In our weekly Featured Shop series, we shine a light on a standout shop from Etsy’s talented seller community, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at their process and story.
Sustainability means different things to different people, but at its core it all comes down to appreciation: for the objects we use, what we consume, and the care and resources that go into producing both. For Kiev, Ukraine-based woodworker Kirill Babii—who grew up farming his family’s land and worked as a nature photographer during his university years—the value he places on reclaimed materials and economical design is at the very heart of his handcrafted homegoods line, Belaya Hvoya.
Explore the Belaya Hvoya collection
“I don’t cut down trees for the wood I need,” explains Kirill, who collects fallen trees and logs cast off from construction sites to build his elegantly finished tableware and multipurpose, modular dining utensils. “I also try to be as efficient as possible with how I use the wood I have. I don’t necessarily think that we must only use natural materials in our lives, but I do think we should be quite careful about which materials we use and how our choices influence our life and the life of our surroundings.”
Even if you’re simply drawn to the look of his line, Kirill’s fine finished products—think angular scorched wood cutting boards and striking, display-worthy handled plates—are likely to inspire you to preserve, enjoy, and admire each consciously crafted piece for the long haul. And what could be more sustainable than that?
Read on to learn what inspires Kirill most, and shop the Belaya Hvoya collection.

Photograph by Sasha Tereshchenko
How did you get started making wooden homewares?
On my way home from university one day in 2012, I came across a sycamore branch. I was getting my masters in technical processes and production, but at that very moment I realized I didn’t want to spend my life in factories. I wanted to connect with other human beings and with nature.
I began collecting wood from around the city and using it to create atmospheric lighting fixtures. It was very inspiring to rebirth dead wood into something with another function. I loved the process of creation, but I hadn’t thought about selling my work until I shared it with my girlfriend at the time. She liked it so much that she offered to help me establish a brand. I dropped out of university and we moved from Crimea to Kiev to build a workshop; on the train we thought of the name Belaya Hvoya, which comes from the Russian for “white pine needle”.
How did your product line evolve from there?
For the first year or so I only focused on lighting, but then I began making kitchen utensils and they exploded and completely replaced the lamps. At the beginning, I was only selling in the Ukraine and Russia, but during my third year in business I signed up for Etsy and began to sell kitchen utensils all around the world.
What are some of the most popular items in your shop?
I call it the “Etsy spoon.” That’s not its official name, but for a long period of time it was my top-ordered item. I produced the first one four years ago and I can’t remember where the original design came from, but I still get many orders for it. It’s a very simple design, so at first I couldn’t figure out why exactly it was so popular. But I try not to base my designs on what others think. I just do my best and know that some things resonate with people and others don’t. I think it’s very important not to lose yourself in society’s opinion.
What design are you personally most excited about right now?
I’m designing a new set of multifunctional kitchen utensils. It comes with one handle and a series of interchangeable attachments for various utensils. I’m also making a version with a single attachment, like a spoon, and interchangeable handles of different lengths—a small one for children, and a longer, handsome handle, too. Having a single set saves space in your kitchen and helps make it clean and beautiful. If your essential homewares are pieces of art, you don’t need as many decorations.
Can you walk me through how you go from an idea to a finished product?
First, I need an idea. Sometimes it’s spontaneous, but often I’ll receive a request to design something for a specific purpose, and I like that process so much—to work out the right balance between form and function. Once I have a sketch, it’s time to create a prototype. Let’s say I’m making a wooden spoon. First, I find a suitable piece of wood and copy my sketch onto it. Then I scoop out the spoon part with a special instrument that looks like a knife bent in the shape of a question mark. After that, I cut the rest of the shape with an electric fretsaw, and go over the surface with a regular knife. Then I use a grinding machine to refine the shape by hand. Finally, I coat the spoon with linseed oil, wait an hour, wipe it down with a cloth, and put it into an ultraviolet dryer for 12 hours. I always do four layers of oil—it gives the wood very good protection against water and makes the spoon surface soft and gentle.
How do you get the distinctive dark black finish on some of your pieces?
I use a gas burner to scorch the surface of the wood. And if I use the gas burner, I don’t need to grind the piece by hand to finish it—the fire makes the surface very smooth. I just scorch it, clean it with a hard brush, wash and dry it, and apply multiple layers of linseed oil. It’s my own technology.
What tips can you share for caring for your products?
Love them, of course! And don’t put them in a microwave or let them soak in water for more than six hours. Don’t clean them in a dishwasher, either. Just hand-wash them with warm, lightly soaped water and store them in a dry, well-ventilated space.
Where and when do you feel most inspired?
In the mornings, when I go for my daily run through the fields and mountains, whether it’s raining or snowing, or the sun is shining. I like mornings so much—they are births, beginnings, full of energy and opportunities.
I also feel inspired when I’m designing—when I’m in the process of realizing an idea and bringing it to life. I completely lose track of time and forget to eat and drink.
What part of your job do you love most?
I like working with my senses, the materials, and the function and requirements of the piece to create the best possible combination—something that distills the very best of everything and keeps only the most necessary elements. Sometimes good design happens fast and coincidentally, but often it’s the result of long and hard work with a lot of fails. But it’s always so inspiring to create. It’s the most valuable time in my life.
Follow Belaya Hvoya on Instagram.
Photographs by Belaya Hvoya unless otherwise noted.
64 comments
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 2 years ago
Very nice items. Congrats on the feature.
cherryZO from cherryZOvintage said 2 years ago
Congratulations on the feature ! What a great story !
NangijalaJewelry from NangijalaJewelry said 2 years ago
Stunning work!
Anna from FairyToysWorld said 2 years ago
Your spoons and forks are very nice! Wish you good luck!
bestMark from BestMarkStudio said 2 years ago
very nice, good luck!
Olga Kaplina from FunnyLoopsFinds said 2 years ago
Stunning items. Congrats on the feature.
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 2 years ago
Wowwwie ~ Beautiful inside and out ~ Hope to start a collection soon ! Cheers to much continued success.
EverydayFolkCo from EverydayFolkCo said 2 years ago
Truly artisan handmade. Beautiful and functional, equally modern and old world.
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 2 years ago
Amazingly beautiful utensils! Congratulations on the feature!
Katlin from Officetry said 2 years ago
Amazing items! Congratulations on the feature.
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 2 years ago
Your work is so beautiful! Congrats on the feature!
Nadiia Grypich from eNGiJewelry said 2 years ago
Items with warm energy)
Anna Morzhina from HeirloomToy said 2 years ago
The tree has a soul. Wood is warm. It is natural and very beautiful!
AnitasPottery.com from potterybyAnita said 2 years ago
Interesting that often a "happenstance" moment will often determine our life's career! (Mine was visiting a pottery shop on a school trip in 11th grade and being transfixed as the potter caressed the clay into becoming a large candlestick!) Took many years to get here, but I'm so thankful I did! 🌷🌷🌷
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 2 years ago
Such beautiful pieces you create. What a dream it would be to have these ready for use in the kitchen!! Congrats on the feature and best wishes for achieving all your goals and dreams :)
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 2 years ago
Beautiful designs! Awesome!
IOANNA GEORGIADOU from SosaniArtCrochet said 2 years ago
Very beautiful!
Liene from SilkArtbyLiene said 2 years ago
Very nice woodwork. Wish you luck
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 2 years ago
Nice woodwork collection. Congratulations on the feature!
Danny N. from ShirtCandy said 2 years ago
Lovely products!
Natalia from HandmadeDanchuta said 2 years ago
incredible and beautiful create things. Such dishes will be a chic gift!
Julia Aleshkina from AltoysCo said 2 years ago
very beautiful, stylish and concise. beauty in simplicity. natural materials are a delight. I liked most forks. Kirill, I wish you good luck and many thankful customers
Lia from LiaBlythe said 2 years ago
Great story and great idea !! I admire craftsmen who conserve nature and create eco-friendly things.
Yuly from CozySocksStore said 2 years ago
Very beautiful items! I will soon move to a new home and dream of a set of exclusive wooden boards for serving!
Svetlana Kovylina from RebornDollsSvetlana said 2 years ago
great job, I love the smell of fresh wood!
Oriaku Onuoha-Bean from JewelryByOri said 2 years ago
I am a sucker for rich wood decor and this shop speaks to me! Congrats on the feature, your designs are a true work of art.
Elena Alyona Borisova from ArtPointDesign said 2 years ago
I love wooden dishes! It was interesting to see photos of the process of making this.
Vera Mogildea from OvisKnitwear said 2 years ago
So beautiful spoons, forks and plates! Good luck!
Galina from CrochetMagicToys said 2 years ago
Beautiful things. I wish you further creative success
Aleksandra Kuznetsova from SilverKnitShop said 2 years ago
For me, working with wood is a special kind of magic! Very concise and stylish work!
Yana from MyPaintBoxShop said 2 years ago
Working with wood is a pleasure. Follow the texture of the tree, every time the tree behaves in a new way. These works are really gorgeous.
Ivan Vishnyakov from KrombWood said 2 years ago
Good job! A great idea to make products from dead wood. I also work with wood, but I do ornaments and small figures. As a master, I envy your workplace! I have a tiny corner in the apartment. Where are you now taking wood, just find or buy?
Nelya from Parapelson said 2 years ago
I like that he don’t cut down trees for the wood he need!
Diana Mozolevskaya from MagicDreamss said 2 years ago
It is very beautiful and stylish. Eco-friendly things. Master well done 😍
Anna from GoodToysFrends said 2 years ago
What beautiful things! Immediately presented them in my kitchen in a new wooden house. Very stylish, concise and brings us closer to nature!
Anastasiya from byKiama said 2 years ago
Thats amazing! ♥ Good luck, Kirill!
julia swift from JuliaSwiftShop said 2 years ago
Wood products store a piece of the artist's soul, the warmth of his hands and positive energy, which they gladly convey to their new owners. Kirill creates very beautiful things!
Irina from CrochetToysStudio said 2 years ago
Your work is incredible! I admire them! I wish you good luck and creative ideas.
Irina Naletova from BalticDriftwoodGift said 2 years ago
An interesting story and very beautiful things. I also lived in Kiev. Good luck to you!
Marusya from Marusiaknitwearstore said 2 years ago
I live in the forest, I love a tree. Inhale its smell. Cool invented!
Yulia from HedgehogDolls said 2 years ago
I adore wooden things. my husband would love your things too )
Anastasia Shevchuk from theBerenjena said 2 years ago
Congratulations on the feature! At the very first sight your work reminded me my soviet childhood, warm village house of my grandparents... Your items are fool of soul and also very stilish! I like the shop name as well - amazing!
Darya Prozerpina from felttoysfinds said 2 years ago
I looked at your work in the store, I want to look at them forever! Stunning works! I wish you success and inspiration!
Anastasia from EZHCookieCutters said 2 years ago
Wow! It so cool to find a story about shop, that I like for several years! Good luck to you! And sea of inspiration!!!
Valeriia from OneFunnyMoose said 2 years ago
I smell wood in the workshop when I look at the photos. This is the second life for the tree! I imagine what a charge of energy in this pot. Successes countryman ;)
Eugenia from JennyCANDLES said 2 years ago
These are great products! I am delighted! Such a fine job. How much love and effort in each product.
Angella Seagal from AngellaCrafts said 2 years ago
Thanks for the article and inspiration! Very useful information! It was especially interesting to learn how Kirill moves from idea to finished product! Bravo!
Rosita from pillowlink said 2 years ago
Oh my! Amazing works and the story behind for sure. It feels like ''rich minimalism'' in photos and around in work space. Environment full of super creative dust - which gives a birth to these spoons, knives, forks.. Wish you all the best!!
Lena from myheartembroidery said 2 years ago
Such a great presentation of amazing products! I've seen this shop in Instagram and spent a lot of time at their page and now really happy to see it featured! Great story and amazing job!
Katarzyna from Raccoonique said 2 years ago
omg, this is fantastic! Such a beautifully atmospheric photo!
The Prits from PalisanderArtWood said 2 years ago
An inspiring story, thank you! We're in love with wood too, and it is so pleasant to know we have such gifted colleagues in our country! Amazing woodcraft and stunning photos, we really love it!
Smolot from SmolotWood said 2 years ago
I do love wood work. The tree is able to absorb good energy. These works look fantastic.
Britney from LenoreFWS said 2 years ago
Congratulations on the feature! "I began collecting wood from around the city and using it to create atmospheric lighting fixtures. It was very inspiring to rebirth dead wood into something with another function." I absolutely love that you collect wood from around you and re-purpose it into something so beautiful and usable--what a great idea! All the best!
Marina from MyHobbyTimeTMN said 2 years ago
Simple design kitchen utensils, but at the same time very stylish. Successes and prosperity to your business!
Elena Morozova from Toysmelena said 2 years ago
Everything that surrounds us can be so close if you just stop at one moment and think: "Is that the way I am going?" It's great when there is a favorite thing, and even more beneficial to the world around it.
Gillian Northcott from esanivintage said 2 years ago
Beautiful work and beautiful designs.
Iryna from IRjewelryStudio said 2 years ago
Minimalism😍😍 Congrats on the feature.
Ekaterina from DLfamilyWorkshop said 2 years ago
What a nice woodwork and beautiful design!
Juli from JuliClothesforDolls said 2 years ago
Your spoons and forks are great! Good luck and prosperity!
Victoria from FifthTenth said 2 years ago
Proud of these guys. Nice to read about people from your country you are following for a couple of years
Сергей Игоревич from Friojanestudio said 2 years ago
WOW! It is awesome! Thank you for a great story.
Dasha Ptitsami from EnjoyYourHomeStore said 2 years ago
Great job! Keep up the good work;)
Kostiantyn Kharchenko from FLYplanner said 2 years ago
An outstanding story.
Paraskevi from amalthias said 46 days ago
Congratulations on presenting this wonderful story !! Amazing items! modern design!