Heather Jane
The Founder and Creative Director of 8th of August (0808). My journey with hemp began in a place of necessity but quickly turned into a new life changing passion. A mission to create a fully sustainable, hemp-based alternative to traditional ceramics & furniture, and which quickly led to the vision of building our own hemp homes and fully styling and furnishing them with our hemp based home decor & furniture. I fell in love with the revolutionary plant, hemp.
How It Started
As a ceramic artist in South Africa for over 13 years, I relied on a kiln that needed eight uninterrupted hours of electricity to fire my work. But with constant power cuts known as loadshedding, producing ceramics became impossible. That frustration led me down a rabbit hole of research, and what I discovered changed everything.
The ceramics industry, while beautiful, is incredibly harmful to the environment. Firing kilns requires enormous amounts of energy, and the process generates high carbon emissions. Not to mention the toxic glazing process. I knew there had to be a greener way. That’s when I found hempcrete.
Unlike traditional ceramics, hempcrete doesn’t require a kiln. It naturally sets over time, making it an eco-friendly, zero-energy alternative. But there was one problem: traditional hempcrete takes 4 to 6 weeks to cure, which wasn’t practical for a fast-paced production environment.
Determined to make hempcrete viable for home decor, I spent close to a year experimenting tweaking formulations, testing ratios, and refining processes. Eventually, with a lot of sleepless nights, I developed a proprietary mix that cures in just 1 – 3 days, is lightweight, incredibly durable, and has a stunning ceramic-like finish! That was the moment everything changed. I was now able to offer the world the first real sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional ceramics and explore contemporary furniture design. The possibilities became endless!
Expanding the Vision
What started as a solution for home decor soon expanded into something much bigger. I realized that hemp isn’t just an alternative to ceramics, it has the potential to replace some of the most harmful materials in both interior design and construction.
That’s when I teamed up with my father, Carl Smith as an expert in sustainable and renewable energy to explore the possibility of creating load-bearing hemp-based building blocks. As my co-founder, my dad and I started experimenting with materials and ways to make traditional hempcrete blocks, typically used as insulating materials, fully load-bearing. We wanted to build homes with hemp without the need for wooden frames or mortar. Just good old bio-based, all-natural hemp blocks. After months of testing, we finally developed hemp-based, interlocking, load-bearing building blocks. Strong, sustainable, and ready to revolutionize construction and make it possible to build entire homes from hemp. From the structure to the furniture, to the decor.
For the first time globally, we’re creating a complete hemp-based home solution. We’re not just selling products; we’re pioneering an industry shift proving that sustainability, aesthetics, and durability can coexist and hemp is the reason why.
Our Mission
At 0808, we’re on a mission to redefine how we build and furnish our homes. We believe that:
- Homes should be made from materials that heal the planet, not harm it.
- Sustainability should never come at the cost of beauty and quality.
- Hemp has the power to create jobs, reduce carbon footprints, and transform industries.
Our vision is to scale 0808 into a global leader in hemp-based design and construction bringing sustainable solutions to homes and businesses worldwide.
Our Products are Proudly
Durable
Becomes stronger over time while remaining lightweight.
Non-Toxic
Safe for indoor use, with zero harmful emissions.
Zero Energy Consumption
No kilns or electric tools required for production.
High-End Aesthetic
A ceramic-like finish that complements any interior style.
Zero Waste
Every step of our process minimizes waste, from production to packaging.
Water-Tight
Naturally water-resistant, making it suitable for a variety of applications.
Fire-Resistant
Withstands high temperatures, offering enhanced fire safety.
Carbon Negative
Actively absorbs CO₂ over its lifetime, reducing carbon footprints.
Thermal Regulating
Helps maintain stable indoor temperatures, reducing energy costs.
Biodegradable
Breaks down naturally at the end of its life cycle, leaving no toxic waste.
Recyclable
Can be repurposed and reintegrated into new production, ensuring sustainability.
Join the Movement Today
This is more than a business, it’s a movement. We’re redefining sustainability, transforming industries, and proving that hemp is the future. And we’re just getting started.
Join us in building a world where innovation meets nature, and where every creation makes a difference.
Contact us today to learn more about our partnership options and licensing opportunities.