5 Crafting Wisdom Brands from Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai’s craft scene is more than souvenirs or weekend workshops—it is a living network of studios where heritage and design evolve together. These makers honor methods that have shaped northern Thailand for generations and show how local know-how can feel fresh, useful, and beautiful.

1. Angsa Jewelry

Filigree, or Yatlai in Thai, is a delicate jewelry-making technique with roots stretching back over 5,000 years. About half a century ago, a Chinese family brought this skill to Ban Kad in Chiang Mai, where it took root and flourished.

Today, Angsa Jewelry carries the tradition forward, creating handmade pieces that are simple, meaningful, and contemporary. Each design highlights the intricate artistry of filigree while using high-quality materials that tell the story of Lanna culture in a modern form.

2. Kintsugi by Rakker

Kintsugi by Rakker is more than a workshop—it is a cross-cultural journey. Beginning with Thailand’s rak lacquerware tradition and merging it with Japanese wisdom in urushi lacquer, the brand brings together two worlds of craftsmanship.

At its heart is kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with gold. Each restored piece is a reminder that imperfection can hold beauty, and that cracks can become stories rather than flaws. Rakker’s workshops let participants experience this philosophy firsthand and take home a piece of craft infused with meaning.

3. Prempracha’s Collection

San Kamphaeng, a district long associated with ceramics, is home to Prempracha’s Collection—a studio with decades of expertise in handmade stoneware. Known for its tableware, vases, and home décor, the brand’s work stands out for earthy glazes, clean forms, and remarkable consistency.

Prempracha is a rare example of a craft studio that has scaled while maintaining artisanal integrity. For those seeking design that bridges tradition and modern utility, this is a name that sets the benchmark.

4. Slowstitch Studio

Slowstitch Studio turns textiles into quiet works of art using time-honored shibori techniques. Each piece begins with patterns sketched on fabric, stitched, bound, and dyed. The threads are then carefully removed, revealing motifs that are always unique, soft-edged, and rhythmically imperfect.

Here, pattern becomes a visual language—an abstract dialogue between maker, material, and chance. Each creation is one-of-a-kind, shaped by patience, imperfection, and the maker’s hand.

5. Studio Naenna

Founded by textile expert Patricia Cheesman and now co-led by her daughter Lamorna, Studio Naenna champions natural dyes and ethical production. Working with local weaving groups, the studio produces scarves, garments, and fabrics showcasing ikat, brocade, and hand-stitching.

Visitors can also join workshops that trace the process from plant to pigment to cloth. The Chiang Mai gallery offers not only beautiful textiles but also a deeper appreciation of sustainable craft rooted in community.

Calling craft lovers. Fly to Chiang Mai with Thai Airways!