From the alabaster of Volterra to Daccordi bikes, with a stop in Ginestra Fiorentina for Matteo’s handcrafted sneakers: three stories that celebrate the beauty of imperfection and the work done by hand—and from the heart.
There’s a phrase that resonates with anyone who still believes in the beauty of things made with love:
“When you buy from a craftsman, you’re buying hundreds of hours of trial and error, months of frustration and moments of pure joy. You’re not just buying an object—you’re buying passion, a piece of someone’s life.”
This message was posted at the entrance of the Rossi alabaster workshop, right in the heart of Volterra. We read it during a visit, and it struck us so deeply that we felt the need to share it with anyone who values authenticity like we do.
That phrase speaks not only of a way of making things—but a way of living.
Three Craftsmen, One Soul
We took a photo of the craftsman at the Rossi workshop as he shaped the alabaster. A slow, precise gesture, filled with attention and respect for the material. The same respect we witnessed in Ginestra Fiorentina, where Matteo makes handmade sneakers one at a time, with rare dedication.
And the same respect we bring every day to our work at Daccordi. For nearly ninety years, we’ve been building handmade bicycle frames, one at a time, tailored to the rider, with carefully selected materials and time-refined techniques.
Three different stories, one common thread: no assembly lines, no race to the latest trend. Just passion, patience, and responsibility.
What Do Craftspeople Across Sectors Have in Common?
Whether it’s alabaster, shoes, or bicycles, a craftsperson always leaves an invisible signature on what they make. Every piece carries something of its maker: it is unique, unrepeatable.
Craftsmanship is an act of resistance in a world that never stops running. It’s a way of saying that time matters. That hands remember. That quality isn’t measured in numbers—but in emotions.
This is what unites all artisans: pride in doing things well, the will to leave something true behind, and the courage not to take shortcuts.
Value, Not Just a Product
Buying from a craftsperson is a conscious choice. It means bringing home not just an object, but a story. A fragment of culture. A gesture of respect toward those who build—and toward the environment.
It means supporting local work, reducing pollution, and encouraging a sustainable, human economy. It means, ultimately, giving the word value a whole new meaning.
Long live those who work with their hands. Long live those who put their soul into what they do. Long live those who choose not the easiest path—but the right one.
Long live craftsmanship.
