1. Handmade
The obvious main criteria is that the product is made by hand. We are learning a lot along the way and we hope to open your eyes to the many diverse craftspeople across Europe. Amongst the artisans highlighted you will find ceramicists, jewellery makers, glass blowers, woodcarvers, knitters, designers, painters and more. There are many ways to work with your hands and we realize we are just scratching the surface. In case you know of a local artisan, please feel free to drop us an email with their name.
2. Keep it local
Equally important is that the artisan is located in Europe and their products are made in Europe too. Designed here and made there? No problem. As long as both locations are in Europe. Bonus points are given to those who source their materials locally as well.
3. Genius Loci
We intend to promote all product categories, including home goods, fashion, beauty, children’s goods, and maybe even food! It is a large range, therefore the ethos of the makers is equally as important as their final product. Simply said, we’re suckers for a good story. Behind every product in our edit, there is a person or a team with something to say and we intend to share it.
4. Discovery
We would like to shine a light on some of the lesser-known artists. That’s why we scour all corners of Europe, highlighting a diverse range of artisans and products. Yes, some brands may be known in their own local lands, but we hope we can help them cross those borders and grow their international audience. To find these smaller artisans, we would appreciate your help. We are always open to tips and would love to hear about your favorite local finds.
5. Design
Whether elegant in its simplicity or brash and bold, we would not like to exclude any amazing find from our list simply because it doesn’t fit our color scale or age bracket. Simply put, we love all things beautiful.
6. Sustainable practices
Just because it’s handmade, doesn’t mean it’s ethically made. This is something we understand and highly appreciate and respect. When searching for our makers we try to take a deeper dive into where they source their materials, what methods they use, and how sustainable the product is for our planet. When we see someone doing something good, we will highlight their achievements.