Who are we, anyway?

About us – Holzgesprochen

Welcome to Holzgesprochen from Erftstadt in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Behind Holzgesprochen stands me – Manuela – with a lot of heart, passion and a great love for genuine reclaimed wood. I am supported by my partner and my father-in-law, a trained carpenter. Without this team, much of it would not be possible.

Holzgesprochen is not just a shop for me. It is my passion project.

Why I do this

I don't do this primarily for money.

Of course, a lot of work, time and money go into every single piece – because good, old wood is often valuable and expensive. My greatest wish is to make Holzgesprochen well-known and to build something of my own that I stand behind 100%.

I love the freedom to do what I truly enjoy:

Creating something with my own hands.
Something genuine.
Something with a story.

What's behind Holzgesprochen

Many people ultimately see "just" a finished sign. However, there is much more to it than that.

I personally take care of:

  • Sourcing reclaimed wood and materials
  • Production and manufacturing
  • Sanding, sawing, refurbishing, and assembling
  • Photographing the products
  • Maintaining and processing online shops
  • Texts, uploading products and customer service
  • Preparing for markets and stalls
  • Selling at markets
  • Packaging and shipping orders

Holzgesprochen is not a side project.

I work 7 days a week, often 12 to 15 hours a day, mostly without vacation or days off – because my heart is in it and I believe in this idea.

Why reclaimed wood?

I love wood with a story.

Many of our woods come from old houses, roof trusses or floors – often from the Eifel region. Some houses were over 150 years old, our oldest wood even comes from a house built in 1722.

While others would dispose of or burn this wood, we see character, soul, and memories in it.

Because old wood has experienced things new wood never will:

Children's feet on old floorboards.
Family celebrations.
Life, joy, and stories.

The name Holzgesprochen

Our signs combine sayings on metal with old wood.

Sometimes humorous.
Sometimes direct.
Sometimes honest.
Sometimes with a wink.

Because often our sayings express exactly what others don't dare to say.

And because old wood has also experienced a lot, we find that:

Wood has something to tell.

Therefore: Holzgesprochen.

How each sign is made

From large old beams, our finished products are created in many work steps.

The wood is:

  • cut
  • planed
  • sanded
  • glued
  • nailed
  • further processed by hand

Wormholes, old paint residues, small blemishes, or traces of time are deliberately preserved. This is precisely what makes each piece special.

I often hold a small sign six times in my hands before it is finished.

More than a few pieces per hour are hardly possible – because genuine craftsmanship takes time.

Who I am

I am creative, sometimes a bit scatterbrained, often a perfectionist – and if someone tells me:

"You can't do that."

… then I work even harder.

When a sign is finished, I often think:

Wow... you turned out really beautiful.
I wonder where you'll find a home soon.

What our customers get

Not just decoration.

But:

  • a true unique piece
  • honest craftsmanship
  • humor with character
  • a piece of history
  • something that brings joy for a long time

Many of our customers immediately recognize how much work goes into each piece – and laugh at sayings that fit life perfectly.

Thank you

Thank you for supporting small handmade businesses.

Thank you for appreciating things with soul.

Thank you for making Holzgesprochen possible.

Manuela & Holzgesprochen
Erftstadt, NRW

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