Meet our Artisans

Handmade Crafts from Fuzhou, China

Friday, December 11, 2009

We view our artisans as partners and look for like-minded organizations that are just as committed to their employees, community, and the environment as they are dedicated to great quality and interesting design. The company below lives up to our expectations and makes some of our favorite items including our Did Someone Say Drama Candleholder, Fleur de Lis Iron Shelf, French Shopkeeper's Shelves, and Bird Nests.

This company in particular bases their success on how much they can contribute to society, which to them, is the ultimate meaning of life. The chairman has business operations in over 30 countries around the world with 1,500 employees. Besides being an entrepreneur, the chairman helps society understand the vitality of education. He was forced to quit school at a very early age in order to provide for his family and yet he still persevered. He sensed the low conditions of education in his town with so many parents working and neglecting their kids' education. Education, he firmly believed, is the cornerstone of success.

In 2002, he founded the MinHou Taojiang School, participating in the construction of the classrooms and student apartments, and purchasing the necessary technology and equipment. He recruited more than 70 teachers to come work and about 500 students are expected to receive a good education. The establishment serves as a benefit for most of the factory workers' children.

Not only is he providing education for children, he is also creating job opportunities for the unemployed. Furthermore, he participated in a bridge project in the Fujian Province. It is an important bridge that connects the Nantai Island and QingKou. Once it is completed, it will be the longest and widest bridge of the city zone in the history of Fuzhou.

Fuzhou is located in the northeast of the Fujian province of China. Although it is unknown when the city was founded, in 202 B.C. the first wall was built after the king of Minyue received permission from the emperor to set up a city. It was named "Ye" meaning "the beautiful." The city is also gifted in many types of crafts.

Handmade Books in Jaipur, India

Friday, October 9, 2009

This company was started when three young friends rented a booth at a trade fair 14 years ago to sell books and bags made of handmade paper. This Indian artisan has grown great lengths since then and now specializes in handmade paper, bags, books, and leather products. They are located in Jaipur, India and also have a small group of designers and workers from a small village outside of Jaipur.

This company supports Umang, a charity project for the rehabilitation of children with mental and physical disabilities. The project ensures the children's inclusion in the tasks and events of everyday life.

Jaipur was planned according to principles of Hindu architectural theory. It is one of the best-organized cities in Asia. When the Prince of Wales visited Jaipur in 1853, the whole city was painted pink. Because of this, Jaipur is known as the "pink city" because of its distinctive look and the fact that many streets, parks, and buildings are still painted pink today.

This company makes our Embroidered Gift Journals!

Handcrafted Piece from New Delhi, India

We support artisans who have a dedication to helping people from all over the world. This organization has a 12-point program to do just that. This program includes creating women-led livelihood programs that provide necessary business and life skills, growth opportunities for the women and their children, and ensuring a healthy and equal work environment. They provide a fair distribution of employment opportunities for these women as well.

Located in the Surya Nagar and Shahid Nagar communities of New Delhi, India, this special organization provides employment for people an area characterized by high rates of unemployment and slum dwellers, a high number of sweat shops that involve women and children, and a lack of affordable schools. They are doing what they can to make life better for people in these communities.

New Delhi is a cosmopolitan city due to the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural presence of the vast Indian bureaucracy and political system. The city's capital status has amplified the importance of national events and holidays. National events such as Independence Day and Gandhi's Birthday are celebrated with great enthusiasm in New Delhi and the rest of India. On India's Independence day (August 15) the Prime Minister of India addresses the nation from the Red Fort. Most Delhiites celebrate the day by flying kites, which is considered a symbol of freedom. Products from this organization include our Triangle Edged Pillow, our Daisy Console, and our Vintage File Folder.

Handmade Decorative Bottles

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The daughter of a draftsman father and an artist/oil painter mother, our friend Cheryl has art in her blood. Her mother taught her to crochet at age 6, and she taught herself to sew her own clothes at age 13. She grew up in a beach town, and much of that scenery would become inspiration for her artwork.

Her love for anything creative grew over the years. She did macrame, china painting, pottery, seashell mirrors, and stained glass boxes with seashell lids. In the early 80s, she learned to make stained glass windows in a friend's garage, and when she built her house, she made 23 stained glass windows for it.

She has loved and collected antiques for many years. Every time she finds a great old bottle, she feels it's like a work of art. Cheryl departed from her love of art to support her children in the corporate world, but it has been her dream to do something creative again. These bottles are the result of that dream.

Cheryl makes our Message on Bottle and our Antique Bottles with Stone Toppers.

Handmade Crafts in Kathmandu, Nepal

Monday, July 20, 2009

This particular organization does everything they can to support local artists purely for the sake of art, for all of its eminence, distinction, and overall virtue. Unfortunately, the art and craft is disappearing due to insufficient order of production. And with the global economic crisis, less work is available for skilled art and craft workers. The workers, who are mostly middle aged men and women, need to support their family with their earnings. Moreover, they are worried that the new generation will not inherit the skill of art, since it is taught from one family generation to the next.

This company supports and motivates their craftsmen in anyway possible so that they keep their skill of art alive. Not affiliated with any non-governmental organization, this organization is dedicated to providing work for the jobless, unskilled, yet motivated, elderly men and women.

Kathmandu, the Capital of Nepal, is a cosmopolitan city and has the most advanced infrastructure among urban areas. It is home to many of the government offices, embassies, and palaces and has been popular with western tourists since the 1960s when it became a key spot along the hippie trail. Most of the hippies gathered in the tranquil surroundings of Freak Street, consists of two parallel streets attracting tourists with shops, restaurants, and little hotels. Situated in the heart of the Himalaya Mountains, Kathmandu is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Handmade Accessories From Pampanga Province, Philippines

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

This company below lives up to our expectations and makes some of our favorite items including our Petit Sunburst Mirror, our Mexican Retablos, our Native American Chief Weather Vane, and our Handcarved Carousel Horse.

Family-oriented, this company is run by a mother, her daughter, and her son. They promote the careers of both current and former employees. It supports continuing education and helps employees pursue their career dreams.

Another interesting aspect of the company is the scholarship program, open for all employees' children. In order to provide the best possible education for all employees' children, the owner set up the scholarship program to provide full tuition for children ranging in age from pre-kindergarten to college. The program's first scholar is currently in her third year of graduate school studying veterinary sciences.

This company was founded in Manila, a city in the Pampanga province in the Philippines. The Pampanga province was the first province established by the Spaniards in 1571, and because of this, it is one of the richest, both culturally and fiscally. It is known for its culinary industry, with well-known and exotic foods originating from this area. Also, this region hosts the Giant Lantern Festival each December on the Saturday before Christmas Eve, the Philippine International Hot-Air Balloon Festival in February, and a re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus each Good Friday in the capital city of San Fernando, making it a popular tourist destination.

Our Quite Celestial Mirror and our Book Boxes

This company has a growing number of artisans creating beautiful accessories. Meet some of their employees:

Ferdinand is the head of the handpainting and finishing division. He was born in Nueva Ecija, Philippines and is 40 years old.

Ferdinand began working with this company in 1992 and joined the company full-time in 1999. In 2003, he moved into the Product Development Department as a prototype painter/finisher. He was promoted to head of the handpainting and finishing division in 2007. Painting for over 20 years, he began painting in school and has developed his skills further through his professional career.

When asked about what he enjoys most about working for this company, he said, "This is my dream job; I love to paint! Plus, I really enjoy the challenge of developing new finishing techniques for our projects and collections."

Frederick is head of the carving division and is the master carver. He was born in Baguio City, Philippines and is 34 years old.

He has have been working with this company for over 12 years, but has been carving for over 20 years.

Frederick started carving when he was 12 years old. He was taught by his father, who had him start with very simple items. When he was about 15 years old, he began to practice carving figures and faces on his own. One day, his father challenged him to carve a santo figure from a photograph. When he produced the figure exactly, he was proud to realize that he had achieved a certain level of skill as a carver. It was then that he decided to make carving his craft and profession.

What he enjoys most about working for this company is that they always have new and different items to work on, and he enjoys learning or developing new techniques. He also appreciates the emphasis the design group places on getting details right.

Roland is head of the tinsmith division and is the tin prototype maker. He was born in Palawan, Philippines and is 34 years old.

Roland has been working for this company for 7 years, but began working with tin about 10 years ago. He was fortunate enough to develop his skills through his work experience, including an apprenticeship under master tinsmiths at this company.

Roland loves his work. He says he enjoys seeing prototypes develop from the time they handmake the jig to when the finished product is displayed in the Wisteria catalog. He says, "It's very satisfying to be part of the process."

Felt-Making in Jaipur, India

We view our artisans as partners and look for like-minded organizations that are just as committed to their employees, community, and the environment as they are dedicated to great quality and interesting design. The company below lives up to our expectations and makes some of our favorite felt items including the Raggamuffin House, the Felt Animal Set, and the Egg Cups and Covers.

Located in Jaipur, India, this company's vision was born from the desire to strengthen the artisan community in India by promoting traditional crafts, particularly the art of making felt. Only a few communities in rural India still practice this ancient tradition and the craft was on the verge of becoming obsolete. This company employees more than 150 women felt makers or "pinjaras". Because they have families to care for, most of the women would not be able to work outside their homes. In collaboration with a UNICEF supported program, this vendor provides skill-building jobs and allows the artisans to care for their children and households while working in their homes. The opening, dyeing, cutting, and stitching of wool is done by these talented women.

Jaipur was planned according to principles of Hindu architectural theory. It is one of the best-organized cities in Asia. When the Prince of Wales visited Jaipur in 1853, the whole city was painted pink. It is known as the Pink City because of its distinctive look and the fact that many streets, parks, and buildings are still painted pink today.

This company has a growing number of artisans creating beautiful accessories. Meet some of their employees:

Poonam joined this company to get incremental income for family and better education for her family. She is mainly responsible for training new staff and for quality control. She has been with this company for five years. She is 34, married, and has two sons. Her husband has a teashop.

Rookmni has been a part of this company for five years and responsible for quality control. Over the course of her time here, she has gained self-confidence and has added to the financial earning of her family. She is 29, married, and has two sons.

Heera is responsible for quality control at this company. Since she began working at this company five years ago, she is much more bold and confident. She is married, does not have children, and her husband works at a furniture showroom.

Neetu has the privilege of being a part of new sample development and quality control. She has gained confidence in her personal and professional life working at this company. She is 28, married, and has two sons.

Kamlesh works on many of the applique jobs in this company. Through his talents, he has been able to provide funds for the education of his younger brothers. He is 21 and has been a part of this company for two years.

Rajesh has been called the backbone of this company. He is the manager of quality control, is a trainer, and has several other roles within the company. He is 31 years old and has learned so much over the course of his nine years with this company.

Omprakash is the head of the sampling department and works with Wisteria's design development team to create new products. He is 27 years old and has been with this company for five years.

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