Glass blowing has been around for some time, invented by Syrian craftsmen more than 2,500 years ago. When purchasing quality glassware or art glass, you should consider the aesthetics, the origin, and the type of glasswork.

What happens if a young man wants to propose to his love in a small town in Oaxaca, Mexico? He must first ask her parents for her hand in marriage and must present the family with what is known as a ‘marriage candle’. Doña Viviana invented these candles. And now, they are a tradition.

His workshop is Manos Que Ven (Hands That See). The artisan is Jose Garcia Antonio, a sculptor who lost his sight in the 1950s, due to glaucoma. And now, he sculpts his wife’s face, so that he will never forget what she looks like.

Whether it comes from the cabinet of a home that spent decades filled with love, or from a table gifted to a soldier and his wife as they began a new life after the war, each piece of reclaimed wood that Alexis uses has a story to tell.

To me, it is a land of endless opportunity and possibility. A chance to discover and work with artisans who take pride in their culture and heritage. Artisans who speak to their ancestors. Artisans who create beauty from the earth and the plants. And a chance to help them change some things that need changing, like access to clean water.

These women are incredible, and it is their drive and commitment that is the future of African baskets. They learn their craft by spending hours upon hours as children, watching their mothers and grandmothers weave. There are layers of stories and layers of love woven into these baskets.

Looks good, lasts forever. Absorbent, soft, gets better with use. Small ecological footprint. And worth its weight in gold. Just ask the Egyptians.

Red earth. Eucalyptus trees. Rain pounding on roofs. People waving as you pass. Boda Bodas honking. Brightly coloured dresses. Men sitting under shade trees … coffee, cassava, sesame. Roasted shea and firewood burning. Pink skies. Blue skies. Uganda.

Ultimately, it’s a mortar and pestle made from lava rock. But in reality – it is much more. This utensil has been used by pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican cultures, including the Aztec and Maya, for thousands of years.