Meet the Qrafties: Francis Kirstein, Talented Craftsman in Hong Kong
May 2020 | 3 Mins Read
Francis Kirstein is the founder of tectonihks; an independent artisan in Hong Kong. Francis came from Manchester and studied Architecture in Edinburgh before moving to Hong Kong in 2009 and worked as a tradesman in the marine industry till 2018. Hong Kong is not only a place where he started tectonihks, it is also where he met his wife Fifi, a wine consultant in Hong Kong and married in 2013. Together, they raise a distinct looking half poodle (fellow dog lovers!), half Chinese Crested rescue dog called Rudolf (Rudy).
Francis is passionate in art, design and construction. He is interested in working in each to create an ongoing dialogue between them all. He started tectonihks as a side hustle and turned it into a full time profession. Francis handcrafted many unique lifestyle and homeware goods; giving upcycled material a new purpose. “In a world full of low cost mass produced disposable items, sometimes it's nice to own a one of a kind design that will last a lifetime. tectonihks was founded with this idea in mind.” says Francis.
How did you come up with the idea of tectonihks?
I wanted to combine my love of design with what I’d learned personally building and repairing things. I never particularly understood how things went together until I had to put things together with my own hands. I’m still learning and still making mistakes but that’s all part of the journey.
After developing a stable career in the marine industry for years, what made you decide to make that change to pursue your passion in craftsmanship full time?
Quite honestly working outdoors in Hong Kong is hard and also I missed design. I needed a break. Fortunately I’m married to an extremely supportive partner who understood that it was time for me to move on to something new and supported me a hundred percent. I wanted to experiment with what I’d learned as a tradesman with what I’d been taught in design. Even if it’s just making fridge magnets. Design can be small and it can be big. It’s what I love about it.
![Fridge Magnets made from Champagne corks. [Set of 4]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dbd5f39a7b69c23d81d1d8a/1589346171233-S9SVCV4MERNW2BBXA34U/image-asset.jpeg)
How was the transition from a full time employee to an entrepreneur?
Difficult in a word. I started tectonihks in the background of my full time job. I created small pieces in my spare time and from there I got a few commissions for bigger pieces so I decided to go part time. Finally I got a request to construct a large feature wall for a wine store and decided it was time to commit full time to tectonihks. I left the safety of a regular consistent wage for irregular work, inconsistent pay but ultimately more satisfaction.
Some say the entrepreneurial journey is like riding a roller coaster. What are some of the challenges you have faced and how did you overcome them?
I’d say that’s a good analogy as I don’t feel it’s a linear journey but a cyclical one. It’s not so much about the ups and downs as the forward progression. Every stage you can be learning something or meeting someone new. I think working for yourself and running your own company challenges you constantly in multiple aspects - whether its communicating with clients, sourcing materials, updating social media, inputting receipts in excel. And that’s even before mentioning actually physically creating or building something.
Of all the things that you have created, which one is your favourite piece?
It wasn’t a unique design as I’d seen them advertised on a trip to California but my favourite piece is probably Rudy’s dog bed I made from a wine barrel. I made it years ago, it takes up a significant piece of floorspace in our 300sqft apartment but it still makes me extremely happy each time I see Rudolf sleeping in it. There cant be that many dogs in Hong Kong sleeping in Californian wine barrels.
What is the first piece of artwork/craft you sold in your life?
The first paintings I sold were to my cousin in Dublin who’s an architect. They were made out of the plaster debris from my bathroom ceiling which I had removed to expose the bare concrete. I liked how the waste bits of paint and plaster looked on the bathroom floor as they fell, so I encased them in epoxy resin. The construction work informed the art work and a good example of what I mean by an ongoing dialogue.
How did it feel having someone appreciate your work for the first time?
It was extremely reassuring to sell a piece as it meant that someone else saw something in what I had seen and they had liked it also. I always think it only takes one person to reassure yourself that you’re doing something right (Even if that person is family).
“It was extremely reassuring to sell a piece as it meant that someone else saw something in what I had seen and they had liked it also.”
What keeps you inspired and motivated?
A love of creating, balanced with the pragmatic realities of having to pay the bills.
What is your next gig(s)? Will you always be creating things with upcycled materials?
Installing a new hardwood deck for a clients balcony. Working for an old colleague on a large old boat rewiring job and making a couple of replacement stool seats for a friend. A bit of a range keeps it interesting!
To be honest creating things with upcycled materials has never been my goal. I’m happy to use new material just as much as old. I just hate wasting things and also I’ve never had a large budget to build stuff so if I could reuse materials that would otherwise get binned than that just seemed like common sense.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
‘Say what you mean and mean what you say.”
What our Qraftie shopper says:
“Things went very smoothly! Expectations set about when it will be delivered. Use recycled packaging. Personalized note... Great!”
Words from our Founder
“Francis is one of our first adoption users who joined us at the pre-launch stage. I remember meeting Francis at a cafe sharing with him the idea of Qraftie and hearing about his creative journey. I find Francis to be a humble and truehearted person. I am inspired by his unique creations and his dedication towards arts and craftsmanship. Francis has been an engaging member of the Qraftie community and I look forward to seeing him growing his passion together with other passionate artisans on Qraftie.”
Thank you for being an appreciative reader as always. Meet the Qrafties is a series of Qraftie sellers’ stories, sharing with you the passion and hard work behind the creative works you see in their Qraftie stores. If you enjoy reading this blog post, please share it with your family and friends. Stay tuned on our next Meet the Qrafties story where you will learn more about the passion behind an independent illustrator in Hong Kong who continue traditional craftsmanship with art and design.
About the author
The Qraftie blog aims to provide you stories related to craftsmanship, culture and lifestyle around Hong Kong.
