Who are our HANDMADE to market members & mentors
Meet the members
The members featured below represent just a small part of our vibrant global community of over 60 artisan entrepreneurs from 27 countries.
AFRICA
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We import handmade goods crafted by artisans in multiple nations across Africa, and sell both wholesale to the trade and direct to consumer.
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Using traditional back strap loom and embroidery products from Mexico.
Middle east & Asia
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We improve the environment and empower communities through craft skills training.
MitiMeth was established to address the negative environmental and social impacts resulting from waste by creating new sustainable materials derived from invasive aquatic weeds and agricultural residues.
Rural communities in Nigeria have been affected by the infestation of water hyacinth infestation for decades. Our creative Founder, had an idea to transform this environmental menace into beneficial use. She befriended Artisans in the Sabo and Ojurin, Bodija communities of Ibadan who had knowledge weaving with doum palm and rattan. She worked closely with the Artisans to produce table tidiers and storage baskets: two fitting products to make from a tangled weed!
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Founded in 1996 and registered with the Nepal government under ‘small & cottage industries’, Rochak Hand knit Craft is a dedicated organization that has been providing high-quality hand knitted goods made from natural fibers for over 25 years.
Led by proprietor Mrs. Rukmani Devi Shrestha and her husband Rajendra Man Shrestha, the company has a talented team of experienced women artisans who craft unique and beautiful hand-made products with a distinct feel compared to their industrial counterparts.
With a mission to accelerate the world towards a sustainable ecosystem, Rochak Hand Knit Craft is committed to providing quality hand-knitted and crocheted products that are truly one-of-a-kind.
North america & Europe
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FAIR WEAVE is a social enterprise offering artisan-made textiles for home décor and wearable pieces while preserving traditional craftsmanship and practicing ethical manufacturing.
Our throw blankets, cushions, rugs, towels, scarves, and clothing are handcrafted with 100% natural and eco-friendly materials to create soft and comfortable textures. The beauty of natural landscapes inspires the creations to bring neutral and earthy colors to a feel-good home and your wardrobes.
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Maadili Collective fosters partnerships with small-scale artisan communities where opportunities are limited or non-existent in order to promote economic freedom and stability.
We are dedicated to co-create innovative designs intended to enhance skill levels, create a platform for artistic expression, and nurture genuine connections between artisans and customers. We have a commitment to adapt and grow with artisan partners, while celebrating their unique culture and craft.
Maadili Collective wholeheartedly believes that business has momentum to transform lives.
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We are creators of traditional Yucatecan clothing with exclusive designs made using machine embroidery.
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At Ankole Luxury, we take pride in the superior quality and artistry behind every piece. Our team of skilled artisans brings years of experience, having previously worked with global brands whose collections have featured in prestigious stores like Ashley Pittman, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman.
Ankole Luxury’s mission is to create sophisticated and fashionable handmade jewelery and bags which combines elegant design with high quality.
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Josemarie Nyagah is a visual artist who believes in the use of artistic mediums as tools to shift perceptions and craft inclusive transformation in our societies. She is ever curious about the vastness of the human experience and our connection with the planet. Having studied her BA in Peace and Conflict Resolution and with an Honours in Cinematography, she has found that storytelling methods can effectively be used to document and capture powerful, constructive narratives around diverse and often challenging topics.
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It is said that the threads of destiny are knitted by the intentions of the soul of the knitter. The hands that knitted this story, thus, did so with the dream of creating unique pieces designed with love and joy, resulting in exquisite knits created with the best materials that our land can offer.
This dream, together with the love that only a mother can give, makes HAMPAJ a bright light in a previously dark sky.
Everything was born from a dream, the dream of a little girl, the dream of women knitters.
HAMPAJ is a Quechua word meaning “for you.” Once upon a time there was an Inca Empire in South America. These kings of the Andes spoke a sweet language that is still alive in the Peruvian Andes: Quechua.
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Welcome to AltaadiR, a family-run workshop where heritage meets heart. Rooted in the rich traditions of Ukrainian craftsmanship, we create handcrafted wooden gifts with meaning. Each item — whether it’s a charred oak whiskey glass, a personalized gift box, or a rustic coaster — is made using time-honored techniques like fire-treatment, beeswax finishing, and hand engraving. These details bring soul to every piece.
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LUM is a slow fashion brand rooted in reverence , for heritage, for craftsmanship, and for the quiet power of handmade things.
Born between Paris and the highlands of Mexico, LUM exists to honor the artistry of Indigenous textile traditions and the women who carry them forward.
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Artisan International is a celebration of the global African Diaspora - its artistry, history, and heartbeat. We partner directly with artisans in Ghana, Uganda, Jamaica, Burkina Faso, and beyond to bring soulful, story-rich decor into your home.
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The Free Yezidi Foundation (FYF) supports the Yezidi community in the aftermath of the 2014 Yezidi Genocide. FYF promotes the rights and well-being of Yezidis in Iraq and the diaspora, with an emphasis on women’s empowerment, the pursuit of justice, and helping the community rebuild through trauma treatment, education, training, civic engagement, and economic development.
FYF organizational priorities are built on twin pillars: the rights of Yezidis and women and girls throughout Iraq.
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Almasi Couture is more than a brand; it's a celebration of excellent craftsmanship in leather, dedicated to preserving the handmade techniques that define the rich heritage of our communities. Our curated collection of bags reflects a fusion of culture presented in a contemporary and functional manner, paying homage to tradition while embracing modernity. At the heart of our work lies a commitment to positively impact the lives of our artisans, empowering them while safeguarding our cultural legacy. As a sustainable brand, Almasi Couture embraces #Zerowaste practices, repurposing offcuts to create unique pieces that not only contribute to a distinctive aesthetic but also demonstrate our dedication to environmental responsibility.
Central & South America
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Haiti Projects’ mission is to empower women and their families in Fond des Blancs, Haiti by providing access to jobs, healthcare, and education.
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We are a group of weaving artisans based in the village of Tolot Tolot - Lombok Tengah NTB. With our two main objectives to empowering the women of our village to be more independent by having their own income and to preserve the tradition of weaving which has been passed down from generation to generation.
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Namugongo Good Samaritan Organization (NGSO) is dedicated to empowering single mothers, teenage mothers, and widows in Uganda by providing hands-on skills and entrepreneurship training to produce high-quality, export-ready handcrafts.
We strive to create employment opportunities and increase income for these women, enabling them to contribute positively to their communities and the country’s economy.
Through our commitment to integrity, honesty, and transparency, we aim to reduce poverty, illiteracy, and health ignorance while embracing cultural heritage and protecting the environment.
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Each of our objects has been carefully handmade by a person from one of more than eighty indigenous communities from my home country, Colombia. Each embodies an ancestral tradition which values ritual, beauty, craftsmanship and function, as well as the attentive use of natural materials. It has been these qualities that have ignited my passion to showcase the creativity, splendor and diversity of Latin American artistry; the culmination of which is my Plaza Bolívar.
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Hi, my name is Linda, and I'm the SOULpreneur & social entrepreneur behind BATIQUA! As a proud Zimbabwean-born entrepreneur, I'm excited to share my amazing handmade textiles and artisan gifts with you. Batiqua's unique pillow covers, placemats, table runners, and wall hangings add beauty to any space!
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Isabel Infante is a textile artist and designer exploring the connections between craft, nature, and heritage. Her practice honors material knowledge and ancestral techniques, while her design work connects artisans with the global art and design landscape.
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NEST is an initiative based on sustainable trade to generate social, economic, and environmental benefits through the support and empowerment of women and artisan groups in Colombia who want to generate income through the development of artisan products.
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Woven threads is a design initiative to encourage the women of Nagaland to sustain their roots by preserving the unique tradition of weaving, while giving them wings of creativity and aspiration and providing a platform to support and mentor young weavers.
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Ralph is interested in working with artisanal salt and is just getting started! From this membership, he is hoping to learn how to start a sustainable community focused artisanal salt business that hopefully will sell locally and internationally.
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Magatte’s business has partnered with hundreds of women in two rural communities to make Senegalese baskets. She joined the membership for a much broader outlook, looking into new marketing and sales techniques, support for other artisanal projects, and more.
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Mayadori is a global artisanal sourcing and collaboration platform for home décor. We help makers become export-ready and connect them with international buyers through curated sourcing, export preparation, and custom product collaborations for boutique, retail, and design-led businesses.
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Our organization creates original, culturally rooted textile artworks and handcrafted products that celebrate Nigeria textile history, material traditions and design. Our product line includes home textiles and décor—such as wall hangings, pillows, table linens, and decorative fabric panels—alongside wearable arts. We work in one-of-kind, small-batch and large scale production. In addition, we offer community-based services through collaborative partnerships with women’s dyeing groups by supporting skill development, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment.
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Our organization explores textile techniques such as embroidery and weaving on both vertical and horizontal looms. We create utilitarian products as well as decorative items, including tapestries and framed textile artworks.
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We are a slow design boutique Mexican brand that produces Handmade furniture & accessories made with organic and natural materials with hardwood, fabric, fibers and sometimes natural stones like marble and granite.
Meet Some of our Membership mentors & Speakers
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Based in New York City - Social Entrepreneur / Social Impact / Design / Buyer Relations
Creative Marketing Consultant with 10+ yrs of experience specializing in mission artisan and brand development, handmade design, market sourcing, brand launch and merchandising.
Dondrill is a former Senior Producer and Marketing Consultant for NYNOW and American Handcrafted. She also has experience with global trend sourcing, senior content producer, podcast host, social impact and inclusion mission partner, buyer relations and sustainable design review committee.
Dondrill is also the Founder of Ahmesa,where the art of gathering by hand at home is artisan food, table décor, textiles and cooking beautifully inspires journeys.
Website: https://www.ahmesa.com/
Contact: dondrill.glover@gmail.com
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Based in Austria – Philanthropy / Community Development / Social Impact
Alina Serban has 8 years of experience at ERSTE Foundation, focusing on community development and social entrepreneurship across Central and Eastern Europe. In 2018, she founded co/rizom Verein, which she continues to lead. Her work centers on co-design, the commons, and participatory development to drive social and environmental change.
co/rizom Verein partners with artisan communities in Europe and beyond, offering incubation and capacity-building programs that preserve traditional crafts. They facilitate collaboration between artisans, designers, and experts—providing access to creative and market knowledge, production technologies, business tools, and international exposure.
Website: Homepage - Co/rizom
Contact: alina@corizom.org
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Based in France – Artisan Sourcing / Buyer Relations / Ethical Trade
Annie O. Waterman is the founder of AOW Handmade has spent the past 16 years traveling the globe, working to build relationships between artisan suppliers and retailers.
Annie lives a life in motion, continuously traveling to far-flung destinations to connect with new makers on the ground to discover unique handmade sources. Annie aims to bring buyers fresh, soulful, and competitive goods that are often difficult to track down.
Website: https://www.aowhandmade.com/
Contact: annie@aowhandmade.com
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Based in Washington DC - Training Director / Entrepreneur / International Development Expert
Lauren Barkume is the Training Director at HANDMADE to MARKET. Since joining in 2006, Lauren is an expert in international development, artisan programs and training. Lauren spent nearly 9 years based in South Africa working directly with entrepreneurs, artisans and small businesses in the region, developing community co-created programs, designing and running practical business skills workshops for small business owners, and working in collaboration with artisan communities across Southern Africa.
Lauren is also a photographer who has taken many of the images on this website. Lauren cares deeply about facilitating responsive, community driven development.
Contact: membership@creativelearning.org
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Based in New York City – Artisan Sourcing / Buyer Relations / Export Training
Nathalie Tancrede is a social entrepreneur and artisan advocate who enjoys working side by side with creatives to help them reach their highest potential.
Over the last decade, Nathalie used her expertise in capacity building, training, sales and marketing combined with her human resources management and operations skills to connect global brands such as Macy’s, West Elm, Anthropologie, and international designers to artisan communities around the world.
Nathalie collaborates with organizations like NYNOW, Creative Learning, Caribbean Export and more to lead tailored export marketing training to artisan enterprises seeking to reach global markets.
Contact: haitiepathways@gmail.com
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Based in New York City – Artisan Product Development & Design
Aviva Maya Shulem is a multidisciplinary designer and educator with over two decades of experience in luxury design and product development. A Parsons School of Design graduate, she built her career at companies including Donghia, Inc. and Swarovski LTD, designing furniture, lighting, and home accessories in collaboration with influential figures in art and design.
In 2014, she founded Aviva Maya Design, a consulting studio that partners with nonprofits and design studios on product development, brand strategy, and design management. She balances her studio work with teaching at Parsons and volunteering with IDSA’s disability department to promote inclusive, universal design. Her design philosophy celebrates artisanal craftsmanship while embracing digital fabrication and materials innovation, with research interests in human-centered design, biomaterials, and social responsibility.
Website: Aviva Maya Shulem Design
Contact: amshulem@gmail.com
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Based in New York City – Luxury Infused Consulting and Business Strategy for Brands
With over 15 years of experience in the luxury industry, Marilisa Barbieri is a seasoned professional managing a specialized consulting company that provides luxury business consulting and digital services.
She specializes in assisting creative entrepreneurs in elevating their brand presence, driving sales, and establishing online authority through strategic digital branding. Her approach is result-oriented, prioritizing profitability and growth. Through a range of courses, workshops, and programs, she guides clients in developing well-structured business plans to achieve sustainable growth.
Beyond coaching, she actively collaborates with organizations such as Positive Luxury, NEST, The Luxury Institute, NY NOW, Maison & Object, Tory Burch Foundation, and more.
Her engagements encompass sustainability advising, mentoring, and leading workshops at institutions like the Design & Decoration Building, Pacific Design Center, and New York School of Interior Design.Website: Marilisa Barbieri Website
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Based in New York City –Fashion Wholesale Consultant & Artisan Business Strategist
Susan Soriano brings over 10 years of fashion industry experience across luxury and contemporary brands in the USA and Italy, having worked with prestigious companies including Lacoste, Brunello Cucinelli, and Prada. Her comprehensive background spans the entire fashion business cycle - from design and product development to wholesale and retail operations.
With international experience in both American and Italian markets, Susan understands the complete product journey from concept to consumer. She now specializes in helping artisan entrepreneurs successfully enter and thrive in the US wholesale market, drawing from her end-to-end industry knowledge.
Currently volunteering with R.I.S.E. Artisan Fund, Susan provides strategic market entry guidance to international artisan brands, helping them navigate competitive positioning, pricing strategies, and trade show preparation while preserving their cultural authenticity.Website: Susan Soriano LinkedIn
Contact: susansori76@gmail.com
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Based in Austin, Texas – Fairtrade Wholesaler & Founder of Matr Boomie
Manish Gupta was struck by the material poverty of his homeland. With deep respect for
the rich culture, and potential of rural Indians, he began to build a model of trade and
started Matr Boomie .
He started partnering with grassroots organizations to transform unskilled women and men
into master artisans. Manish established a team in India to guarantee clear, efficient
communications and high-quality production. He gathered a team in Austin, Texas, to
design collections that entice Western Market while honoring the culture & craft of India.
A decade and half later, that little company has grown into a leading fair trade wholesaler
and innovator in ethical, sustainable business. Manish is also actively involved in creating
opportunities for at-risk communities and fighting homelessness in Austin, TX.
Website: Matr Boomie