Iris Hantverk

In the early days of Kaaterskill Market, I was sewing cloth napkins in our spare bedroom and dreaming up a natural lifestyle shop. I wanted to curate a small collection of practical domestic items, things that were both beautiful and useful.

I set up a website, and the first brand that I placed an order with was Iris Hantverk in Sweden. The brand perfectly represented the values for the business I had envisioned:  artisan-made, thoughtfully designed, practical goods crafted with natural materials. 

Iris Hantverk started as a small brush manufacturer in Stockholm back in 1870. They worked with visually impaired artisans to make brushes. When we talk about products being "sensitively made by hand," this takes on incredible meaning. These artisans bring an unmatched level of touch and attention to their work, creating pieces that are both functional and genuinely beautiful.

Today, many of the brush styles are still crafted by visually impaired artisans. The brush-making methods are traditional and uphold a commitment to sustainability. Natural materials are prioritized such as FSC-certified wood and natural brush bristles from animal hair and plant fibers.

Here's something that might surprise you: many people assume "Iris Hantverk" is named after a woman, maybe the founder or designer behind the brand. But the name is actually much more meaningful than that. "Iris" refers to the eye, while "hantverk" is Swedish for handcraft. It's a beautiful way to honor both their heritage of employing visually impaired artisans and their commitment to handcrafted quality.