Irresistible funky souvenirs

Entrepreneur's roadside attraction is a lekker shopping expedition.

- Hein Kaiser

BEDERFEEZ: PRODUCTS FROM NELL'S HOME INDUSTRY MAKE A STOP ON TRIP WORTH THE WHILE.

Souvenirs, knickknacks and mementos. It's the roadside attraction that makes any long-haul trip a "local is lekker" shopping expedition at every padstal or curio shop pitstop along the way.

Much of the funky stuff you'd buy without blinking comes from the Bloemfontein workshop of Desiree Nell and her home industry label, Bederfeez.

Whether it's lip balm or bespoke chocolates with sentimental messages on the wrapping, through to fridge magnets and money cards, it's all her work.

And she loves making it.

"I have an obsession with printing and laser cutting," says 38-year-old Nell.

"I can spend hours just making stuff on the machine, designing trinkets and having fun." And that's how her business started 20 years ago. It had its genesis in her parent's gift shop in the Eastern Cape's Karoo town of Cradock.

It's the same place where Ouma Rusks were first baked.

"I dropped out of school in Grade 11; it just wasn't for me," she says.

"I wanted to start working, and at the time stepping into my folks' business was the natural next step." This is where she discovered arts and crafts.