Recently I heard a person commenting that many people (especially in countries where there are no cork oaks) believed that to obtain cork was necessary to kill the cork oaks… and it gave me the idea to write this post!
So, contrary to what some people think it is not necessary to kill the cork oaks to obtain cork.
The cork oak is a tree from the oak’s family, grown in southwest Europe and northwest Africa, from which we extract cork, often used, e.g., for wine bottle stoppers.
The cork is harvested every 9 to 12 years, when it has a convenient maturation (although the first harvesting is only after 25 to 30 years of age… cork oaks live about 150 to 250 years).
Only the bark is extracted, and a new layer of cork regrows, making it a renewable resource.
Cork is used for many purposes, such as wine bottle stoppers, different types of insulation and even in clothing and fashion accessories!
This last one I can show you, in the several materials I use to make my pieces is also included cork. How about a nautical style clutch?
NOTON by Raquel | Handmade Handbags, Wallets, Scarves, Hats, and much more.... 