About Us
Our evolution
After a gap year of travel in 1997 Makers & Providers (previously known as Alan Myerson Handcrafted) was born.
Al’s travels took him to places where some of the world’s most ancient and mystical cultures exist. From Lake Atitlan in Guatemala to the Andes of Peru and Ecuador, the tropical coast of Southern Mexico and the Atlas mountains of Morocco. Fortunately, he made it back from the Golden Triangle.
During his global search for uncrowded perfect waves Al met many travelling artisans. These personal connections with people making beautiful products, was the source of inspiration to curate a collection of quality handcrafted accessories.
Makers & Providers has evolved into a small, family run business based on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. Fair trade and longstanding personal relationships with artisans that have family run, cottage industry businesses just like ours is core to our ethical philosophy. More than ever these artisans in remote locations need our support. We are proud to work with them to bring their handcrafts to the world.
Al & Prue
Makers & Providers
Our timeless collection includes silver jewellery, Panama hats, and leather accessories for men and women. Each piece is designed in Australia and then hand-crafted from premium materials by skilled artisans around the world.
We have long standing relationships with our fair-trade makers, their businesses are ethical, family run, cottage industries just like ours. This is not mass-produced, fast fashion. We are working to a sustainable future by supporting traditional handcrafts and providing quality products that stand the test of time.
Our collection:
We design hand crafted accessories, including:
Panama Hats
Panama hats originated in Ecuador and have been a traditionally woven hat there for hundreds of years. In the 1850’s the Ecuadorians found a thriving market for their hats in Panama, when the Panama Canal was being constructed in the early 1900’s they became known as Panama hats.
Makers & Providers works with Panama hat makers in Montecristi in Ecuador to bring you the real deal. Montecristi is to Panama hats as Champagne is to sparkling wine.
Our collection of authentic Panama hats includes a range of styles, colours, and sizes. Our hats are non-gender styled so can be worn by men and women. Hand woven from a natural palm fibre, our Panama hats are light weight and breathe making them the perfect summer sun hat. They offer sun protection, style, and comfort. Each hat is unique due to its handmade nature and with time and wear they find their shape on your head and truly become yours.
Silver Jewellery
Our jewellery is designed in Australia by Makers & Providers owners Alan and Prue. Inspired by their coastal environment and lifestyle, the collection spans from classic pieces to be worn every day to statement pieces featuring vibrant crystals and intricate detail. The collection caters for men and women with some of the pieces crossing over to be worn by both. This non-gender defined design has been a constant in the Makers & Providers range and gives its pieces a truly versatile nature.
Makers & Providers silver jewellery is ethically crafted from sterling (.925) or fine silver by skilled artisans in Mexico and Thailand who we know personally. We’re working towards a sustainable future by creating jewellery that supports traditional craftspeople and stands the test of time.
Leather Accessories
Makers & Providers leather accessories are defined by clean design, expert craftsmanship, and quality materials.
The skins used in our unique designs are full grain, sourced mainly from Italy and Japan for their excellent quality. We work with leather craftspeople locally in Melbourne and have long-standing relationships with makers in Java, Indonesia.
Our leather accessory collection features beautifully made bags, belts, wallets and pouches for men and women. These pieces wear well with time and become accessories you treasure for years to come.
Alpaca Knitwear
Knitted by hand in the mountains of Peru, our stunning scarves, gloves and hats are made from premium grade Alpaca yarn, grown high in the Andes at more than 3500m above sea level. The general rule of thumb with Alpaca is that the higher the altitude the softer the yarn. The pieces designed are lightweight yet luxuriously warm due to the natural qualities of the lustrous, silky Alpaca fibre.
Makers & Providers operates on Boon Wurrung country
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country, the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation as well as the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, culture, and community.
We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging.
We acknowledge that the earth we walk upon today was and always will be Indigenous lands.
Home
Mexico
One of our Mexican Maker's Workshop
