Handmade Workshops
This is a story about two sisters, their craft, and a journey shaped by creativity and resilience — and how I now use this experience to help small studios and emerging brands showcase their work and grow their business.
THE JOURNEY HERE
I know firsthand what it means to run a handmade business and manage your own workshop. In 2014, in Crimea, I founded my jewelry and souvenir studio. Over time, my younger sister Tatyana joined me. For our region, this was especially relevant because Crimea had always been a tourist destination: visitors from all over the world came for the mountains, the sea, the beaches, and the vineyards.
Thanks to the strong demand and fertile land, many artisans and craft businesses thrived in Crimea. Small wineries produced excellent wine, beekeepers made fragrant honey, locals collected mountain herbs and turned them into tea sets. Natural aromatic oils were produced. All types of crafts were developing — ceramics, wood, leather, metal, textiles, glass, stonework, farm products, seafood, and bakeries.
To enrich the cultural life of the region, large seasonal events and markets were held regularly — similar to Oktoberfest and Novemberfest. Each event included at least five zones: a music stage, a food court, artisans, farmers, and workshops. Everything was designed so visitors could dance, listen to music, enjoy delicious food, buy souvenirs, and learn something new. Each market had its own theme — boho, coastal, ethnic. We decorated our space according to the theme and selected products to match.
Local seaside restaurants showcased their seafood dishes with fresh mussels and rapana at the food courts. Street theaters from France often performed at our events, along with exhibitions and art performances brought from major European cities. I absolutely loved these events.
As you can see, I understand what it means to build a handmade business from scratch. To promote your work despite challenges. To prepare for markets, worry about whether participation will pay off, feel the joy of customer interest — and the disappointment when you feel unnoticed — and still keep going.
But one thing I know for sure: no one will discover your craft unless you show it to the world.
“No one will discover your craft unless you show it to the world”
Promotion is a separate job that requires time, effort, and resources. I know how difficult it is to juggle production, finances, and marketing. That’s why I want to help you with at least one part of that journey — creating high-quality visual content that gives your craft a voice.