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.
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.
How to Buy Authentic Florentine Crafts (Without the Guesswork)
Florence dazzles on the surface; the right object carries its depth home. This field guide helps you cut through market noise to find real Tuscan craft—materials that tell the truth, provenance before price, and details that age well. Plus, what to avoid (too-cheap street racks, copy-paste inventories, sellers who can’t explain the “how” and the “who”). Buy with clarity, not guesswork.
Schools of Craft and Design in Florence: Where Tradition, Innovation & Local Makers Meet
Florence is not just a city of museums but a living studio where craft traditions thrive. From jewelry workshops near Ponte Vecchio to leather schools in Santa Croce, from ceramics in Montelupo to fashion at Polimoda, artisans and students alike shape the city’s creative future. At FlorenceFactory, we collaborate with these makers—many of whom chose Florence as their home—to offer design that is both deeply rooted and refreshingly contemporary.
Florence Factory: one of the best shops in Florence according to the New York Times
Florence Factory has been named the best artisan shops in Florence by The New York Times. Step into a world where timeless Tuscan craft meets curated design, right in the heart of the city.
How to Recognize Handmade Ceramics (and Why You Should Care) *
A practical and poetic guide to recognizing real handmade ceramics—from base to glaze—and why choosing artisanal means choosing the future.
Contemporary Jewelry in Florence: Sustainability, Style, and Emerging Talent
Discover Florence Factory, the only contemporary jewelry hub in Florence where over ten designer-artisans create unique, sustainable pieces. A must-visit for jewelry lovers seeking authentic craftsmanship in Firenze
Spotting the Real Deal: How to Recognize Authentic Florentine Craftsmanship
Not all that glitters in Florence is made by hand. Learn how to recognize authentic craftsmanship with tips from Florence Factory.