HOLIDAY HOME DECOR GIFTS FOR YOUR LOVED ONES (AND YOU)!

December 21, 2023

With the Holiday here and Christmas fast approaching, The Local Artisan Guide has been working overtime with our gift guide recommendations and today’s blog is all about home decor as gifts. We have artisanal gifts from around the world from textiles, to tableware, books, candles, ceramics and much more. These brands all have craftsmanship and a love of heritage behind them and we get to be the custodians with the objects of their trade. Home decor is a great gift for the holidays which is always appreciated (especially when artisanal) and best of all it is also a great gift for yourself. Curate your surrounding. So please see our suggestions below, click onto the captions for more information.

Molecot Alhambra Table Set, Available at Collecto World

Alhambra Dinner Set by Molecot, $180 per dinner plate.

Molecot is a Spanish-based brand specializing in hand-painted luxury tableware made of Limoges porcelain. Each design is painted by hand, with impeccable details that balance both tradition and an avant-garde spirit. The Alhambra Collection is inspired by the architecture of the majestic Alhambra Palace in Granada. The Alhambra Dinner Plate features an intricate flower-inspired pattern available in a deep green and blue.

Birdie Fortescue Collaboration with Sarah Corbett-Winder, The Forever Stripey Planter

Birdie Fortescue is a London based luxury home accessories and furniture heritage brand inspired by global inspiration. We are featuring a planter from a collaboration with stylist and founder of Kipper Club Sarah Corbett-Winder. We first fell in love with Sarah’s style and taste when she gave a tour of her London home and now we get to have a bit of her whimsy with her Birdie Fortescue collar. We are selecting The Forever Stripey Planter in red (also available in blue). It’s a great and affordable way to make sure your plants are part of the collective decor (besides their beautiful selves).

wndrmade, Atlas Travel Candle

wndrmade is a candle company that creates all their perfumery in-house using only plant derived essential oils, CO2’s and absolutes. That is the original artisan way and natural approach to making candles. The candles come in metal containers perfect for travel. We love ATLAS, with scents of Moroccan cedars, and a light citrus breeze the base is Moroccan Atlas Cedarwood, Mid Notes are Neroli and with top notes of lavender,

“Forever Green” by Carlos Mota

World acclaimed interior decorator Carlos Mota has written his latest book on home interior decor “Forever Green”. Mota has such a passion for green that he has now devoted an entire book to it. "G: Forever Green" celebrates the color in all its manifold manifestations: in nature, food, fashion, jewelry, art, interiors, and architecture. This stunning volume, superbly produced with green metallic edge stain, is a testament to the power of green to soothe, inspire, and excite. Available at Hudson - Grace website.

atelierBOEMIA, Ceramic Appetizer Tray in Black

atelierBOEMIA is a home decor brand that started when two interior decorators who love to travel were greatly inspired by the artisans of Morocco and their crafts. The brand offers wonderful unique and affordable home decor that will bring artisanal style and lots of color to your home. We love these appetizer trays. Hand painted porcelain, these durable, functional trays will be a staple for your tabletop for years to come. The unique Moroccan design will let your guests know that you made the extra effort to create a tabletop that is extraordinary.

Luisa Beccaria, Duccio Tumbler With Base in Red/Pink

Luisa Beccaria is a Milanese designer who for decades has influenced the world of fashion and home decor all inspired by her Italian heritage and all its artisanal history and craftsmanship. We are spotlighting her home decor with the glassware with a set of two Small Duccio Tumblers With Base in Red and Pink. These Faceted glass tumbler with base, are crafted in vibrant shades, with iridescent gleam. This glasses are sold in sets of 2. They are made especially for you so it may take one to two weeks when you order these tumblers (a belated Holiday Gift). They are hand colored and made in Italy. Hand wash only.

Alepel, Lexington Placemat | Holiday by Lainy Hedaya

ALEPEL is a contemporary brand that specializes in luxury hand-painted shoes, accessories, and home. It was founded in 2014 by Adriana Epelboim-Levy with the goal of intersecting art and fashion that makes a statement. We love these holiday placemats for your holiday table. Hand-painted checkers & nutcrackers to adorn tables and gathering rooms with joyful nostalgia, warm company, and luxury. A timeless holiday home collection, in partnership with creative director Lainy Hedaya @lainyhedaya. These table placemats are one-of-a-kind, made to order. Handcrafted in Brazil and hand painted in Miami which supports the creative community. Made of 100% Microfiber Vegan Nappa leather, they are consciously crafted with a zero waste process. Dimensions: 15”diam. x 0.25"h.

Maria De La Order, Big Tablecloth Stripes

Madrid fashion brand Maria De La Orden has evolved into home decor bringing their love of pattern, color and whimsy to the home. We love these tablecloths, a collaboration of MDLO x Juana Pepa tableware collection. Big Tablecloth Red Stripes are an elegant and colorful way to make entertaining become a memorable occasion. Elevate your dining space with our luxurious tablecloth, measuring a generous 350cm x 200cm and adorned with chic red stripes. They are 100% cotton and handmade in Spain. Hand wash only.

AYU New York, Ebony and Marble Chess Set

AYU New York is a home decor boutique featuring items and artifacts from around the world. A favorite of interior designers and decorators, AYU New York is the perfect place to find artifacts, European art glass, art, textiles, onyx bowls, petrified wood and more. At AYU New York you will find beautiful holiday gifts for your loved ones (and you). We are recommending this stunning Ebony and Marble Chess Set that would be any chess lover’s dream set. It will surely become a family heirlooms.

Lido World, Irate Black Center Pillow

Lido World is a fashion and home decor brand founder by event producer Heidi Kelso who became inspired in her travels around the world and a fascination with artisan trades and crafts. We love this Silk Ikat pillow, hand dyed and hand loomed with a linen/cotton backing and hidden zipper closure. Originating in Uzbekistan, Ikat (meaning cloud in Uzbek) is a technique of dyeing and weaving on the warp threads before they are woven into cloth. The procedure is very time-consuming, as well as very complex and requires considerable skill. Fabric: Silk Front , Linen/Cotton Back, 16” x 24”. Inserts not included online.

We hope these home decor gift suggestions are not only gifts your loved ones will treasure for the holidays but will inspire you to look around your own surroundings to bring more beauty and color in your life.

By Natalie Rivera

BRANDS TO BE THANKFUL FOR GIVING BACK

November 23, 2022

With the holiday season now officially upon us The Local Artisan Guide would like to highlight some brands that share the same ideals and mission of working with artisans in a sustainable manner and giving back to make the world a better place.

These days you can help make the world a better place by learning to be a conscious shopper. Investigating a brand’s ethos and what they stand for is a win/win situation. To know the product you are investing your money is made in an eco friendly manner that helps local community around the world is the shopping ripple that we as a society need to be apart of. We are highlighting for this Thanksgiving five brands that have this mindset. Click onto the caption in the image for more information.

The first brand we would like to highlight is Akola, a globally inspired jewelry brand creating beautiful designs to lift up and champion women around the world. Akola means “she works” in a local Ugandan dialect. Akola provides life-changing job opportunities through vertically integrated manufacturing employing women in Uganda to make each Akola piece.

AKOLA - Zuri Set of Bangle Bracelets, $195

A piece we love is the Zuri Set of Bangle Bracelets. For an affordable $195 you get the option of two different color sets of bangles to chose from (blonde and black). The blonde set featured here includes; one luxury designer Austrian Crystal encrusted bangle, two 10k gold tone bangles and three horn bangles carved by hand in their Ugandan horn studio. All bangles are handcrafted in Ugandan, 2.5” inner diameter and you can wear all together or mix and match.

Are you are looking for a gift for the special man in your life whether it be your boyfriend, brother, dad or good male friend? Are you looking a spectacular gift that also gives back to the world? May we recommend the Alpaca Scarf from Global Goods Partners. This knit Nayra Alpaca Scarf is woven from the softest baby alpaca from Peru and is not only cozy warm but super lightweight. The dimensions are 72”L x 16”W and come from the artisans of Royal Knit, a group of artisans based in Peru who work in their small workshop weaving alpaca and other natural fibers into accessories. This program helps specially women who are victims of domestic abuse in effort to promote cultural identity and generate incomes for themselves and their children. They have grown now to over 400 weavers and knitters with over 40 workshops located in Cusco, Puno, Huancavelica and Lima, Peru.

GLOBAL PARTNERS - Nayra Alpaca Scarf, $78

A great affordable stocking stuffer we have for the holidays comes from Patent of Heart with their new selection of novelty leather luggage tags at just $29 each (Dimensions: L: 4.25” x W: 3”). Each luggage tag come in a variety of different colors with five funny sayings we most certainly find ourselves saying when we travel with luggage. They are:

Thank God You Found Me comes in black, yellow red, blue and orange.
They All Look The Same Don’t They? Comes in black, yellow, red, blue and orange.
Woo Hoo I’m Over Here! Comes in black, yellow, red, blue and orange.
Nope Not Yours comes in blue, yellow, orange and red.
Nope Yours Is The Other Black Bag comes in black, yellow, red, blue and orange.

PATENT OF HEART - Novelty Luggage Tags, $29 each

Patent of Heart was built on the belief and mission of giving back. Their brand was born out of creating a beautiful product working with artisans, mostly female, whilst preserving their traditions and skills, upcycling raw materials and having a portion of our profits go to help educate girls in Turkey.

When it comes to home decor, World Market, is a San Francisco brand that has been selling artisanal home decor from around the world since the 70’s. They focus on products that are sustainable and helps artisans keep their local artisan skills alive. We are featuring exclusively from World Market the “All Across Africa Dark Blue Woven Disc Wall Decor”. Handcrafted of raffia and banana fibers, this beautiful disc is made in Uganda and is ready to hang in your home or office. Available in additional designs, the disc is 20” in diameter x 2.5” depth. The artisans creating this piece are artisanal women weavers from Uganda and includes a tag from the weaver describing what creating this piece of art means to her. In collaboration with “All Across Africa”, these artisans are empowered to pay school fees, gain access to safe housing, food and healthcare and save for her future and family.

WORLD MARKET - All Across Africa Dark Blue Woven Disc Wall Decor, $79.99

Our final recommendation of gifts that give back to the world is the “Mini Candle Trio Gift Box” from the Wurrumay Collective for $49.95. The Wurrumay Collective is a small handmade business created by Natasha Kaiser, a proud Aboriginal woman from the Gomeroa Tribe in NSW, Australia. These three 60 gram mini candles come in Australian Bush, Australian Sandalwood and Kakadu Plum. Inspired by her homelands and Australia’s natural resources, Wurrumay Collective helps the Gomeroa Tribe and provides work from this Australian luxury fragrance brand. The candles make for unique unisex gift items and is a great way to help a small artisan brand and its community from around the world.

THE WURRUMAY COLLECTIVE - Mini Candle Trio Gift Box, $49.95

We hope we inspired you to gift giving that ripples in positive ways from brands that make it part of their mission to give consciously back to communities and people around the world. The stories of these brands and how they came about to make a difference in the world using artisans makes any product whether for yourself or to your loved ones worth having. Going against algorithms for shopping and focusing on small, local brands that give back is the perfect way to acquire good shopping karma for the holidays.

Happy Thanksgiving from The Local Artisan Guide!

THE LOCAL ARTISAN GUIDE'S TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE - DAY TEN: CANDLES

December 17, 2021

It’s the tenth day of our Holiday Gift Guide and today we explore some inventive scented candles. Everyone loves a candle so it makes a great holiday gift and stocking stuffer. Here are five candle brands made by local artisans.

BROOKLYN CANDLE STUDIO, “MAUI”, $38

Brooklyn Candle Studio candles are made in Brooklyn, New York with 100% soy wax for an eco-friendly clean burn. They use lead-free cotton wicks and premium fragrance oils infused with essential oils. Plus their candles are vegan, cruelty-free, phthalate-free, and petroleum-free.”Maui” evokes the tide rising and falling on a secret beach on the island of Maui and with it, notes of sea salt, sea moss, and driftwood evaporate into the air. A touch of zesty bergamot and soft ylang ylang round out aromas of the ocean. TOP NOTES: Bergamot, MIDDLE NOTES: Ylang-Ylang, Sea Salt, BASE NOTE: Sea Moss, Driftwood.

REGINA’S ESSENTIALS,”COQUITO CANDLE TRAVEL TIN”, $12

This candle by Regina’s Essentials evokes holiday time in the Caribbean where on the island of Puerto Rico their version of eggnog called Coquito is served and loved. To bring this scent to life the key ingredients are: Certified Organic Beeswax, Certified Organic Coconut Oil, Certified Organic Cassia Essential Oil, Certified Organic Clove Essential Oil, Certified Organic Vanilla Essential Oil and Certified Organic Nutmeg Essential Oil. Regina’s Essentials aromatherapy candles are made in small batches with certified organic beeswax and certified organic essential oils. Aromatherapy candles contain only certified organic essential oils instead of chemically derived oils. Essential oils are extracted from flowers and plants.

THE WONDERMENT, HAPPY CAMPER CANDLE “INDIE COFFEE SHOP CANDLE”, $22

Let the warm, rich aroma of Happy Campers Candle “Indie Coffeeshop” candle evoke the sense of sitting with a freshly brewed latte in a dark mahogany booth at a local cafe, where the barista starts preparing your order before you even get to the counter. Outside the gray skies spill fat raindrops as leaves the color of burnt orange, fiery red and golden yellow dance in the wind on the street corners. The velvety sound of jazz music plays softly in the background accompanying the symphony of coffee making: the "grinding, banging, pounding, clanking, humming, gurgling, and whistling" (as described by writer Stefanie Spencer of The Voice in Cochise County, Arizona). SCENT NOTES Top: eucalyptus, green apple, and bergamot. Middle: cashmere, black pepper, clove and geranium. Base: amber, black cardamom, sandalwood, patchouli. DETAILS Happy Campers Candle is made on Long Island, NY with 100% soy wax from American grown soy beans for a non-toxic, long lasting and clean burn. High quality fragrances infused with natural essential oils blend together to create scents that evoke peace and joy. Vegan. Cruelty-Free. Petroleum-Free.

URBAN MONK BALM CANDLE, “WHISKEY”, $28

The Urban Monk Balm line began as an all-purpose gentlemen's balm for hair, beards, hands, and body. It is 100% natural, using pure essential oils, and artisan-crafted in New York. Not only do they use the best ingredients, waste is minimized in the making process for a healthier environment. Urban Monk has expanded their holistic and clean approach to other self-care products and home goods. Urban Monk Balm products are lovingly created by professional fashion model and businessman Leo Funderburk. The balms were first developed for his personal use as a chef/restauranteur in New York City. When he started to make them at the request of his friends and family, an idea emerged to share these beautiful products with the world. Using all-natural ingredients and always artisan made. Ingredients feature natural essential oils, organic soy wax, organic cotton wicks, designed for enhanced release of essential oil fragrances. “Whiskey Candle” has notes of :Top: WhiskeyMiddle: WhiskeyBase: Smoke, Oak, Tonka Bean.

VIRGINS ON FIRE, “THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMEONE HIDING BEHIND THE SHOWER CURTAIN”, $12

From Virgins on Fire Candle Co. this 6 ounce 100% Soy Candle is Handmade in Brooklyn, NY using only the safest fragrances sourced from socially responsible suppliers. Fresh, odor eliminating scent, with a hint of lemon. Perfect for bathrooms, laundry rooms, nurseries, or anywhere you need a little clean air. 25-30 hours burn time. Phthalate-free fragrances.

These five artisanal candle brands offer scents that evoke places, experiences and unorthodox fragrances which is why they make such great affordable holiday gifts. Each brand offers a plethora of unique scents for you to explore for yourself and others.

By Natalie Rivera

THE LOCAL ARTISAN GUIDE'S TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE - DAY SIX: HOME DECOR

December 13, 2021

It’s day six of our Holiday Gift Guide highlighting artisans from near and afar. Today we will explore some home decor brands that create products that are handmade by master craftsmen from all around the world bringing beauty to everyday objects and character to your home.

JOHN ROBSHAW TEXTILES, “SAHATI LIGHT INDIGO THROW”, $250

John Robshaw Textiles is a favorite amongst decorators in the know. The products are all handmade in India and Southeast Asia and combine east/west aesthetics. This sahati throw is hand stitched cotton and as soft-as-a-cloud. They are patiently stitched by hand, taking days to complete. Crafted in thin layers of cotton voile and a contrasting reverse of cotton chambray, only the soft fabric brushes against your skin, not the stitches themselves. Hand knotted tassels give it pizzazz. It’s a perfect throw for any room. John Robshaw also provides this throw in multiple colors.

HEATH CERAMICS. “BUD VASE’, $29

Heath Ceramics is a California pottery brand founded in 1948 by husband and wife team Edith and Brian Heath, and has since evolved into an American home decor brand, made by artisans with a distinct minimal style. The Bud Vase is an Edith Heath classic, designed in the 1980s. The Bud Vase makes for a stunning still life piece with or without flowers. Display it as a family, mixed and matched, or on its own — we’ll leave that up to you. At once versatile and understated, it's a beautiful addition to any room.

KIM SEYBERT. “HOLIDAY BALLOON NAPKIN RING IN MULTI SET OF 4” $200

Kim Seybert is home decoy brand founded by former fashion designer Kim Seybert who has brought her knowledge and love of fashion into the home decor world. Her napkin rings are always beautiful and elaborate and her holiday collection is no exception. The Holiday Balloon Napkin Ring, is a nostalgia-inspiring resin hot air balloon filled with perfectly wrapped gifts, a Christmas tree, and favorite childhood sweets. The hand-painted details on the rattan basket and balloons make this napkin ring a work of art. Comes in a set of 4 with a beautiful gift box.

DOT + LOOP CERAMICS, “RAINBOWS LARGE CHEESE BOARD”, $65

Dot + Loop Ceramics is a home decor brand founded by Dari Litchman and based in Brooklyn, NY. We chose the Rainbow Large Cheese Board that is hand built and hand painted stoneware cheese board. Not just for serving cheese! Approximately 12" long by 6" wide with a 7.5" x 6" area of serving space. Food and dishwasher safe. (Knife shown in picture is not for sale). Available at the Wondermart shop in Brooklyn, NY (833 Saint Johns Place).

GLOBAL TABLE, “PLAYFUL INDIGO CATS CUP, SET OF FOUR”, $28

Global Table is a home decor boutique located in the Historical District at 107 Sullivan Street in Soho that features a well curated selection of home goods. We were so happy Global Table survived staying open during the pandemic so to support local we picked a great gift from the shop that is also available online. The Playful Indigo Cats Cups are a porcelain cup set of four - each cup has a cat in a playfully funny different pose. 6 oz. capacity. Dishwasher and Microwave safe and makes for a great affordable holiday gift or hostess gift for someone hosting a Christmas party!

Home decor is such a great gift for the holidays if you don’t want to gift clothing or accessories as it can be for the whole family or help make an environment even more beautiful. We have provided five brands that only work with artisans creating handmade products by master craftsmen (and women) and at all price ranges. These gifts help you shop small, shop local and shop sustainability.

By Natalie Rivera

Celebrating Women Home Decor Designers for International Women's Month

March 24, 2021

For the month of March The Local Artisan Guide has been highlighting the works of women artisans around the world in different categories and media. This week we are focusing on women designers who create home decor. Whether its furniture, ceramics, glassware, wall paper, candles or textiles; we have found eight women designers who you should know about.

Below are samples of their products and excerpts from their “About” pages on their sites to describe their journey on becoming a local artisan. Click onto the links in the captions in the images of the products to visit the websites of the artisans below.

REBECCA ATWOOD DESIGNS - REBECCA ATWOOD

Ocean Wave Wallpaper in Ocean Blue $70 per roll

Brooklyn based designer and artist Rebecca Atwood believes in the art of making.
I believe that how you get to a finished product is just as important as the final design. Each step of my process, from first sketch to production techniques to our shipping methods, is so important. I don’t believe in perfection, but I do ask myself, “How can I do things better?” frequently. I like to think you can see that when you purchase one of our pieces. And I like to think that our process is part of the reason you can feel truly good about bringing our pieces into your home.

JOHANNA HOWARD HOME - JOHANNA HOWARD

The roots of our products are in Johanna’s native Sweden. That is where, as a young girl, she sat in her mother’s atelier as she meticulously crafted dresses by hand. Johanna learned to appreciate the quality and versatility that only hand work can achieve. And it is where she was surrounded by the clean elegance of Scandinavian design.
As a young woman, Johanna took these influences with her to America to attend fashion school and then to establish herself as a successful clothing designer. Working for such companies as BCBG, Katayone Adeli, Express and Gap - her accessible designs have been worn by women all over the country. Whether gracing the pages of Vogue, an actress’ wardrobe or a special night out, her designs made women feel special.
Now, Johanna has turned her eye to designing for the home. Through her travels, she has discovered incredibly talented artisans and collaborates with them to elevate their traditional craftsmanship with refined composition. Whether engaging the dyers in the highlands of Peru or the weaving families of Portugal, she envisions the possibilities of their techniques and incorporates their unique skills into her products. The result of this marriage of cultures and creativity is “a revelation” that is “simply breathtaking.”

PRAIRIE MOON HANDMADE - CARLA LORENCE

My name is Carla Lorence and I’m a Potter/ceramic artist, wife and momma. I was born and raised on the prairies, Regina Saskatchewan Canada! I’ve always been creating. As long as I can remember. My artistic focus has changed over the years, but I feel like I’ve settled into a creative groove over the last 5 years.
I started making pottery back in university, over 20 years ago, while pursuing my Arts Education degree. I have been selling my work professionally for about 7 years.
I create handmade, functional work in small batches. My work is my passion and the utmost care and joy goes into creating each and every piece at every stage. Each stage of my process is done by hand in my in home ceramic studio, from wheel throwing to trimming to carefully hand painting each item.

deKor - ISABELLE DAHLIN

Growing up in Sweden profoundly influenced interior designer Isabelle Dahlin’s aesthetic for deKor. Beginning when she was a little girl, Isabelle learned to associate her passion for art, home style and anything design-oriented with well-being and happiness.
Once she crossed the pond, Isabelle landed at The Otis School of Art and Design then the New School at Parsons.
After years of working as an interior designer sourcing great finds for her clients, Dahlin decided to bring a lifelong dream to fruition – to open a furniture/design boutique. deKor opened June 2011 in Echo Park, an artistic community near downtown Los Angeles.
As an expatriate, mixing styles and cultures is something that comes naturally to Dahlin. Her travels throughout Europe and Africa infuse her sense of design with an easy eclecticism. The offerings at deKor are sophisticated and cosmopolitan, yet still accessible and fun.

MISS HAVISHAM’S CURIOSITIES - MELISSA JOHNSON

It’s Not Me, It’s You Cup and Saucer, $60

Melissa Johnson is descended from antique dealers, grew up at flea markets, and some say was even born at a garage sale.
She has developed and produced television for clients such as The Colbert Report, The Disney Channel, Playhouse Disney, PBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Vh-1, Comedy Central, Cartoon Network, A&E, Oxygen Media, BET, and Robert Smigel’s TV Funhouse/Saturday Night Live.
She is currently working on a book length memoir, which she hopes is a Running With Scissors meets Grey Gardens but you know...with arabs in Ohio. Melissa’s a horror movie fanatic, a junk scavenger, and a lover of all things weird, creepy, and haunted.

DAUPHINETTE - OLIVIA CHENG

Dauphinette was founded in 2018 by Olivia Cheng, debuting with one-of-a-kind, Made-in-New York outerwear from recycled and byproduct fur and leather, vintage, and artisanal components. Cheng has since grown the brand to include handbags and accessories, plus a tightly conceptualized selection of ready-to-wear. The result is a dreamy collection of complex, optimistic, storied pieces-- a feeling Cheng hopes to inspire in our wearers.
In French, Dauphin refers to the king's eldest son, i.e. heir to the throne. Coupled with the traditionally feminine suffix -ette, this symbol of the old feudalistic order takes on new agency.

STOVER GLASS - LISA GLOVER

I have always been an active artist. Whether it is drawing, painting, beading, writing, cooking or photography. I love physical and mental challenges thru art. When I was introduced to glass blowing I immediately knew this was for me. I found a challenging and physical art form. Glass blowing is like no other medium. Molten glass is always fluid and moving, then suddenly cold and wanting to break. Mental awareness and finesse are always at play along with dedication and determination.
I was introduced to glass blowing in 1996, in Teton Valley Idaho. After I took a workshop at Heron Glass I wanted to learn more. I enrolled at Penland School of Craft, in North Carolina to hone my skills. I studied under Richard Jolley, Tom Philabaum and Laura Donefer. I then returned to Teton Valley to work for Heron Glass for the next ten years. During this time I have also worked with artists in Southern and Northern California.
Glass is my passion! There are so many ways to work the material; when it’s cold, molten, warm, broken or recycled. Glass can be transformed in many ways.

ESSENCE OF ASE - CAMILLE FANFAIR

The brand was created a few years ago after Camille -- an individual diagnosed with lupus -- experienced one of the most extreme flare ups in her 13 year battle with the autoimmune disease which affects five million people worldwide. In the midst of that flare-up she recognized the beneficial effects of particular scents in her immediate environment. This inspired the thought: why not create a product in which these scents can be intentionally infused. That initial product was a scented candle which gave her a heightened positive mood, enhanced relaxation and wellness. Subsequently other people, enticed by the aroma of the candles started submitting requests. With the word-of-mouth popularity of the candles gaining lightening momentum, Camille put more focused attention on developing products for sale. Camille stepped out of her comfort zone thus giving birth to Essence of ASE! ASE, is a concept of manifesting through intention and voice derived from the Yoruba culture. It is ASE that enables us to manifest our desire through setting clear intentions and then speaking it into existence. Thus, Camille used her own Ase and created a total of 65 products which now include body scrubs, Aromatherapy oils, Incenses and aura sprays. Camille also provides expert crystal reiki therapy and facilitates wellness workshops.

These small brands are all led by visionary women designers who create small batch productions that take in mind; sustainability, the environment, their local communities, raw materials and a unique artistic vision which is aesthetically yet functional for home decor.

By Natalie Rivera