iris hantverk

iris hantverk pieces keep popping up in many of the independent shops I check out here in London and I just knew I had to post about this company. Upon doing more research for this post I was so excited to find out that iris hantverk is so much more than beautifully made brushes. 

Based in Sweden, the majority of materials used to create iris hantverk work are naturally and locally sourced. But it gets better. This company has been around since 1870 and since that time, many employees of iris hantverk are visually impaired. The company believes in the value of providing jobs for people with visual impairment but also believe that their disability actually provides them with the exact and perfect skills for creating these brushes. Their heightened senses allow a significantly increased attention to detail and feel of their work. 

And just when you think this story cannot get anymore compelling and lovely, the current owners of iris hantverk purchased the company in an effort to save some thing they believed in. The company was put on the market after the government announced it would no longer provide funding for such a company. Rather than see such a fantastic and critical initiative get bought out or dissolve, the current owners both remortgaged their homes in order to purchase iris hantverk and keep this incredible story alive 

Such a great story behind such a great company. 

All images courtesy of the iris hantverk Instagram account.