Pour Yourself a Cup of Coffee

Hello! 

    Gianina here, the founder and creator of Well-Loved. I wanted to take a moment to reintroduce myself and tell you a little bit about what's important to me. Imagine if you will, that we are having our own coffee date, probally at Back in the Day Bakery, which is my favorite coffee shop in Savannah. It has great wooden tables, lots of light, and coffee cups so big that your coffee consumption feels like a challenge. I'm going to tell you a little bit about what's important to me and you can feel free to introduce yourself in the comments section. 

    I recently moved from Savannah, GA to Milwaukee, WI. I think a lot about leather, people, and the relationships we have with the things we own. I studied traditional shoemaking and fashion design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I am from Chicago and grew up sewing, baking recipes from scratch, talking to my dad while he fixed cars, and loving being in a family of storytellers.

    This dream of Well-Loved revealed itself to me through the years. It began with a spark when I looked through my family's attic and found some family heirlooms. I opened a mustard yellow suitcase and a travel closet popped out, inside I found the most beautiful black leather wallet with gold embossing and a red silk lining. I found books from the early 1900s, dresses with whimsical prints and elaborate embroidery, and a set of wedding rings that fit my husband and I perfectly.

    Finding, holding, and using these heirlooms felt like seeing the world in color. When I watch a movie or read a book and a cherished belonging is mentioned or described, I imagine this item with unimaginable colors, and worn in textures, and a story of it’s own. For the past five years I have been on a journey to take those dreamy items that are well-made, timeless, and have character and make them a reality. I am thankful to have you share this journey with me. 

-G