Europe’s leading artisan workshop community launches in the UK
Europe’s leading artisan workshop community, Wecandoo, which empowers artisans to monetise their craft by teaching a wider consumer audience through workshops, has launched in the UK following a successful half a decade in Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. Specialising in quality craftsmanship from highly experienced makers, Wecandoo provides an opportunity to explore new skills and memorable experiences through face-to-face workshops, whilst empowering local artisans to grow their business and educate on the heritage and skill of craftsmanship, such as perfume-making, leather-working, mushroom-growing and more.
Since its conception in 2017, the Paris-based business has supported over 2,500 artisans across Europe - from jewellers, potters and woodcarvers to weavers, brewers and leather smiths - by facilitating over 250,000 consumer interactions. Each month, Wecandoo distributes €1M worth of sales to its local artisan community through workshop bookings, with the aim of keeping traditional craftsmanship and creative skills profitable for local business owners.
Before launching in Paris five years ago, founders Edouard Eyglunent, Grégoire Hugon and Arnaud Tiret travelled around France, meeting artisans to find out why there are so many misconceptions around their work, particularly related to the cost of craft. After collating a community of local artisans and setting up the Wecandoo platform, they confirmed the need for such a marketplace after early artisan partners saw a 40% increase in business activity. Since then the business has entered 3 new markets, employs over 60 staff currently, and raised €3.2M in funding in 2021.
With the number of people in the UK buying craft reaching 37.7M in 2020, Wecandoo’s opportune launch offers artisans the much-needed support to capitalise on this burgeoning market and replicate the success the business has found across Western Europe. Starting in the UK’s creative heart, London, there are currently 75 workshops available with 40 local artisans onboard, expected to grow to 200 workshops and 100 artisans by December. Wecandoo estimates that each of these artisans can earn approximately £1,000 extra per month through their workshops.
Given a report by the Crafts Council found almost half of British craft makers (46%) identify their biggest training requirement is learning how to use online platforms to sell their work, Wecandoo is a true pillar of support for artisans by not only promoting workshops on the platform, but also investing in content production and social media marketing to promote their work. In addition to entrepreneurship and back-office training, insurance cover and customer service management so they can solely focus on their craft.
Unlike its competitors, Wecandoo’s meticulous selection criteria mean artisans are vetted in person and handpicked for their unwavering passion and expertise, coupled with a genuine desire to pass on their craft and engage with customers who admire these skills and want to help keep them alive. Artisans either require a minimum of two years experience practising their trade or are professionally trained, and must have a dedicated workspace outside of their home where workshops can be hosted, to create a truly premium and professional experience for customers.
Edouard Eyglunent, co-founder of Wecandoo, said: “Myself, Grégoire and Arnaud started Wecandoo in Paris in 2017, with the goal of preserving extraordinary craftsmanship by supporting the artisans who keep the spirit of true craft alive and make learning craftsmanship fun. At Wecandoo we offer a platform that takes care of promotion, bookings and admin, so they can focus their energy into creating beautiful objects and unforgettable experiences that will inspire others to continue to learn more about artisanal craftsmanship. Currently 800 people a day are learning a new craft through Wecandoo, so we’re excited to connect Londoners to new experiences and skills that they might have never heard of or even considered before finding our platform. After Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, London was a focus for us as one of the world’s most creative cities with an abundance of skilled artisans and curious consumers.”
Nadia Rencontrez, London-based fashion designer and seamstress, and Wecandoo artisan partner, commented “Becoming a part of the growing Wecandoo community in London has been amazing so far, the element of support and human connection that they provide for artisans and creatives like me is unlike any other organisation I have worked with. I started my upcycling workshops in the first place because I love to share, teach and connect with those around me, and that is exactly what Wecandoo provides. I’m excited to share my skills and inspire more people to think about their clothes in a more sustainable way”.
