click
to view this in life size
DESKTOP ZEN GARDEN
originally $50.00
SALE $29.99
handmade
community voted (415 votes)
Office Oasis
Who would have guessed that "going to your happy place" could mean that you're at work? With this meditative, desktop Zen garden, you can soothe away all your workday worries in style. Housed in an unvarnished wooden frame, the striking black sand invites you to create calming patterns in its surface using the included handmade brushed aluminum rake. Resting in the black sand, called Black Beauty, which is a byproduct of ore smelting, are three smooth, natural sea stones that can be repositioned to create ever-changing tableaus. Each stone is functional as well as beautiful: one holds the rake and your pen, one has a slot for displaying up to 5 business cards, and one contains a hidden magnet for securing paperclips. Handmade by Arra David and Anne Johnson in New Hampshire.
Exclusively at UncommonGoods.
- Item ID: 21096
- Materials: aluminum, wood, granite
- Sandbox: 10" L x 5" W x 0.75" H; 2 lbs., Stones: 1.63" dia and 1.25" dia. 11oz. of sand.
- Pen not included. Handmade brushed aluminum rake, gold paperclips, 3 stones, and sand are included.
Arra David and Anne Johnson
Arra David and Anne Johnson are longtime New England rockhounds. Their love for Mother Nature's artwork in stone and hardwood inspires them to handcraft functional creations that bring the outdoors in. They craft each piece with attention to detail, quality and respect for nature. See all creations.
Zen Garden
$40.00
Desktop Golf
$28.00
Zen Ball
$12.00
A Smile Sent... - Rebecca Grace Jones
$65.00
Evolution Erasers - Set of 2
$16.00
Faces Of The Moon Stress Balls
$165.00
Tree Branch Mezuzah
$190.00
Chinese Zodiac Diamond Necklaces
$75.00
Electromagnet Pendant Necklace
$65.00
Granite Desk Toppers
$18.00
Ceramic Modular Planter
$28.00
Sometimes Watch
$140.00
Chikuno Cube
$29.00
Chalkboard Tablet
$24.00
Fortune Cookie Necklaces
$80.00
Q and A
When our community voted on this product, some also shared comments - read them below:
415 votes * 58 comments
dianne
Vote: Thumbs down!
not big enough
Cassie, UncommonGoods Community Moderator
We love that this stylish desk art by Arra David and Anne Johnson makes it possible to find a moment of zen despite piles of paperwork, urgent emails, and upcoming deadlines. Would you decorate your work space with this lovely garden?
Kimberley
Vote: Thumbs down!
I like all of the items by this artist, but I feel that this one could have been done differently. Also, I feel like the black sand looks more like dirt.
Seneca
Vote: Thumbs down!
I think that this could have been slightly larger.
ciara
I like it.
Rachel
Vote: Thumbs down!
Very small
Karen
Vote: Thumbs up!
Like it, but at a slightly lower price point ($40?). I think the black sand is a nice change from the other sets out there, and the stones are great. Already know who to buy this for.
Kimberly
Vote: Thumbs up!
Looks like a nice way to relieve stress during the work day!
Elizabeth
Vote: Thumbs down!
Nah!!! Not aethetic enough for me, and too highly priced.
Heather
Vote: Thumbs down!
Too small, and there many others like it. Also, $55 is outrageous.
Patricia
Now, this is fun. In fact, I've been hinting around for a few years to anyone who will listen (
Gail
Vote: Thumbs down!
Another one? This was old in the 70's. At least it's made in the US
linda
Vote: Thumbs up!
cute, but other versions have been out there for a long time, this one more functional because of the card/pen/clip holder, TOO expensive
alena
Vote: Thumbs down!
i like it but you see these all over and it is way too pricey.
Stephanie
Vote: Thumbs up!
Wayyyyyyyy too expensive. This is very cute but I've seen similar items for 20.00
kim
Seriously-$55? It's a nice set but I wouldn't pay more than $25.
Nancy
Vote: Thumbs up!
I like the idea but it's a bit pricey.
Cassie, UncommonGoods Community Moderator
Thanks for all of your votes and comments! To answer a few of your questions, this piece is 8 inches long and 5 inches wide, so it's a nice size to fit on your desk. The designers, Arra and Anne, handpick the stones that are used in each of their designs to make sure each individual creation is unique and beautiful. After "harvesting" the sea stones, they put new rocks in their place, so those too can be tumbled by the waves. To learn more about the artists, please click on the blue link in the artist section under the product story.
amy
Vote: Thumbs down!
looks cheap.
linda
Vote: Thumbs down!
no way would I pay 55.00 for this.
Barbara
Vote: Thumbs down!
If you have extra $$$ to spend for someone who has everything, including a miserable job, OK...otherwise, have a glass of wine.
Rasha
Vote: Thumbs down!
I think people are likely to use more than one pen...design may have needed to be practical.
Christine
Vote: Thumbs down!
I've seen these, I like the utility of it, but for $55 you should make it at least 8x10.
Cindy
Vote: Thumbs up!
Very cute and useful desk item.
Tammy
Vote: Thumbs down!
I have enough stuff on my desk and this certainly doesn't hold much!
roberta
Vote: Thumbs up!
A bit pricey.
Denise
Vote: Thumbs up!
I like it, but I wouldn't pay more than $25 for it.
Jane
Vote: Thumbs down!
Too small for the price.
diane
Vote: Thumbs down!
Just not for me...with a two year old anything with open dirt = mess.
maryhelen
Vote: Thumbs up!
Nice for a gift, but priced a little too high
Daryl
Vote: Thumbs down!
Too small. The "rake" has to be able to go all the way around a stone. Sand will spill onto the desk.
Celeste
Vote: Thumbs down!
Seems like a silly thing to spend $55 on.
Christen
Vote: Thumbs down!
No litter box for my desk...
Jennifer
Vote: Thumbs down!
Who really has space on their desk for these things?
Abby
Vote: Thumbs up!
i like but the price is alittle steep
Mary Margaret
Vote: Thumbs down!
Seriously? Do I need to really comment on how silly it is to spend 55 bucks on 3 rocks and some black sand?
Liz
Vote: Thumbs down!
$55 for a tray of dirt and a few rocks seems a little steep.
Irene
Vote: Thumbs up!
like these, artist made but pricey
Rebecca
Vote: Thumbs down!
Small, expensive and visually unappealing
Rachel
Vote: Thumbs down!
Super cute, but really pricey.
Malorie
Vote: Thumbs down!
This is pretty pricey!
Joanne
Vote: Thumbs up!
I N E E D this!
Michele
Vote: Thumbs down!
$55 for rocks in a small tray? WOW
Yvonne
Vote: Thumbs down!
ZEN! It would make me crazy that I paid that much for this!
Tess
Vote: Thumbs down!
The "zen desk garden" seems very late-1990s. And unnecessary to try to revive as a retro trend.
sharon
Vote: Thumbs down!
Do not like the entire set. Overpriced and too small.
Jackie
Vote: Thumbs down!
It's already been done
Shahla
Vote: Thumbs down!
Very pretty. I like the black sand. However it's too expensive for a desk ornament. Also agree that it's too small.
SE
Vote: Thumbs down!
Too small. Too expensive. Cut idea.
jenni
Vote: Thumbs down!
too small and too pricy!!
Jessica Kate
Vote: Thumbs up!
I like this but it is awful small for the price.
CMT
Vote: Thumbs down!
nice to have the black sand and the stones, but the "utility" of the piece makes it look cluttered once pens, clips and cards are there. Way too expensive
Krista
Vote: Thumbs up!
wish the sand was, well, sand colored, but I like the idea!
Kelly G
Vote: Thumbs up!
Cute but does it only hold one business card? I would want it to hold at least 15. It's creative. A little expensive but cute.
amy
Vote: Thumbs up!
Little Spendy - but I like the concept - it's fun.
Cassie, UncommonGoods Community Moderator
Thanks for your question, Kelly G. The Desktop Zen Garden can hold up to five cards comfortably, so you can keep them on display and have them handy at your desk!
Becky
Vote: Thumbs down!
Like the concept; dislike the price.
nancy
Pricey and space-consuming