Story
A project rooted in craft.
Craft is culture.
My work has always grown from curiosity — the draw toward handmade objects and the stories behind them. I started in design and buying, but over time that professional interest deepened into a desire to truly understand how things are made, why traditions endure, and what’s lost when craft is separated from place and people.
What happens when tradition becomes a commodity? How do we maintain a balance between commerce and sustaining traditional craft cultures? How can we encourage younger generations to engage with this work — and bring consumers closer to the makers themselves, creating greater understanding, connection, and impact?
My path has led me to an understanding that craft is culture. It's the stories of the incredible entrepreneurs and hard-working artisans behind them. My curiosity has taken me around the world, far beyond showrooms, into distant rural villages, tucked-away ateliers, and the homes of countless artisans, where relationships form slowly — over coffee or tea, laughing, listening, and, often, returning.
Building AOW Handmade
This business has emerged from relationships built over more than 18 years. It is not a marketplace or a tour company, but a living project shaped by trust, discernment, and long-term connections with artisans, retailers, and a community that values quality handcrafted work.
I share all I’ve learned in ways that honor cultural continuity while engaging with the realities of today:
Travel — Time spent on the ground, returning often and building trust.
Writing — Sharing stories and context around craft, place, and process.
Sourcing — Connecting people to meaningful handmade work with care and clarity.
Mentorship — Practical guidance for navigating craft and commerce.
Guiding — Small, craft-led journeys shaped by long-standing relationships.
Julia Camara Calvo, Atacama Home
“I’m forever grateful for Annie’s mentorship and friendship.”
If you’d like to work together, travel together, or simply start a conversation, I’d love to hear from you.