This week, I am delighted to feature the work of Creative Women. They have been building sustainable partnerships with skilled artisans since 2007, gracefully combining modern designs with traditional production methods, using the finest recycled and sustainably harvested materials. If you are a retailer or large wholesaler looking to find a new partner for wooden home accents, this is a great source!

Creative Women has two strong new collections that we wanted to share with you. This is the first of two emails we'll be sharing this month. 

I am delighted to spotlight one of today’s hottest independent retailers. PORTA brings together European tableware and home furnishings, with a focus on local craft, independent artisans, unique designs, and everyday use.  I was delighted to interview Alice Russotti, one of the co-founders of PORTA, earlier this month. The brand she and her co-founder Francesca have created always surprises me in the subtle ways it pairs traditional textiles and ceramics with contemporary flair. It's an artful balance that’s hard to achieve, but they do it so.
 
During the interview, we chat about running a small business, sourcing inspiration, marketing techniques, and her favorite spots in NYC. Alice didn't hold back when sharing her insights and wisdom.

I am delighted to circle back with a longtime colleague and friend Sara Berks of MINNA this month. I've worked with Sara over the years, and during that time, I’ve watched her company grow leaps and bounds. She started with just a few small lines of rugs and pillows from Guatemala and has since opened up a brick-and-mortar shop in Upstate New York and developed one of the leading artisan brands in the US. What sets MINNA apart – beyond the soulfulness of its art direction, the quality of its products, and the fantastic storytelling – is the cohesiveness of her brand. Sara and her team have developed a signature style that is seen all the way through, from conception to execution, from product designs to how each new collection is thoughtfully photographed. As I work with brands, I always stress the value of strong photography. I am delighted to feature Sara this week as a primary example of someone who has built a strong brand identity through design, photography, and storytelling. Dive into our interview here - I hope you enjoy it. 

Today, we start with glassware, which Palestine is famous for. We traveled to Hebron (a village just outside Jerusalem) to meet with some of the area’s few remaining glassblowers. One artist that I met had over 54 years of experience. Their work is an eye-catcher, especially the iconic cobalt blue.

As many of you know, I have partnered up with New World Crafts, an online fair and sourcing platform featuring the work of artisan producers and brands from Guatemala and throughout Central America. This week, I’d like to share the work of Itza Wood, an enterprise that is featured on the New World Crafts online platform and that I am very proud to represent personally.

This week we dive into indigo ikat, designed by a French brand that I am repping who works with artists in Guatemala and Mexico. There is so much to explore within their full collection but I wanted to start by sharing this stunning fabric.
The indigo used in this collection originated in the Americas. For thousands of years, communities used this blue color in pottery, murals, and textiles. The dye is extracted from a plant called anil. To produce the dye in Oaxaca, leaves are cut, crushed, and fermented in water for 20 days in a clay jar placed in the sun.