating the results.
The pots themselves are made down near Geelong, using Victorian clay. They’re fired in kilns that run on waste sawdust from local timber mills. Each pot has slight variations in tone, which I think adds to their charm. I like the way the darker terracotta picks up the golden light in the late afternoon.
If you’re looking to add a bit of greenery to your space this autumn, a few herbs in pots could be the thing. They’re low-maintenance and keep you connected to the seasons — plus, there’s nothing better than snipping fresh parsley for dinner without having to leave your porch.
Customer reviews
Emily R. — Fitzroy, VIC — 2024-06-12 — 5/5
Perfect eco-friendly choice
Bought the Dune Wares Bamboo Cutlery Set for camping, and it’s been amazing. It feels sturdy but lightweight, and shipping was quick too.
David M. — Newtown, NSW — 2024-01-18 — 4/5
Lovely and practical
I got the Coastal Breeze Linen Throw, and it’s great for cooler evenings. A bit thinner than I expected, but still very comfortable.
Sarah P. — Hobart, TAS — 2024-11-07 — 5/5
Beautiful plant pots!
The Terra Cotta Plant Pot Trio is perfect for my herbs. The earthy tones are just right, and the size is great for a windowsill garden.
James L. — Paddington, QLD — 2025-02-24 — 5/5
Great quality and fast shipping
Ordered the Recycled Glass Carafe Set and it arrived within three days. It’s sturdy and has become a dinner table staple.
Olivia C. — St Kilda, VIC — 2025-03-15 — 4/5
Soft but smaller than expected
The Wool Blend Textured Rug is lovely underfoot, though it was a bit smaller than I pictured. It adds warmth to the living room though!
Matthew K. — Manly, NSW — 2024-09-05 — 5/5
Eco-conscious and reliable
Bought the Bamboo Cutlery Set for work lunches. Love that it’s reusable and the carry case is convenient. Delivery was seamless.
Sophia W. — Norwood, SA — 2024-08-30 — 5/5
Stylish and practical
The Recycled Glass Carafe Set is both gorgeous and functional. I’ve already had compliments on it. Arrived safely packaged.
Daniel T. — West End, QLD — 2024-12-22 — 4/5
Nicely made pots
The Terra Cotta Plant Pot Trio looks great on my balcony. One small chip on arrival, but customer service was helpful.
Returns
We accept returns within 30 days of delivery as per Australian Consumer Law. Items must be returned unused, in their original condition and packaging, along with proof of purchase. Please note that return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer unless the item is faulty.
Some exclusions apply, such as sale items and gift cards, which cannot be returned or refunded. If the item was a gift and marked as such at purchase, we can issue a store credit to the gift recipient for the same value.
Refunds are processed within 5-7 business days after we receive and inspect the returned item. For faulty or damaged goods, let us know within 48 hours of receiving your order so we can arrange a replacement or refund promptly.