Tucked away on Mbagathi Ridge in Karen, Nairobi, is a place that brings Kenya’s finest craftsmanship to life - the Opportunity Factory, home of Sandstorm Kenya and a vibrant collective of independent creative makers who share our values of quality, authenticity, and the handmade process.
The tour starts at Factory A with part of our cutting, sales & marketing, and the Africa Collect Textiles team; then moves to the Play House, where community artisans showcase beading, sisal weaving, and crochet alongside our design team and the rest of the cutting team. You'll visit Cool Cats Club art studio, Nakshi’s brass and mosaic workshop, and the Sandstorm factory to see how our iconic bags are made. The tour ends with a coffee at Spring Valley Coffee and a stop at our Made by Kenya shop for a chance to take home beautiful pieces.
The factory tour isn’t just a walk through a workspace. It’s a journey into the soul of what Made in Kenya truly means. It’s where hands, hearts, and heritage come together - and every corner has a story worth sharing.
Sandstorm: The Anchor of Craft and Quality
As the main anchor brand at the Opportunity Factory, Sandstorm represents over 2 decades of excellence in handcrafting leather and canvas bags designed to last a lifetime. Our products are made on-site by a team of skilled artisans - some of whom have been with us for over 20 years. From hand-cutting the leather to finishing each stitch, our workshop embodies everything we believe in: craftsmanship, pride in work, and the celebration of local talent. For visitors, watching a Sandstorm bag come to life is often the most moving part of the experience.
Beading: Community in Every Stitch
Our beading initiative is rooted in community impact. We train women across Kenya in traditional and contemporary beading techniques, enabling them to meet international quality standards and earn a sustainable income through their craft. These skilled artisans work on signature details like the Cheli & Peacock folder beads, the KO Mara gin beaded collars, and our Sandstorm Kenya hand-beaded totes that have become sought-after collector items.
Some of the women are based in our factory, working side by side with our team to bring these intricate designs to life. It's delicate, slow work - all done by hand, bead by bead. More than just decorative, our beading represents culture, connection, and the transformative power of community-driven enterprise.
Kenya Originals Mara Gin: Beads, Bottles, and Bold Ideas
Kenya Originals Mara Gin is more than just a premium spirit - it’s a celebration of Kenyan artistry. As Opportunity Factory, we collaborated on the hand-beaded gin bottle collars, by training local Maasai women artisans, Women In the Wild ,whose work added elegance and soul to every sip.
This partnership is a brilliant example of how luxury, culture and craft can come together in unexpected, unforgettable ways - and how Kenyan brands are raising the bar for design-driven experiences.
Crochet: Empowering Communities Through Craft
At Sandstorm Kenya, crochet is more than a technique - it's a powerful tool for community transformation. Just like beading, we also train women across Kenya to master the art of crochet to international standards, creating opportunities for income, independence, and creative expression.
Many of these talented women are now part of our factory team, where their skillfully crafted crochet pieces are beautifully fused with our signature leather. We use leather offcuts in this process, creating distinctive pieces like the Crochet Patched Tote and the Bucket Patched Crochet Bag - both a celebration of zero-waste design and handcrafted beauty. Every stitch tells a story of empowerment, craftsmanship, and the impact of investing in people.
Leather Weaving: The Art of Texture
Among our most admired pieces are the woven leather bags collection - a testament to patience, technique, and the mastery of form. Watching the team hand-weave strips of leather into a flawless bag is mesmerizing.
Each woven product represents hours of focused craftsmanship, and no two are ever quite the same. That’s the magic of handmade - it’s never mass-produced, and it always carries a human signature.
Nakshi Glass: Functional Art in Every Piece
Nakshi Glass brings a modern, design-forward lens to traditional glasswork. Their creations are thoughtfully made and beautifully unique. Their presence at the Opportunity Factory adds a whole new dimension to the creative landscape. Like us, they believe in thoughtful production, quality over quantity, and the power of detail, values that shine through every hand-finished edge.
Spring Valley Coffee: Fuel for Creativity
No factory tour is complete without a stop at Spring Valley Coffee, our on-site café partner. Whether you’re sipping a perfectly brewed espresso or enjoying a moment to take in the atmosphere, Spring Valley keeps the energy flowing with their locally roasted blends - the same kind of thoughtful, high-quality product we champion in every part of the Opportunity Factory.
WORKSHOPS AT THE FACTORY
Led by our skilled artisans - many of whom have spent years perfecting their craft - guests can choose between two creative experiences:
What You Can Do:
✨ Bead a Bracelet
Choose from 3-line, 4-line, or 5-line designs
⏰ Duration: 2 hours
💰 Cost: USD 35 per person | USD 30 per person for groups of 6+ (Max: 30 people)
🌸 Crochet a Rose
Work side-by-side with our team to create a delicate, handcrafted rose
⏰ Duration: 2 hours
💰 Cost: USD 35 per person | USD 25 per person for groups of 6+ (Max: on request)
Every participant takes home their handmade piece as a keepsake of their time with us.
What’s Included:
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A hands-on workshop guided by local artisans
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A tour of the Sandstorm factory, where our iconic bags are made
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A deeper understanding of ethical, community-based production
Best Times to Book:
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Monday to Friday | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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Saturday | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
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Saturday afternoon, Sundays & Public Holidays | On request for groups
This experience offers more than just a souvenir—it’s a chance to connect with the people, stories, and skills behind the beautiful craftsmanship that defines Sandstorm Kenya.
Reserve Your Spot
To book your session or ask any questions, simply email us at customercare@sandstormkenya.com. We can’t wait to welcome you!
