When Creativity Awakens
Spring is the season of awakening, the time in which nature renews itself, and the world is painted in new shades. This time of year is essential for many artisans; not only can they draw inspiration from the beauty of blooming nature, but they can also source essential raw materials for their creations. But what are the emblematic crafts of this season that can be discovered in the workshops of the Valdichiana Senese?
Candles
Attention to detail, essential design, and fragrances that reconnect you with the world are the main characteristics of candles made by the skilled artisans of Valdichiana Senese. What makes these candles fragrant are essential oils, which are liquid, aromatic extracts typically obtained by steam distillation from a plant, concentrating its volatile active ingredients. The rich vegetation that grows in the countryside and the many green areas of the Valdichiana Senese provides a multitude of plants to choose from, inspiring an equally diverse production of scented candles.
Perfumes
Essential oils are also the fundamental ingredient in the fragrances created by local perfumers. The foraging of herbs and flowers from which these substances are derived is the first step in the complex process of creating a perfume, a sensory experience, at times holistic, that you can experience firsthand in the company of the herbalists of Valdichiana Senese. You’ll discover all the secrets of perfumery, starting from the natural elements that make up each fragrance, selecting and blending scents, and learning the techniques of craftsmanship.
Terracotta Vases
The personal touch necessary for any respectable garden or balcony is a handmade terracotta pot, a must-have accessory for the spring season. In the artisan workshops of Valdichiana Senese, the choice is truly for all tastes: minimal or baroque style, natural or processed color, inspiration is never lacking in a land that knows this material since the Etruscan era.
These are just a few suggestions; load up on inspiration in local artisan workshops, to be discovered in spring and throughout the year.