Featured Resource – Annie Oakley Waterman

Posted On February 13, 2016

With over a decade of experience working within the global artisan sector, Annie Oakley Waterman helps her client’s source socially responsible artisan products while cultivating mutually beneficial partnerships between buyers and artisans. She believes in bringing unique handmade goods to the mainstream consumer while sustaining craft traditions and creating market exposure for artisans worldwide. Having spent many years in the field, Annie offers a diverse set of skills, from product development and market research to business mentoring and artisan sourcing.

Annie’s latest venture satisfies the growing demand for handmade items in the market, where there is vast opportunity for lifestyle and apparel businesses to leverage consumers’ thirst for high-quality artisanal goods. Her consulting services alleviate the cost and insecurity of independent sourcing. Delivering expert knowledge on the industry and guidance to support her clients, Annie offers a network of market ready suppliers, guidance on sourcing and production, and continuous trade show coverage. Her strong working relationships span a wide variety of countries including, Morocco, Mali, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, South Africa, India, Turkey, Thailand, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Haiti, Nepal, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan.

With a rich background working with ByHand Consulting, as well as writing for HAND/EYE magazine, for whom she travelled extensively, identifying artisans whose work qualified for exhibiting in the Artisan Resource market at NY NOW. Annie also managed ByHand’s Market Incubator Program, which supports artisan enterprises new to Artisan Resource. Accompanying and recruiting domestic and international buyers for sourcing trips to Morocco, Guatemala, the Philippines, and Peru, Annie also offers International trade show reports that include product and supplier coverage, and Artisan supplier reports on target countries, and product categories. She is also able to offer customized sourcing trip itineraries on request.