It has been a really long time since I have been active here and one of my resolutions for the year is to change that. Though my first post of the year is not about photography, I felt the need to share a short product review for this new case that I just can't stop looking at, since I pulled it out of the box this morning.
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| Grove iPhone 5 bamboo case |
This is not just any iPhone case. No. This is a work of art... and the smooth finish feels soooo good in my hands!
The Grove iPhone 5 bamboo case is made by a small start-up in Portland, Oregon. The company launched their first cases in 2010, with little fanfare, but have quickly grown with the uniqueness and quality of their product. Each of the skillfully designed iPhone 5 cases are handcrafted and made of all natural materials. They are milled out of a solid block of bamboo, then paired with a plant fiber composite interior for added strength. The finish is luxuriously smooth. You can choose to customize the case with laser engraved artwork from a large selection of designs provided by Grove, or for a little extra, you can design your own artwork to be engraved to the back of the case. You can also have custom monogramming, engraved to the sides of the case or lower portion of the back, for a small fee.
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| Fine details such as speaker/mic holes and ports for headphone and Lightning charger cable. |
For my case, I chose the PangeaSeed design offered by Grove. A portion of the sale from this case goes to the PangeaSeed conservation group, towards raising awareness for the protection of sharks. Given my love for the ocean and sharks, this was an added bonus. Plus the obvious... the beautiful awesomeness!
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| Intricate laser engraved artwork. |
Given the detailed and laborious process of machining and finishing these cases, these Grove cases are not cheap. If you are just looking for functionality and affordability, there are other cases that may better serve your needs. However, if you want to make a statement, turn some heads, all while supporting a small US business, who's passion shows in their product, this case will do just that. If you plan to order one of these cases, be prepared to wait! With the high demand, the wait for these cases has been up to 10-14 weeks. But I assure you... the wait is certainly worth it!
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| Carefully packed to avoid shipping damage. |
Besides iPhone cases, Grove also makes cases for iPads and leather notebook covers. For more information, you can visit the Grove website.
