Frequently Asked Questions (Faq)

Yes, this is an exciting new feature we will be launching very soon! We will offer custom engraving on our Natural Coconut Bowls, allowing you to add a personal touch with your own text or design, making it the perfect gift or a special piece for yourself.

It will be simple! On the product page, you will see an option to upload your own design (like a specific font for text or a simple pattern) or choose from our curated designs. Once you place your order, we will personally review the design and get to work engraving your unique bowl right here in our workshop.

You will be able to upload simple, high-contrast line-art patterns or text in your chosen font. We will provide detailed guidelines on the product page regarding recommended file formats (like PNG or SVG) and dimensions to ensure the best possible result. Please note, we will not be able to engrave complex photographs or copyrighted logos.

Our coconut shell bowls are hand made from 100% natural coconuts. 

No, this is very important! Our Natural Coconut Bowls are 100% food-safe for cool and warm foods. However, our Decorative Bowls (with shell inlays) are for decorative purposes only and are NOT food-safe due to the lacquers and adhesives used in the artisan process. Please never use the decorative bowls for food.

Every Oakenark product is handcrafted by us, the founders—a husband and wife team—in our small workshop in Southeast Asia.

By choosing an Oakenark bowl, you are embracing sustainability. You are saving a coconut shell from being discarded, giving it a new life as a beautiful, functional item. They are a connection to nature, 100% plastic-free, and bring a warm, natural aesthetic to your meals and your home.

Yes, completely normal and what makes them special! No two coconuts in nature are identical. Each bowl has its own unique shape, size, markings, and character. We encourage you to embrace these "imperfections" as the very things that make your bowl a one-of-a-kind piece of nature.

That's a great question! To be honest, we're a little camera-shy. Our previous lives as programmers made us more comfortable behind a screen than in front of one.

Right now, we prefer to let our handcrafted products tell our story. However, as our Oakenark family grows, we hope to step out of our comfort zone more. So, we are definitely considering sharing a little more of ourselves in the future. Thank you for being interested in our journey!

For the most up-to-date information, please refer to our dedicated Shipping & Delivery page.

Yes, absolutely. Once your order is dispatched, you will receive a shipping confirmation email containing your tracking number so you can follow its journey to your door.

We strive to process and ship all orders within 1-2 business days. During peak seasons, it may take a little longer, but we always work to get your order to you as quickly as possible.

We accept a wide range of payment methods to make your checkout process as smooth as possible. These include:

• Major Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, and Discover.
• Accelerated Checkouts: Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Amazon Pay.
• Wallets: PayPal Wallet.
• Installments: Shop Pay Installments, allowing you to pay over time.
• Local Payment Methods: Bancontact for our customers in Belgium.

We're so sorry to hear that! Please refer to our Returns & Guarantee Policy page for detailed instructions on how to proceed. We'll make it right.

We understand that things can change! We have a short window (typically up to 8 hours) after an order is placed where we can try to update, edit, or cancel it before it's processed for shipping.

The best way to request a change is to contact us immediately via email or WhatsApp. Please include your order number and the specific changes you'd like to make.

Our fulfillment process is very fast, so we cannot guarantee we'll be able to catch your order in time. However, we promise to do our absolute best to help. Either way, we will always reply to let you know if the change was successful or not.

Hand-wash your bowl with warm, soapy water. Do not let it soak for long periods. Never use it in the microwave, oven, or dishwasher.

To restore its shine and durability, polish your bowl with a small amount of coconut oil or flaxseed oil every 10-20 uses.

Gently wipe with a soft, dry, or slightly damp cloth only. Do not submerge in water or use any soap/cleaners, as this will damage the delicate inlay. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

After each use, rinse the brushes and sponges thoroughly with water, shake off excess water, and hang or stand them in a well-ventilated area to air dry completely.

Our bowls are best suited for cool and room-temperature foods like smoothie bowls, salads, and snacks. They can handle warm foods (like warm soups, pasta, or rice dishes), but please avoid pouring boiling hot liquids directly from the stove into the bowl, as sudden extreme temperature changes can cause the natural shell to crack.

Yes, all our food-safe bowls, utensils, and cleaning tools are 100% vegan. Our Natural Coconut Bowls are hand-polished with pure, virgin coconut oil to seal the pores and bring out their beautiful shine. Our decorative bowls use a protective lacquer for the shell inlay, which is for decorative use only and not vegan.

The beautiful mother-of-pearl shells used in our decorative bowls are sourced sustainably from local coastal communities here in Southeast Asia. We work with artisans who collect these shells with respect for the ocean's ecosystem, ensuring each piece tells a story of natural beauty and responsible craftsmanship.

We chose 'Oakenark' to represent our journey and values. 'Oak' symbolizes nature, strength, and durability—qualities we build into our products. 'Ark' represents a vessel, a sanctuary, and our personal journey of building this dream, our 'ark,' together. For us, it means a strong, natural vessel for a better way of living.

Sustainability is at the core of everything we do! Beyond our reclaimed products, we are committed to 100% plastic-free shipping. All of our packaging materials, from the boxes to the protective wrapping, are recyclable and biodegradable. It's our promise to deliver our natural products to you, naturally.

Part of the magic of our coconut bowls is that each one is a complete surprise from nature! Because they are natural, handcrafted products, we cannot guarantee a specific shape or pattern. We believe this uniqueness is what makes them so special—a truly one-of-a-kind piece just for you.

Yes, we love helping you send the perfect gift! We offer a beautiful, eco-friendly gift wrapping option at checkout. You can also add a personalized, handwritten note to your order—just leave your message in the order notes section, and we'll take care of the rest.

Oh no, we're so sorry to hear that! Natural coconut shells can sometimes crack when exposed to sudden, extreme temperature changes. While it may no longer hold liquids, its story isn't over! Many of our customers give their cracked bowls a second life as a beautiful planter for succulents, a holder for dry goods, or a unique soap dish.

Yes, that is completely normal! Just like our own skin, natural wood and coconut shells need a little moisture to stay looking their best. This is a sign that it's time to rehydrate your bowl. As our care guide suggests, simply polish it with a little coconut oil or flaxseed oil, and its beautiful, deep luster will return.