In Conversation With: Annie O. Waterman
What it means to be a sourcing agent, craft destinations, and threading the needle on exposure and authenticity
An intrepid traveler and tireless advocate of traditional craft, Paris-based Annie O. Waterman of AOW Handmade tells us about her fascinating career as a sourcing agent—“essentially a matchmaker between artists and buyers” —and the travels that take her into small villages and craft communities for ceramics, baskets, textiles, brooms, rugs and just about anything else made by hand.
A master of making connections, she does it all—consults with buyers and brands, organizes buyer trips, represents producers, creates sourcing guides and custom itineraries, and takes her own incredible photographs along the way. At the heart of her work is a deep, honest conviction that traditional craft is a legacy worth preserving.
How did you become interested in traditional craft?
My mom is an interior designer (and had a shop) and my father, who was an architect and carpenter, loved travel and photography. Living among two creatives from a young age, I developed an eye and deep curiosity for beautiful things and far-flung places. I also spent a lot of time in my father's workshop... I was always looking through Nat Geos and dreaming of faraway places. When I was old enough, I found a way to travel and work abroad myself, and from this, my love for craft, culture, and traditional craft developed. When you spend time in really remote places, you see an immense amount of traditional craft and a quality which is like no other.
What is your sourcing approach for a destination you haven’t explored before?
When I first start thinking about sourcing in a new country, I try to find a local guide to meet and travel with on the ground. I like to travel with someone local who can help me navigate a new country— they know the ins and outs of a place and give insight and knowledge into their country.
One person usually leads to the next, and thankfully, I have developed an excellent network of people… and I see a diversity of products out there and determine which ones might be most interesting for the US and European market, looking at export experience, solid email communication, strong social and environmental ethos, and exceptional design and quality. I try to visit as many factories and workshops as possible and have developed an intuitive sense about [what will work] over the years.