Talented and driven, Melissa Moriarty of Azulina Home kindly shared her story and the lessons learned after making the difficult decision to close her doors. Melissa and I met in Colombia many years ago, and I’ve really enjoyed following her progress. Running an artisan brand is challenging, and we shouldn't sugarcoat it. Despite the difficulties, Melissa worked tirelessly as a one-person show, navigating tight margins. She reflects on what she wishes she had done differently and there’s a lot of hard-earned wisdom in her insights.

It's not easy to share these experiences, especially after you've invested so much of your sweat, tears, and money into a venture. So, thank you, Melissa, for your openness in discussing your journey running an artisan textile brand.

As we watch what’s happening in the news, it’s hard to remain quiet, especially after spending significant time in Lebanon, the West Bank, and with colleagues in Gaza.

I understand that many of you want to show support and do more. I have compiled a list of artisan brands (retailers and wholesalers) from these regions who are doing incredible work in this sector. Please share this PDF with others who may appreciate it. These small businesses suffer from displacement, instability, and a significant decrease in sales due to the lack of local tourism.

Sayali Goyal, a cultural curator, visual artist, and the founder of Cocoa and Jasmine magazine and agency, recently released her new book, ‘Everyday Indian Aesthetic.’

The book is a collection of her travels across India over eight years, showcasing everyday design elements that reflect Indian sensibilities in materials, colors, architecture, interiors, typography, and traditional attire.

Expect to see a variety of colors, textures, patterns, furniture, and objects made of materials like metal, stones, fiber, wood, and clay. The book also features retail displays from small shops in bazaars and inspiration for home interiors. With over 400 curated images, the book highlights key themes open to interpretations.

This month, I am delighted to interview Melissa Ventosa Martin, founder of Old Stone Trade (OST), a gorgeous brand elevating artisanal apparel and accessories to another level. She is paving a new way for artisanal goods to be presented as luxury items. Throughout our conversation, we dive into her founding story and learn more about the unique niche she is helping to spearhead.

This week, I'm delighted to share an inspiring conversation with Stacey Edgar, a long-time colleague who now serves as Executive Director at the International Folk Art Market (IFAM). IFAM, the world's largest juried folk-art market, is situated in the heart of Santa Fe. This year's show brought together 167 artisans from 51 countries, showcasing the finest folk art from master artists worldwide. It's both a retail show and a celebration of people, crafts, traditions, and cultures – it’s an incredible must-attend event. I spoke with Stacey about highlights, stand-out artists, discoveries, and how IFAM's experiential nature contributes to its great success.

This week, I am delighted to share an interview with Julie de Halleux of Lisbon By Design Fair, who was kind enough to share highlights from this year’s show, which took place in May.

Lisbon By Design Fair is an annual craft and design fair that celebrates the uniqueness and craftsmanship of Portuguese design. Each year, they feature pieces that are created specifically for the event that they have never seen before.