Donido.art – About us

Do-Ni-Do

We are Donido.art — Do stands for Domi, and Ni for Niko. We’re a married couple behind the whole project. The second Do in our name comes from Japanese and
means “the way.” So Donido means Domi’s and Niko’s way — our way. We are people who truly love Nature, from the bottom of our hearts. For more than 10 years, we’ve been connected to Svalbard. Over this time, we’ve experienced the archipelago from the very south to the far north — we even got married at 80° N! We’ve worked in many different roles here — from science to tourism. One of us was a meteorologist at the Polish Polar Station in Hornsund, and we’ve also worked as guides, cooks, and even taxi drivers when needed! Niko – Graphic designer, chef, guide, dog lover Domi – Meteorologist at Hornsund Polar Station (2015/16), guide, scientist
In 2019, we started crafting as a hobby, using reindeer antlers.
The positive feedback from people inspired us to continue and grow.
Three years later, we opened our workshop at the Spitsbergen Artists Center in Nybyen, Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Svalbard, with all its beauty, has become part of our hearts.
But it’s also a place facing great challenges — the climate is changing, temperatures are rising, glaciers are disappearing,
and animals struggle to adapt. When we create, Svalbard is our motivation. We use ecological materials and biodegradable packaging.
If you’re thinking about getting something special for yourself
or a loved one, maybe you’ll find meaning in one of our handmade products.

Materials we work with

Antlers
Both male and female reindeer grow antlers, and every year they shed them naturally — no animals are harmed. Each year the antlers grow back, larger than before. We collect them during hikes around Longyearbyen, always respecting national parks where collecting is not allowed. From antlers, we create jewelry and souvenirs — each piece unique and light enough to travel by plane.
Our antler jewelry has already traveled across Europe, the U.S., Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, and even Namibia, where a local tribe appreciated it deeply.
Take a piece of Svalbard’s wilderness with you — and let it remind you of this magical place wherever you go.
Coal
Svalbard has a long mining history, and coal is a symbol of that heritage. With the local coal industry now ended, coal has become even more meaningful to us. It also tells the story of the time when Svalbard was covered by forests — coal is ancient, transformed wood, up to 50 million years old. Wearing coal jewelry is like carrying a piece of Svalbard’s history with you.
Cartridges
In Svalbard, everyone traveling outside town must know how to handle a rifle — not for hunting, but for protection from polar bears. We collect spent cartridges from shooting practice and transform them into jewelry. Each earring or necklace made from a cartridge is a reminder that Svalbard is wild, beautiful, and sometimes dangerous.
Wood
Over time, we’ve also explored other materials. From wood, we cut small flowers or animals from Svalbard’s nature, then hand-paint and varnish them for protection. Each piece celebrates local flora and fauna, with both English and Latin names on the packaging. Svalbard can be colorful and full of life — and, for example, our Svalbard poppy earrings pair beautifully with a summer dress!:)
Resin
Sometimes we use resin as a glue or artistic medium. By combining antler and coal powder, we recreate abstract patterns inspired by satellite images of Svalbard — the shapes of sea ice, rivers, and snowy mountains seen from above. Next time you look out of a plane window, you might recognize these forms. Wouldn’t you like to have a piece that captures that breathtaking view?
Wax
Our wax creations began as a side project, born from our love and admiration for polar bears. Watching these majestic animals inspired us to create something gentle yet powerful — the polar bear candle. We use natural soy wax, blended with a touch of recycled wax collected from the Svalbard Church’s leftover candles — giving new life to something once used in prayer. Each candle carries a piece of Svalbard’s spirit — wild, pure, and sacred. In our own home, we have a small family of polar bear candles decorating our bathroom. They bring warmth, peace, and a touch of Arctic magic. Wouldn’t you like to have your own bear to brighten the long winter evenings?

Feel free to contact us

Have a question about our creations, an order, or a collaboration?
Please get in touch — we’ll be happy to assist you.
We do our best to respond as soon as possible.