Annie O. Waterman

The mesmerizing artistry of Horezu ceramics: a peek inside a master’s atelier in Romania. The artists in Horezu leave a mark on you… When you step into their atelier, it’s a glimpse into their universe—their family lineage, their unique styles, their stories. I’ll be sharing more about how to source from these talented artists over on AOW Insider. The link is in my IG profile. And to travel to Romania via the lens of artisans and culture, be in touch! #aowhandmade#aowinsider#membership#sourcehandmade

Theme: Mediterranean — featuring some of my fave artisan brands, addresses, and places across the Mediterranean over on AOW Insider this month:) 🌊 ☀️

An excerpt from my latest interview with master weaver Elisavet R. of @tsakonika__ifanta , based in the Peloponnese 🇬🇷, where we discuss the role and responsibility she feels as the sole family preserving her region’s textile traditions, how she balances running a business in this field, and the importance of safeguarding living cultural heritage. It’s honest and heartfelt. You can read the full interview — along with hundreds more artisan stories focused on craft and heritage — over on AOW Insider via the link in my profile.

A lovely moment with a family of artisans in Barcelos ❤️ Discover the many incredibly master-level artisans of this region + more, over on the AOW Insider platform—link in bio. Stories about travel, craftsmanship, artisans, and responsible sourcing. #ceramic#tradition#craft#artisans#portugal#culturalheritage #héritage 📷 @annieowaterman

“I began weaving at the age of five. Back then, it was a shared time with my grandmother and my mother for playing. I did not realize how rare and fragile this knowledge was. For many years, weaving was undervalued, and it was almost impossible to sustain a life through handicrafts. I feel deeply fortunate, not only because my grandmother began this family’s tradition, but because my mother became the essential link that kept it alive. Her generation was the one where everything could have been lost. Despite the fact that my grandmother had more than fifty students in our region, none continued except my mother. That realization changed everything for me. If my mother stopped this tradition, the authentic weaving of Tsakonian kilims would disappear. I chose to dedicate myself fully to this path, not only to preserve it, but to reintroduce it, and to inspire young people to see its value and continue it into the future.” - Elisavet R. @tsakonika__ifanta Read the full interview with @tsakonika__ifanta over on AOW Insider. Link in my IG profile #greektextiles#greekcraftsmanship #greece#kilims#textile

An excerpt from my recent conversation with Elisavet Rodopoulou of @tsakonika__ifanta , a 3rd-generation weaver from Penolpoesse, Greece. AOW: What do you wish more people to know about you and your mother’s beautiful work? “For many years, tradition was something that people unfortunately dismissed. It was often seen as outdated, even discouraging, for someone to engage with it. There is still a common misunderstanding that ‘traditional’ means something irrelevant or belonging only to the past. What I truly wish people understood about our workshop is that we chose to continue this path with patience and persistence, carrying traditional techniques into the present. For us, tradition is what connects us to the past and at the same time guides us into the future. We do not forget what was passed down to us by our grandmothers. We carry this knowledge forward and transmit it to the next generations with a fresh perspective, while remaining faithful to the authenticity of the techniques. This path has never been easy. But it is not impossible. Creation, in itself, is a powerful force — it requires commitment, but it also gives meaning. And for us, this is exactly what keeps this work alive.”— Elisavet Rodopoulou, 3rd generation weaver from Penolpoesse, Greece. In my latest interview, Elisavet shares her full story as the sole family continuing to preserve traditional Tsakonian textiles in mainland Greece. During our conversation, we dive into how she juggles running this as a business, what drives her, along with challenges - she shares so much with us. Hope you enjoy. The full interview is available via AOW Insider, alongside in-depth conversations with artisans, monthly features on remarkable makers and brands, sourcing stories, craft guides, industry interviews, and more. Link in my profile. #greece#textiles#traditionalcraft#peloponnese #kilim

New MAY Insider posts are now live! From a summer sourcing edit to some of my fave artisan addresses and ateliers throughout the Mediterranean - enjoy! Plus, a special story and interview with a master weaver from mainland Greece, the sole family in her region to preserve and continue her region’s weaving heritage. An inspiring and insightful read! Access all posts by becoming an AOW Insider member. Link in my IG profile.

Showing my mom some of my fave spots throughout Alentejo, including the work of Pirraça Artesanato who makes sweet one-of-a-kind ceramics inspired by his surroundings ❤️ To discover a world of craft, talented artisans, makers, and handmade sources, head over to AOW Insider. Link in my IG profile xx #artisan#handcrafted#madeinportugal#traditionalcraft #heritage#pottery#handmadecrafts #artisanal

Alentejo 🍊 🐑 #aowhandmadetravels 📷 @annieowaterman

Sara Berks of @__portals reflects on 12 years of building her artisan brand called MINNA—what worked, what didn’t, and what she would have done differently. Plus, her insights into the artisan sector. Sara shared many valuable business insights and honest reflections with readers this month. Thank you, Sara. Head over to AOW Insider to read the full interview. Link in my profile xx #artisanbusiness #artisanbrand#minna #artisan#handcrafted

This week over on AOW Insider, I’m honored to share an interview with a longtime friend and colleague, Sara Berks @__portals ! Sara is the founder of MINNA, an innovative, forward-thinking artisanal brand based in New York that collaborates with artisans throughout Central and South America. After 12+ years of building MINNA, Sara made the extremely difficult decision to close her shop doors late last year. Sara approached her business as a designer and maker, not as a traditional importer, carving her own path in building MINNA into a brand that straddles the artisan sector and the world of luxury home goods, which, as she says, “is an interesting place to live.” She's a leader in the field, having built a brand that was both design-led and impact-driven, with a defined clientele, beautiful photography, unique designs, and partnerships with top designers and retailers around the globe. A year after closing her doors, Sara openly shares with readers what led to her decision. Read the full interview over on AOW Insider - #minna #artisanbrand#artisanaltextiles#hometextiles #aowinsider #textile #homedecorating

Here’s a little peek at some of the gorgeous ceramic pieces we hand-selected straight from the kiln, made by a master potter family in Andalusia. My partner, whom I represent, and I had the pleasure of witnessing the firing of these ceramics, which happens just about once a year, a time when the family and community come together. A ritual that binds. To see what we have curated and available for immediate shipping, supporting the work masters work, be in touch. XX