My love for handmade things began long before An Autumn Berry.
As a child, I grew up surrounded by creativity. My father has always been a talented painter and an even better sculptor. He carved beautiful pieces from wood, many of which I still treasure today. It always felt extraordinary to watch an ordinary piece of timber transformed into something full of life, character and story — a beautiful creation emerging from the wood beneath his hands.
My mother was equally creative. She spent countless hours knitting, crocheting and creating beautiful embroidered pieces, each stitch made with patience, care and pride. She not only taught my sister and me these skills but also shared them with others. I remember watching her after a long day at work, sitting down with her knitting or embroidery and happily spending the rest of the evening creating something beautiful. Looking back, I realise how much patience it required, but also how much joy it must have brought her.
Handmade objects were simply part of everyday life, and from an early age I learned to appreciate the time, skill and care that go into making something by hand.
Perhaps that is why I have always been drawn to artisan work. Not perfection, but character. Not mass production, but craftsmanship. The little imperfections, the hand-painted details, the weathered finishes and the stories behind each piece are often what make them truly special.
Sometimes I wonder about the hands that made these pieces. A carved wooden vase may sit quietly on a shelf in England, yet its story may have begun thousands of miles away in a small workshop where a craftsman carefully painted each detail by hand.
A metal fish hanging in a garden may have started life as discarded pieces of metal before being transformed into something beautiful by someone who saw possibility where others saw waste.
We often admire the finished object but rarely think about the person behind it. The hands that carved, painted, stitched, hammered, shaped or wove it. The skills learned from parents and grandparents. The traditions carried from one generation to the next.
In a world that moves increasingly fast, there is something rather wonderful about owning a piece that could not be rushed. A piece that required patience, skill and time.
Perhaps that is what draws me to artisan treasures. Not simply how they look, but the quiet reminder that beautiful things are still being made by hand.
This collection brings together artisan treasures discovered near and far. Pieces inspired by traditional craftsmanship, cultural heritage and generations of skilled makers. Some are handcrafted, some hand-finished, but all have been chosen for their individuality, charm and the sense that they have a story to tell.
At the moment, this collection is still quite small, with just a handful of carefully chosen pieces. But it is a collection I hope will grow over time.
One of my dreams is to travel more, discovering traditional craftsmanship and artisan workshops for myself. Every corner of the world has its own treasures, skills and creative heritage. From the woodcarvers of the Himalayas and Indonesia, the embroiderers of Ukraine and the handwoven textiles of Peru, to the potters of Portugal, Turkey and Japan, the lacquerware makers of Vietnam, the basket weavers of Thailand, the metal craftsmen of Nepal, the beadworkers of Africa and the folk artists of Mexico, there is something rather special about meeting the people behind these crafts and learning about the traditions they continue to keep alive.
These are, of course, only a few examples. The world is full of talented craftsmen and women, each carrying their own skills, traditions and stories, often passed down through generations.
Different materials, different techniques and different cultures — yet the same patience, creativity and pride can be found in all of them.
I hope you enjoy discovering them as much as I have enjoyed finding them.
Until next time…
Love,
AAB 🤍