I ♥LOVE♥ Learning with Locals!
Meet Maria whose interest in and passion for artisan, handmade crafts evolved into a desire to support and share them with you!
♦ How We Met…
When I dug back into my archives (mental and photos!), I pinpointed when Maria and I first met here in Florence (fall, 2019). And then I recalled how we connected in the first place! It was via Facebook – somehow I came across her profile and saw that she was offering artisan walks – and I was immediately interested!
I reached out and we stayed in touch and eventually we met and I was able to join her on a tour. Needless to say, I loved it and I knew immediately that it was an experience I wanted to share with and refer to my clients.
My first visit with Maria and Florentine artisan workshops…
We continued to remain in contact and when I decided to come to Florence for an extended stay (during COVID!), Maria became so much more than a professional acquaintance! She wholeheartedly supported my adventure and our relationship evolved into a lovely friendship.
Finally, when we could, during my stay at Palazzo San Niccolo in early January 2021, we were able to reconnect in person again! And we have certainly stayed in close contact! She was (and remains) a wonderful support and friend here in Florence.
♦ Beyond COVID Days…
Although I had joined her on a tour in late 2019, and I have since referred clients to her (and they love it!), when I started writing “I ♥LOVE♥ Learning with Locals”, I knew that I definitely wanted to share more about Maria.
She had generously offered to have me join her on one of her tours again and, at last, a few weeks ago, we were able to find a date! I joined a couple visiting from Wisconsin and our Florentine Artisan Workshop Experience included visits to four botteghe (workshops) and lasted approximately three hours.
Guests get an intimate experience…this bottega makes exquiste Florentine mosaics or “pietre dure”…
Maria provides small group guided introductions to authentic Florentine workshops (both Renaissance and contemporary). Maria’s groups are always small and intimate since the workshops are typically small (never more than four) although larger groups can be accommodated upon request.
This atelier of exquisite gold jewelry proudly makes everything by hand – many are traditional Florentine designs!
I love small groups which encourage more interaction and a much more intimate experience in the already intimate environment of the artisans’ workshop. And, because Maria has developed such strong relationships with them, her visitors are always warmly welcomed and enjoy a very “up close and personal” experience.
Yes, every piece is hand made – beautifully designed and hand crafted!
There are many compelling reasons why these tours/experiences are critically important – in addition to being educational and informative, they are vital for the support of traditional Florentine handiwork and these very specialized crafts.
Artisans generously and proudly share their talents…in this case the art of paper marbling.
When a visitor has the opportunity to see, meet, and learn about the long traditions that have been passed down and experience firsthand how these beautiful works of art are made, it imbues a new appreciation. Artisans generously demonstrate their skills and techniques and guests walk away with a new and enriched understanding and appreciation for these beautiful handcrafted treasures.
♦ Maria’s Florentine Artisan Workshop Experiences
During our walk we visited Florentine hard stone mosaic (commesso fiorentino), a gold jewelry atelier, a handmade leather goods workshop/shop and a paper marbling/book binding artisan. All offered engaging descriptions/demonstrations of their handiwork – wonderful!
Although I had visited two of the workshops/shops (Florentine mosaics and was very familiar with the other two as subjects of other Learning with Locals posts), not only did I learn something new at each but I loved seeing the guests interaction with Maria and the artisans and especially their fascination and amazement as they learned from each.
♥ The afternoon was a reminder of how much I enjoy her experiences and why I recommend them to anyone visiting Florence! ♥
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♦ Join Maria!
Maria has an impressive list of tour choices and she is always adding more to her list to share with YOU! Running the gamut from gold leafing and marbled paper to Florentine mosaic, wood sculpture and stoneware to crystal, jewelry to leather goods… Whatever your interests she can custom design your experience!
In addition to visiting workshops she can take you shopping! What’s your pleasure? Be it custom and handmade, vintage or couture, everything from hats to shoes and perfume… cashmere, silk, or knit… jewelry and handbags for you to fabrics and antiques for your home..Maria will take you there (and if it isn’t on her list, she’ll research for you!).
♥ Thank you Maria, for your commitment and dedication to supporting these dedicated artisans and beautiful Florentine traditions!! ♥
♦ How to Contact Maria…
Email: florentineshopping@gmail.com
Phone/whatsapp: +39 3495556609
www. Florentine-shopping.com
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⇒ MORE “I LOVE Learning with Locals!“
