SPOTLIGHT: Rok Cork & Casa Betina
One of the things that’s important to me as I launch this blog is highlighting a company that is part of the “uncorking” of all things Portuguese in Canada. My first highlight is Rok Cork and Casa Betina!
Rok Cork
A company that really links this theme is a local Portuguese-Canadian company called Rok Cork. They design and sell eco-friendly luxury cork accessories from Portugal and are based here in Canada. Rok Cork is a family owned business run by Founder and CEO Elizabeth Roque. She wanted to bring a slice of Portugal to Canada that is passionately designed, ethically manufactured and sustainability focused. Elizabeth also founded a company called Casa Betina that sells kitchen and home products manufactured in Portugal as well.
Elizabeth was born in Portugal and her family moved to Canada in 1979. Her family is from the Lisbon and Vale do Tejo region; more precisely Caldas da Rainha, once the hub of the most famous ceramic factories, to this day only a few have survived such a Bordalo Pinheiro which is world known for their cabbage inspired ceramics.
Her dad at 76 is still a very sought after cobbler, and works full time mending shoes, boots and truly living the essence of recycle, re-use – he is just as creative and detail oriented as Elizabeth.
One of the amazing products from Portugal is cork - Portugal is in fact the world’s leading producer of cork - and Elizabeth saw how cork is a very durable material, waterproof, supple to work with and 100% sustainable. She developed her designs in handbags, shoes and accessories with local artisans to offer sustainable fashion forward products that are timeless, stylish and functional but easy on the planet and PETA-approved!
All of the Rok Cork cork products are manually cut, stitched and packaged and every detail looked into by the expert craftsmen.
Did you know it takes approximately 45 years for the bark to be at its pristine peak in order to be harvested? Cork tree bark is harvested every nine years and the tree can live up to 250 years. Unlike most vegan leathers on the market, cork leather does not contain plastic, polyurethane or other harsh chemicals
Image via Rok Cork on Instagram
People say it feels so smooth, has no weird smell like most of the mainstream alternatives such as PU/PVC derived products, it’s incredibly lightweight and looks like suede.
Now you might think, hmmmm how do you clean and maintain cork? Well, since its a natural material just use a soft damp cloth and mild detergent or even a gentle baby wipe to gently scrub off the dirt and let it air dry. Rok Cork always recommends at the first sign of dirt, gently clean it as this will prolong your bag's life and keep the true beauty of cork alive.
Elizabeth pours her heart, soul and love for all Portugal offers to bring to the Canadian market so others can also enjoy it without having to travel. She really cares about making a difference in people's lives: the artisans who make the products, the customers and the contribution Rok Cork is making to a better planet by using natural materials.
Rok Cork has been featured on the Breakfast Television, Marilyn Dennis Show, The Social, CityLine, Shop.ca, CHCH TV, A Harmless Project, Global TV for Green Living Show, CTV News and has been a sponsor at the Grammys Celebrity Gift Lounge, just to name a few!
Have a look yourself here: Cork purses and handbags made in Portugal (rokcork.com) on all of the great products!
Casa Betina
Another great company founded by Elizabeth is called Casa Betina – a tender nickname her grandmother used to call her, this was a way of honoring that bond in present time. Casa Betina’s products are exclusively manufactured in Portugal, with craftsmanship and range from serving platters, cutting boards, aprons, placemats, pillows and more! Every product is infused with Portuguese soul and tradition.
Her candles smell amazing and are formulated with pure essential oils that are native to Portugal and paired with other premium certified fragrance oils. Elizabeth makes sure that these oils have no added chemicals and have been extracted from flowers, barks, leaves and fruits, and then steam distilled using the most artisanal methods available.
One of her exclusive scents is Pastel de Nata! Casa Betina has the only Pastel de Nata candle in the world. That’s right, Elizabeth worked with her team to get it just right. Your house will smell sooooo yummy. The pastry scent of lemon, cinnamon and vanilla are so warm and inviting that if you close your eyes you will feel like you are in a bakery in Portugal.
Casa Betina has 15 beautiful scents and the candles come in 3 sizes: Reusable Glass, Tin and Ceramic Vessel. The burn time is about 60+ hours for the glass and ceramic vessel, depending on candle care. The wax is premium soy and the wick is cotton (no dyes or enhancers).
The Reusable Glass size comes with a cork lid which can be used to snuff out the candle, and has been handcrafted exclusively for Casa Betina in Portugal.
Image via Casa Betina
All the candles are packaged to evoke the Portuguese hand painted ceramic tiles that will make you feel like you personally went to Portugal and purchased it. Such a beautiful gift to yourself or your friends and family.
Casa Betina is a continuation of the high standards for eco-friendly home decor and accents. Click here to have a look at some great Christmas ideas! Luxury All Natural Soy Wax and Essential Oil Candles – Casabetina