Artisan Sourcing for Retailers.
Brand Building for Artisan Businesses.
About Annie
For more than 18 years, Annie O. Waterman has worked in the global artisan sector—connecting retailers, brands, and designers with exceptional handmade products and the artisans behind them.
With experience in more than 30 countries, Annie brings a global network and a deep understanding of the handicraft export market to every project. She helps you discover high-performing, lesser-known artisan vendors and curate collections that are both authentic and commercially successful.
Whether you’re seeking new handmade suppliers or launching an artisan brand, Annie offers personalized sourcing guidance and mentorship that save time, reduce travel costs, and connect you to an exclusive global artisan network.
Services
-
Annie works one-on-one with retailers seeking exquisite artisanal products, and artisan brands seeking mentoring to access and position themselves in a saturated marketplace.
-
→ Discover unique, export-ready artisan partners from around the world—without the time and expense of international travel.
Includes:
Client Shares Moodboard before the call and completes a survey to define product interests, needs, and criteria.
Schedule a 75-minute Video call with Annie O. Waterman to discuss vendor options.
After the call, Annie will share, make up to five vendor introductions, and provide additional recommendations.
Investment:
Starting from €500 for a sourcing consultation
Custom pricing available for larger projects
-
→ Clarify your brand’s vision, strengthen your product offering, and position your brand for wholesale and retail success.
Includes:
Brand development and strategy sessions
Product line reviews and feedback
Pricing and market positioning
Lookbook and presentation consulting
Create marketing and sales strategies
Investment:
75-Minute Consultation — €500
5-Session Mentorship Package — €2,400
AOW has worked with top retailers + organizations, including:
West Elm, Arhaus, Anthropologie, The Citizenry, Aerin, MINNA, Global Crafts, Territory Designs, All Across Africa, Atacama Home, Raven + Lily, Globein, JK Adams, Michele Varian, Lizzie Fortunato, Primary Essentials, St Frank Textiles, Ozma, Hawkins New York, Soludos, UNDP, UNHCR, Aid to Artisans, New World Crafts Guatemala, and more.
What they're saying...
“Annie has been supporting my brand and store from the very beginning and through its different chapters. She mentored our dear founder years ago so we could make this passion project a reality, and she’s mentored me now as the new owner, steering me in the right direction not only with exquisite product and vendor recommendations but with a whole rebrand journey. Her feedback and guidance have been essential to catapult our social media, create a new website, and take our newsletter efforts to new heights, increasing our brand’s status and customer trust and loyalty. I’m forever grateful for Annie’s mentorship and friendship.”
Julia Camara Calvo, Atacama Home
“Hiring Annie was the best decision I’ve made to date on my new business journey. I would have easily spent the money I paid her in costly mistakes and wasted time. She kindly and competently set me on the right path in everything from social media and marketing to brand creation, selecting vendors, and curating the perfect products for my unique vision. Annie is worth her weight in gold. Hire her! You won’t regret it.”
— Stephanie Brand, Overland Home
“I had been sitting on an idea of what I wanted to do with my business for years, and discovering and working with Annie has helped bring it all to fruition. Finding someone with her combination of experience, relationships, and discerning eye was like finding the needle in a haystack. Working with Annie has not only given me the resources and contacts necessary to build my business, but it has also given me the confidence to turn my ideas into something tangible. Her suggestions have been personalized and on point, and I feel confident knowing I can tap into her expertise as my business continues to grow.
— Nicole Kofoed, And Found Furnishings
“Blending passion with a deep understanding of how handicrafts markets operate, Annie is a great bridge between artisans and buyers. Her feel for what’s trendy comes naturally, with an ability to help producers select and curate the right collections. With her network of buyers and artisan support groups, she’s always got her fingers on the pulse on how this growing market is evolving. We valued her keen interest and commitment to sustainable and ethical sourcing, which has helped us shape one of the unique portfolios in our country office.”
—Ismail Abu Arafeh, UNDP
“Working with AOW to help me navigate sourcing products for my retail shop proved invaluable. Annie put together custom itineraries for my sourcing trip to Spain and Portugal based on my business needs, including artisans who are able to ship to the USA. Also helpful were hotel and restaurant recommendations. Annie has excellent taste and is extremely well-connected. So many gems I would never have found on my own! I would not hesitate to recommend AOW for any sourcing needs.”
—Jennifer Liang, J Atelier
“From the first email exchange with Annie, I knew we would find just what we were looking for. We have placed orders with every vendor she found for us. And now because of Annie, we have sources for product categories we had never worked with before and in countries, we’ve never worked in before. By working with Annie we were able to make a deadline for PO placement and sample receipt date with very short notice. I emailed her with only 1 month to receive samples and the vendor she found delivered a beautiful product that was exactly what we were looking for! We ventured into a new product category with Annie’s help and we’re already making plans to work with the vendor again.”
—Chelsea McGowan, Aerin