Artisan Treasures: Comparing Craft Shopping in San Gimignano and Door County

San Gimignano rises from the Tuscan landscape like a medieval Manhattan, its stone towers creating a skyline that has remained largely unchanged since the 13th century. But it's not just the architecture that's preserved time here—it's the dedication to traditional craftsmanship.

My first morning in town, I woke early to beat the tour buses (a principal's habit of early rising dies hard, even on holiday). The morning light cast a golden glow on the stone as I wandered into Bottega Artigiana on Via San Matteo. Here, Sergio, a third-generation leather craftsman, was already at work on a hand-stitched bag. 'You are early like a true Italian,' he laughed, inviting me to watch his process.

What distinguishes San Gimignano's shopping experience is the opportunity to witness creation happening before your eyes. Unlike the mass-produced 'Italian leather' found in tourist traps across the country, here you can often meet the very person who will craft your purchase. I spent nearly an hour watching Sergio work while he explained how he selects different leathers for different purposes.

Ceramics are another highlight, with distinctive blue and yellow majolica pottery that reflects the town's medieval heritage. At La Bottega di Genoveffa, I found myself mesmerized by the hand-painted designs that haven't changed in centuries. When I mentioned I was a school principal, the owner pulled out designs created by local students who are learning the craft—a heartwarming educational connection across cultures.

The town's famous Vernaccia wine also makes for excellent shopping, though with considerably more weight consequences for your luggage. I recommend purchasing directly from smaller producers like Tenuta Torciano, where the family has been producing wine since 1720. Their tasting room offers shipping options that saved my suitcase from becoming a mobile wine cellar.

Let's address the elephant in the Tuscan room: prices in San Gimignano can induce mild cardiac events if you're unprepared. As a mid-range traveler who appreciates quality but isn't looking to remortgage my home for souvenirs, I quickly developed a strategy for distinguishing value from tourist markup.

First rule: if a shop displays 'Made in Italy' signs prominently in English, proceed with caution. The truly authentic workshops rarely need to advertise their Italian credentials—they're evident in the craftsmanship. Second rule: venture beyond Via San Giovanni (the main thoroughfare). Just two streets over, I found nearly identical ceramics for 30% less at La Terracotta di Toscana, where fourth-generation potter Marco creates pieces using clay from the surrounding hills.

For those seeking genuine value, I recommend bringing along a portable luggage scale to weigh potential purchases. Nothing dampens the joy of finding the perfect ceramic platter like discovering it will cost more in excess baggage fees than the item itself. This compact device saved me from an expensive surprise at check-in after I perhaps became too enthusiastic about Tuscan olive oils and wines.

Authenticity in San Gimignano often correlates with workshop visibility. The shops where you can actually see artisans working—cutting leather, painting ceramics, or carving alabaster—generally offer more authentic pieces. At Bottega dell'Alabastro, I watched as craftsmen transformed raw stone into delicate figurines, explaining that this tradition dates back to Etruscan times. The pieces weren't cheap, but understanding the skill involved made the investment feel worthwhile.

My most treasured purchase came from an unassuming workshop where I found Angela creating hand-marbled paper using techniques from the Renaissance. For €25, I acquired a journal bound in this paper that has become my travel diary for subsequent adventures—far more meaningful than mass-produced souvenirs costing twice as much.

Six thousand miles and one continent away from San Gimignano lies Door County—a peninsula jutting into Lake Michigan that feels worlds apart from Tuscany yet shares a surprising devotion to artisanal crafts. Where San Gimignano's traditions stretch back millennia, Door County represents a more recent American interpretation of craft culture, one that blends traditional techniques with contemporary innovation.

My exploration began in Fish Creek at Hands On Art Studio, a concept that would be almost heretical in tradition-bound Tuscany. Here, visitors become artisans themselves, creating pottery, glass art, and jewelry under expert guidance. As an educator, I was immediately drawn to this participatory approach. I spent a delightful afternoon crafting a fused glass plate that now serves as my key dish back home—a functional souvenir with a story.

Door County's craft scene reflects its natural environment in ways that parallel how Tuscan crafts reflect their medieval heritage. At Plum Bottom Gallery near Egg Harbor, I discovered pottery glazed in blues and greens that perfectly capture Lake Michigan's shifting hues. The artist, Chad, explained how he collects local minerals to incorporate into his glazes—a connection to place as profound as anything I found in Italy.

Textile arts flourish here too. At Textile Trail Studio in Baileys Harbor, I found handwoven scarves created on traditional looms but featuring distinctly modern designs. The owner, Karyn, showed me how she uses wool from Wisconsin sheep, hand-dyeing it using plants grown in her garden. I couldn't resist purchasing a merino wool scarf in stunning indigo tones that pairs beautifully with my travel blazer—a versatile piece that transitions effortlessly from planes to meetings to casual dinners, making it my go-to travel companion.

What struck me most was how Door County's artisans have embraced sustainability as part of their craft identity. At Kingfisher Farm & Studio, furniture maker Peter creates stunning pieces from trees felled by storms or disease on the peninsula. 'Nothing goes to waste here,' he told me while showing a cherry wood bowl whose rich color came from a tree struck by lightning just a mile away.

No discussion of artisanal shopping would be complete without addressing the edible crafts that define both regions. In San Gimignano, food and drink aren't just sustenance—they're souvenirs with centuries of tradition behind them.

The town's specialty, Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine, holds DOCG status (the highest quality designation in Italy) and has been produced here since at least the 1200s. At Tenuta Le Calcinaie, winemaker Simone explained how the mineral-rich soil gives the wine its distinctive character while pouring generous tastings. I left with two carefully wrapped bottles and shipping information for future orders.

Saffron has been cultivated around San Gimignano since medieval times, when it was so valuable it served as currency. At Spezieria Toscana, I discovered small packages of locally-grown saffron along with saffron-infused honey that makes an extraordinary addition to cheese plates back home.

Crossing to Door County, the culinary crafts take on a distinctly American character while maintaining a similar dedication to place. The peninsula's famous cherries appear in everything from jams to wines to the iconic cherry pie. At Seaquist Orchards Farm Market, I watched as cherries were transformed into preserves using recipes passed down through generations, the process not entirely unlike watching olive oil being pressed in Tuscany.

Door County's craft beverage scene rivals Italy's in passion if not in age. At Island Orchard Cider in Ellison Bay, I discovered apple ciders made in the French style that could hold their own against any European competitor. The cidery uses heritage apple varieties grown on Washington Island, creating a terroir as distinctive as any wine region.

For travelers concerned about fitting edible souvenirs into their luggage, I've found a packing cube set invaluable for organizing and protecting bottles and jars. The water-resistant material provides peace of mind against potential leaks, and the compression feature helps maximize limited suitcase space. After an unfortunate incident involving a broken bottle of olive oil in Tuscany some years ago, these have become essential to my shopping adventures.

Perhaps the most valuable souvenir from both destinations wasn't something I could wrap in tissue paper, but rather the conversations that accompanied each purchase. As an educator, I've always believed that meaningful learning happens through cultural exchange, and shopping for crafts provides a natural context for these interactions.

In San Gimignano, I quickly learned that rushing through a purchase is considered almost offensive. When I expressed interest in a hand-tooled leather journal at Bottega del Cuoio, the artisan, Francesco, insisted I sit down for an espresso while he explained the medieval binding technique he uses. What could have been a five-minute transaction became a 40-minute masterclass in Renaissance bookbinding. The journal cost more than I'd initially planned to spend, but the education that came with it was priceless.

I've found that asking specific questions about technique opens doors to deeper connections. Rather than the generic 'Did you make this?' try 'How long does it take to complete this type of piece?' or 'Where did you learn this technique?' In San Gimignano's ceramic shops, these questions led to stories about apprenticeships beginning in childhood and designs passed through generations.

Door County artisans share this appreciation for genuine interest but with an American openness that feels distinctly different. At Cappaert Contemporary Gallery, clay artist Ginnie immediately invited me to touch her textured ceramic pieces—something that would cause mild panic in most Italian galleries. 'Art should engage all the senses,' she explained, demonstrating how she creates texture using natural objects from Door County beaches.

Many Door County craftspeople are transplants who chose the peninsula specifically for its supportive arts community. Their stories often include previous careers abandoned in favor of creative fulfillment—a narrative I found particularly resonant as someone who balances educational leadership with creative pursuits.

To document these meaningful encounters, I use a travel journal dedicated specifically to craft shopping notes. I record artisan names, studio locations, and the stories behind pieces I purchase or admire. This practice has transformed shopping from a transactional experience to a documentary of cultural connections, creating a reference for future trips and a way to accurately share information about artisans with friends back home.