Apart from the traditional varieties like the Dappa, gophu (small multi purpose bowl), laphu (bowls used by monks), ema tsiku (pickle bowl), japhop (bowl for tea or curry) the dappa makers also produce tiffin, jugs, plates, cups, spoons, soup bowls, gift pieces and dinner sets as per customer demands.

The collection of the raw materials, the hardwood belonging to Acer species or Rhododendron begins in February and March. Local craftsman cut the trees into crude shapes, and bring them to the village. The pieces are roughly carved and soaked in cold water for three months to rid the (wood) smell and strengthen the wood after which it is dried over fire and left in the sun for about one month. After two weeks, it is boiled in water as it makes it easier to straighten the awkward curves and grains. By June the actual carving begins. The rough shapes are spun on the pedal lathe or the electricity operated motors and smoothen with the leaves of the sog sog pas shrub (trema poitoria) which is similar to sand paper. Colour is then added with imported dyes from India.

The finishing touches are done by using se’, a plant sap collected only in August and September from the Rhus Succedanea tree to polish the wood and fix the colour. The se’ is considered the soul of the product and cannot be preserved or stored easily. By October the products are ready for sale. The best and most invaluable items are those carved from abnormal outgrowths along the trunk that resemble nodes known as bou (cest) and za (burr) in the craft. Both fetch very high prices compared with those made from other parts of the trunk.

On an average, the makers invest about Nu.50, 000 to Nu.200, 000 each season, for raw materials, transportation and labour. They pay a royalty of Nu. 480 for a small tree and Nu. 1000 for bigger trees.

A Dappa can cost anything between Nu. 300 to several thousand Ngultrums. The Quality is measured in terms of wood, marks, colour, finish, and uniqueness. Specially crafted works are saved as family heirlooms. The Dappa makers admit that they collect the raw materials from Lhuntshe, Wangdiphodrang, Trongsa, Chukha and Dagana because the raw materials from the nearby areas had exhausted.

Wood items require at least ten seven coats of lacquering but local producers use just five coats, which soon wane away, and give way to damage by insects and other elements. Prices of woodcrafts have however, steeply increased. A local Business estimates that it has tripled in the last ten years. A dappa, which costs Nu. 250 in 1990, now commands about Nu.800. And when it reaches Thimphu show rooms it is twice the price. Many of the new products have become popular among the urban households for the unique look it gives to the dining table.