Maker stories

Behind every piece is a person, a place, and a process. Meet the hands.

Featured · Studio visit

Inside Sarah Chen's Portland studio

Where the clay comes from, the rituals that shape each bowl, and why Sarah hand-thrown every piece for 15 years running.

JR
Jamie Rodriguez · Editor · May 14 · 8 min read
Maker spotlight

Marcus Williams on building heirloom-quality wood

From felled walnut to finished board. The Austin maker shares his 12-step process.

EK
Ella Kim·May 12
Gift guide

15 handmade gifts under $50

Editor-picked pieces that feel thoughtful but won't break the bank.

JR
Jamie Rodriguez·May 8
Craft

What is wabi-sabi, really?

The Japanese aesthetic explained — and 8 pieces that embody it perfectly.

AT
Aiko Tanaka·May 5
Sustainability

What "handmade" actually means on Craftrader

Our standards, our review process, and how we keep mass-produced items off the platform.

JR
Jamie Rodriguez·May 1
Studio visit

Forest & Flame: the slow art of candle-making

One pour at a time. How Lila Park scaled to 400 candles a month — without scaling out her values.

EK
Ella Kim·April 28
Maker spotlight

Elena Voss is reshaping brass jewelry

The Brooklyn jeweler whose minimalist pieces are sold out 3 months running.

JR
Jamie Rodriguez·April 22