Ed & Lei Garden

Existing inventory still up for grabs…

Still up for sale…. Please send your inquiries here.

When COVID-19 struck the Philippines and the rest of the world, the resulting economic downturn made people rethink their position and find ways to earn their daily living. In our country, online selling proliferated during the pandemic due to lockdowns that were imposed by the government.

Already retired from work, my husband and I are relying on SSS pension and some savings to get by each day. In light of this, we agreed to start a business where we sell driftwood and bonsais online. What was initially my spouse’s hobby became our start-up business and whatever items we had available found their way into online selling.

By way of information, my husband Edwin commenced bonsai-making as a hobby many years ago. His fascination for bonsais started when he saw small trees that mimic the shape and size of full-grown trees in a plant garden in Diliman, Quezon City. He bought two medium-sized bonsais for our front garden. Likewise, he bought items like stones, soil, copper wire, other plants & tools that can help him start this hobby.

He did his initial projects remembering in detail how he saw the owner of the plant garden went about performing his craft. He also searched the internet to keep himself abreast with the different techniques of bonsai-making. His diversion became a perfect way to put his green thumb at work. In our business, we combine our creativity, resourcefulness and artistic flair in order to come out with the best results in whatever product we churn out.If you are not actually involved into the job, you will not realize that wiring (which bends and repositions the branches) is such a crucial technique to style bonsais. It will take months before the branches are set in their new shape. My husband has to check on the tree regularly and remove the wire on time to prevent from cutting into the bark, thus creating ugly scars. Even the styling and design is a tedious process. In truth, growing miniature trees is not simple. It requires a great deal of time, patience and dedication to one’s craft.

It is interesting to note that in one of the visits we made to my relatives in Pampanga, my spouse thought of collecting the branches of fallen trees and run-down trunks that he found in the place and brought them home for shaping and styling. From these scavenged scraps, he came up with beautiful driftwood pieces and decorative items. This then prompted him to buy driftwood nearby or from neighboring provinces and he begun transforming driftwood into masterpieces.

Many people wonder why they need to shell out money to acquire a driftwood which for them is just a plank of wood that is dried out. You may not realize it but a lot of effort goes into finding it, hauling it home and soaking it in hot water with washing soda and treatment chemical. After the soak and extensive clean-up, any bark that has loosened is scrubbed off, rinsed and dried in the sun. Once dry, chiseling of the bark and sanding is done for a smooth finish until the driftwood is transformed into the creative work of art it has become. So, what is done to the wood does not only entail leaving it outside, it is heat treated and cured. For pieces of driftwood that are purposely plunged into the aquarium, they have to be properly cleaned, heat dried and pre-soaked in boiling water. Beach driftwood is the best for aquariums.

With the full cycle that goes with the process of transforming the stuff into what it is when you finally see it, you can just imagine the extra care, attention & labor of love that the artist puts into his end-product.
Since August last year, we have been selling driftwood, bonsais & other plants in our own fb page and another online forum. The art pieces that my spouse produces are used by buyers as bird perch or an indoor or outdoor decorative item. Other sold driftwood items had lamp or beam to illumine a dark nook in the house. They can serve as a rack for bags, or as Christmas tree during this festive season.

As of today, we still manage to make modest sales out of the items that we still carry in our inventory, and the proceeds have assisted us in tiding over some expenses that outstrip cash resources on certain instances. Providential as it may seem, almost always, the funds come in when they are needed most. Meanwhile, the unsold items continue to adorn a property adjacent to our house. This used to be a vacant lot that we developed into a covered area for small family gatherings that we held in the past.

Although we have temporarily stopped scouting for more driftwood to sell (for health & safety reasons), we still continue to grow and nurture bonsais and other plants. The small business that my spouse and I run during these most trying times offers great relief from life’s stressors. It becomes an outlet for pent-up emotions. Both of us are inclined to believe that it helps combat the rigors of age for its calming, soothing and therapeutic effects.

Left in our inventory list are the following items. Interested buyers may send in their private messages & we will gladly respond to them.

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Among our existing inventory of driftwood, Lady Luck favored us today as we were able to sell two items (should have been three, kaso sold na pala yung third driftwood na nagustuhan nya) to Ms. Candice, an entrepreneur, from Quezon City. The driftwood were picked up this afternoon from our Cainta residence.

Thank you, Madame, for your purchase!

To God be the glory! 🙏🙏🙏

Our more than 20-yr-old santan plants are in bloom and up for sale. As to your queries, please do not hesitate to reach us through our fb page. Thank you.

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Sold this item today; buyer from Brookside, Cainta came to pick it up from our house.

Thank you, Lord!

Want to own living forms of art? Breathe life into your place, bring nature to your home. Start a collection of aesthetically appealing bonsais that bring new life & a whole new ambience to any confined space.
Plants certainly give that semblance of harmony, balance, order of thoughts, peace and all that is beautiful in nature!
In case any of these plants will suit your liking, please communicate with us, and we will gladly respond to your inquiries. Likewise, we invite you to like our page where you can view other items up for sale.

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Yesterday, we had an aborted sale of one piece of driftwood. Today however, we were able to consummate the sale of several pieces. All of these were delivered this afternoon to Mr. Ricky of San Mateo, Rizal. His spacious garden is undergoing major landscaping. Thanks, Sir! You were so warm. It was nice to meet you.

Yesterday’s setback resulted to better sales transaction today. God indeed has His perfect timing! We just have to trust Him. Thanks be to God! 🙏🙏🙏

- Items still available for sale -
Should you be interested in any of the products put on display here, please place your queries on this page and we will gladly respond to them

Thank you.

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Sold today to Sir Chino of Quezon City. Wood to be used as bird perch. Thanks for purchasing, Sir!

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This seems to portend a good start of our 2021. After numerous inquiries and haggles since last year, this driftwood is finally sold today & delivered in QC (to be used as bird perch by the buyer). I believe that every driftwood that we have in our inventory will have its rightful owner in the most opportune time, and for a particular purpose that suits his/her need.

Hoping this wood would serve the buyer well. Thanks for the buena mano, Sir Miko!

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Delivered today to Ms. Andrea of San Lorenzo Village, Makati City. Thanks for purchasing, Maam!

These pieces of driftwood seem worthless, neglected, as if ready to serve their exit as firewood... from near extinction! Like the seemingly sorry state of these, what we are going through right now will take on its new meaning & purpose - sooner or later. The learnings derived from the ongoing occurrences/experiences will make us better, resilient & more prayerful, too. We will rise again. After all, Filipinos are great OVERCOMERS!

Going back to these "ugly tuods” (as shown below) which are now on their developing and resculpturing stage, watch out for their complete transformation in the coming days. Midas’ touch will turn these into beautiful, useful & intricate woodwork. We will see these items soon in their ultimate makeover state.

Looking forward with optimism, these driftwood & our lives will blossom out....and things will be all RIGHT, in time!

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A collaboration of the dexterous hands of my dad, and the artistic side of my brain, this driftwood lamp was brought to existence to light up a nook in one's home.

Delivered today to Ms. Chariz of Cubao, QC. Hope you enjoy this "tuod lamp" which was personally designed/crafted by me. Thank you for purchasing, maam! 😊

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Delivered these coffee tree driftwood and twigs to a photography studio/ad agency in BGC today. These will be used in a photoshoot of a product brand for their client. Thanks for the purchase, Madame Rebecca and Ms. Fatima. 😊😊😊

Wow!!! 😍😍😍
Unfortunately, we don't have the capability to do exporting...

From scraps to a nicely handcrafted driftwood lamp...

Wood : Madre de cacao
Height : 2 feet, 8 inches

Should you be interested, you may send me a private message. Thanks!

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A step further from the unattractive trunks/branches of wood, to a nicely handcrafted driftwood lamp...

Wood: Mahogany
Height: 5 feet, 2 inches (62in)

Should you be interested in this woodwork, you may send us a direct message. Thanks.

Projects in progress...

Trying new things and stepping outside our comfort zone. Turning adversity into opportunity.

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Sold and delivered today to Mr. Michael of Caloocan City. Thank you, Sir, for purchasing! 😊

Delivered today to Dr. Francis of QC...

This piece of wood now serves as a temporary resting place for a very cute pet bird 🦜.

This bird perch can also be transformed to a "play gym" where you can mount small ladders or platforms, or hang a bird swing, rope and other accessories.

This only shows that a particular woodcraft can have its own peculiar use for a specific customer.

Thanks for the purchase, Doc. Stay safe and healthy! 😊👍👨‍⚕️

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This piece of wood is intended to be sold as driftwood lamp. Already came up with the design, and the materials to be used have been bought already. But someone took interest in this item, with a different purpose in mind -- as bird perch! Driftwood (cement) base still has to be painted though.

Sold today, and to be delivered this week to Dr. Francis of Quezon City. Thanks for purchasing, Sir! 😊👍

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Sold to Mr. Dave of Antipolo. Thanks for the repeat purchase 😊