As you’ve seen throughout the last few weeks, Kashmir is home to a wealth of creative craft traditions. I’m delighted to share one more with you. This new collection celebrates the art of crewel embroidery. It was created in partnership with Aid to Artisans/ Creative Learning, Rangustra enterprise, and the Nooraari Crafts Producer Company. The designer is Hemangini Rathore Singh. The end goal was not only to create a beautiful export-ready collection but also to build market employment opportunities to help keep this ancient art alive for future generations of Kashmiri artists. This colorful collection was inspired by the hues and motifs which remind us of summer, working with both cotton and silk that allow the fine embroidery work to shine.

The second of the four new 'Made in Kashmir' collections is a beautiful Papier-Mâché line designed by the Aid to Artisans/Creative Learning (ATA) team and Aviva Maya Shulem Design NYC, crafted by artists in Kashmir. I am delighted to promote this project with the support of ATA, to help create market opportunities for artists in India.

This collection resonates with a sense of innovation, environmental sensitivity, and aesthetic timelessness as the artists transform recycled paper pulp and wood into gorgeous decorative accents for your clients’ homes. The process doesn't require the use of any electricity as the pieces are made entirely by hand. The artists work with upcycled materials and use natural sunlight for drying. Sasha Association for Craft Producers a non-profit organization, is facilitating this project alongside the Zadibal Craft Producer Company in Kashmir.

This month, I'm so excited to bring another interview to you, this time speaking with Haley Seidel, Vice President of Design and Development for The Citizenry. In my eyes The Citizenry is one of the leading artisan brands in the field today. They design and curate a thoughtful assortment of items for the home, made by talented artists around the globe. It’s been such a joy to watch this company grow over the years. I met the founder Carly in Guatemala eight years ago when she was just brainstorming her dream. Then a year later, I reconnected with Carly and her business partner Haley in New York, and their concept was already coming to life in such a strategic and beautiful way. They saw a place in the market for their vision of artisan goods, designed exclusively for their brand. Years later, they now have not only a leading home decor brand creating real impact for the artisan sector but also a newly opened shop in the heart of SOHO. They continue to inspire the field and their consumers.

This week, I am excited to continue my promotion of talented enterprises exhibiting at the New World Crafts online fair, a wonderful sourcing opportunity for those interested in working with artists from Guatemala and throughout Central America. The work of these two vendors – La Casa Cotzal and Topis Ceramica – really stands out to me so I wanted to share a bit more about each of them.

Over the next few months, I am delighted to partner up with the New World Crafts Fair based in Guatemala, a wonderful sourcing trade show in Antigua, Guatemala, offering a unique chance to connect directly with talented artists from Guatemala and throughout South America. And ultimately, highlight the unique products and export ready artisan enterprises at this show.

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.