Buying Local: The Best Artisanal Berlin Designers

For most hip young things in Berlin, consumption is a political choice – a choice that is evident in the sheer number of vegetarians and vegans in the city alone (to say nothing of the gluten-free types). In recent times, however, lifestyle consumption has come under scrutiny. For many in Berlin, buying from locally sourced, artisanal designers is part of an ethical lifestyle choice.
It can be difficult to judge just how ethical these retailers are given that the national standards for these kinds of goods don’t seem to apply to pop-up markets on Maybachufer. To combat the wilderness of confusion, Culture Trip brings you a complete rundown of great designers and places for gifts, trinkets and homewares for buyers with a social conscience.

Moses

Moses offers those interested in ceramics a new course – one that promotes the creative and happy association with the material and the application of various professional techniques.
Moreover, she has an open workshop where participants realize their ideas (in the form of sculptures or vessels in three dimensions) under her personal instructions. She teaches how to create forms and shapes and how to glaze.

Larsitos

Lars-Helge Kriener is multi-talented. He is a trained automotive, motorcycle and bicycle mechanic and a high-school art teacher. He is also responsible for the open bicycle workshop in the Prinzessiningärten and the head of the bicycle workshop at the youth center, Naunynritze. He also designs lighting objects made from bicycle parts. His creations are unique and made with 100 percent recycled materials.

His story started during his journey through Central and South America when he designed the small Larsito wire bike. It was developed as a gift and symbolizes the concept of belief!

The small wire bikes are now bookmarks, earrings, buttons, key chains, pendants or free-standing decorations.

Scrummi Melts

Scrummi Melts was born in 2014 in the heart of Berlin. Their core philosophy is to produce friendly products that are a real treat for the body and soul. Their range includes soy candles, organic cold-process soaps and clays. All products are individually handmade and finished in Berlin. To do their part for the environment, they only use natural and recycled materials for their packaging; bags, boxes, tissue paper, wraps, and, of course, their glass jars are the perfect place to store knick-knacks when the candles have been used!

Paprcuts

A group of young and crazy creatives founded Paprcuts in 2012. They offers lots of products such as wallets, thin smartphone and tablet covers, cosmetic bags, tobacco pouches, slim credit card wallets, laundry bags, paper bins, bathroom baskets, wash bags and document sleeves. All of those accessories are made out of tear-proof and waterproof paper. Their products are very thin, extremely light and will last as long as you want them to.

The team is always on the run to catch the latest designs and coolest ideas. All their products are produced regionally, in and around Berlin, are from recycled products and are also 100 percent recyclable.

Sag + Sal Berlin

Andjelko Arctic und Rupert Jensch founded the company in 2009 after studying printing technology at UdK Berlin and working several years in the printing industry. They offer three categories of products: messengers, handbags and accessories in various sizes. All the products are from upcycling design and sustainable. This organic unity leads to high wearing comfort. Original bags by SAG + SAL are uniquely identified by their logo placed on the front of the bag.

IUMI

IUMI is a family company founded in 2012. Family and neighbors make the team complete. They create wooden pendant lights in their workshop, located in Berlin. Their aim is to produce things that are beautiful and keep a gentle silence, opposing the monotony of industrial products. IUMI connects the lively character of the material and the love for craft with the precision of digital design. They deliver all their products as birchwood assembly kits.

The wood comes pre-cut and in a lovely hand-printed box. With a little love and just a few minutes, you can put your individual piece together. It takes as long as a cup of tea. No glue or screws needed.