The Tuscan Edit
Stories, objects, and places that define the handmade soul of Tuscany.
Welcome to The Tuscan Edit — the journal of Florence Factory.
Here we share the beauty of Tuscany as told through its makers: handcrafted objects, artisan stories, curated travel tips, and everything we love about Florence and beyond. If you’re looking for authentic inspiration and meaningful finds, this is where your journey begins.
What can you bring home from Florence to the USA?
Florence makes it very easy to buy something. The harder part is choosing what is actually worth taking home. From handmade leather and contemporary jewelry to art, ceramics and food, this guide looks at the objects that carry Florence through the people, workshops and techniques behind them — not just through the name printed on the front.
Buying jewelry in Florence: what travelers (american) should know
Buying jewelry in Florence means choosing between centuries of goldsmith tradition and a new generation of contemporary makers. Here is what travelers should know about Ponte Vecchio, Italian gold, handmade production and where to look beyond the obvious.
The 5-minute guide to Tax-Free shopping in Florence: how to invest in craft, not paperwork
Turn taxes into extra treasures. From the new €70.01 threshold to seamless Global Blue refunds at Florence Airport, discover how savvy travelers invest in authentic Tuscan craft—minus the bureaucracy. Our 5-minute guide explains how to shop smart, ship with FedEx, and make the most of your time in Florence.
Florence jewelry then and now
Florence’s jewelry heritage isn’t nostalgia—it’s method. Today, a new generation trained in the city’s design and goldsmith schools makes that method their own. At Florence Factory you’ll find 10–20 selected designers, all working by hand in Florence and Tuscany, producing in very limited runs. If your size isn’t on the tray, we’ll make it to order and ship it to you.
Florence to your suitcase: Tuscan gifts that travel well
Florence offers two kinds of souvenirs: the generic kind you’ll find anywhere, and the kind made here—by Tuscan artisans and designers. This guide sticks to the second: carry-on-friendly gifts with a real local signature. Think leather bags and sandals, quietly brilliant jewelry, hand-poured candles, ceramics and interior pieces, hats, eyewear, scarves and apparel—all made in Florence or Tuscany and curated by Florence Factory. Buy once, remember well, and ship with FedEx when your suitcase taps out.
Vegetable-Tanned Leather Sandals: A Buying Guide
Vegetable-tanned leather isn’t a trend; it’s the Tuscan way to make sandals that breathe, soften, and age well. This guide strips away the jargon: what veg-tan is (and isn’t), how break-in really feels, how to nail sizing if you’re between widths, and the two-minute care routine that keeps straps supple. Read it before you buy; wear your sandals for more than one summer.
Think Florentine craft is just tradition? Think again
Florentine craft is pure innovation—BarbaVasi 3D-printed vases prove it. Discover how Florence Factory fuses Renaissance design with sustainable tech.
Leather That Walks Through Time: The Story Behind Our Sandals
Discover the story behind our Colonnata leather sandals, handmade in Florence using traditional Tuscan techniques. More than just footwear, these sandals are a wearable expression of Italian craftsmanship, minimalist design, and cultural legacy.
New York Times Travel
It is indeed a great honor to be cited as the only shop (in company with the wonderful fierucola di Santo spirito) worth visiting in Florence according to the New York Times travel.
If you only have 36 hours then…