Lyndsey James
Founder & Editor, The Artisan Founder
Lyndsey is the founder and editor of The Artisan Founder, an independent publication dedicated to celebrating artisan businesses and the people behind them.
Through founder interviews, industry news, product features and editorial collections, she documents the work of makers, designers and independent brands committed to thoughtful production, quality craftsmanship and enduring design.
Editorial Focus
Lyndsey writes about artisan businesses across a range of sectors including home and garden, wellbeing, style, food and drink, and printmaking.
Her work focuses on the stories behind products, the people who make them, and curating the finest artisan businesses into a growing Brand Directory for consumers to discover.
Lyndsey has a particular interest in the relationship between nature and craft, and the ways in which landscape, seasonality and natural materials influence the products we choose to bring into our homes and lives.
Experience
Before founding The Artisan Founder, Lyndsey spent more than 20 years in retail, ecommerce and hospitality.
Her experience spans business analysis, commercial photography and brand development, ecommerce and operating model strategy, user experience process planning, digital marketing automation, and supporting independent businesses in building strong and sustainable brands.
The practical experience building her own high street and ecommerce brands and working as a consultant for external clients informs her editorial approach, combining an understanding of both craftsmanship and commerce.
Industry Expertise
Lyndsey is regularly invited to share her expertise on ecommerce, independent retail and artisan businesses. Her insights and commentary have been featured by organisations and publications including Time Inc, Etsy, Folksy, Craft Central, The Guardian, Vodafone Business, Prima magazine, Country Homes & Interiors magazine, and Triumph’s Women in Making campaign.
Alongside her editorial work, she shares practical experience gained from building and growing multiple brands on Shopify and helps independent businesses strengthen their online presence.
Lyndsey also maintains a close interest in the future of making and regularly attends university degree shows and exhibitions to learn from emerging designers, makers and creative entrepreneurs.
The Artisan Founder
Founded by Lyndsey, The Artisan Founder is a curated directory, publication, weekly newsletter and podcast that helps readers discover exceptional artisan businesses while providing founders with opportunities to share their stories and reach new audiences.
The publication features founder interviews, artisan news such as product launches or collaborations, and curated seasonal product collections.
While The Artisan Founder celebrates craftsmanship, it is not solely a craft or a business publication. Its focus is the space where craft and commerce meet: the founders who have developed their skills into a distinctive collection of products, the businesses that continue to make in-house rather than outsource production, and the stories behind brands committed to quality, originality and thoughtful production.
Readers of The Artisan Founder are 90% UK based, 75% female, primarily in the 25-54 year old age groups. The top readership interests according to Google are Home & Garden, Shopping, and Food & Drink enthusiasts.
Podcast and Interviews
As host of The Artisan Founder Podcast, Lyndsey speaks with founders, makers and industry experts about the realities of building an independent artisan business.
These conversations provide valuable insight into the people, processes and values behind artisan brands and are enjoyed by both consumers and artisan business owners.
Areas of Interest
- Artisan and independent businesses
- Craftsmanship and making
- Artisan Home and Garden brands and products
- Artisan Food & Drink brands and products
- Makers of handmade Clothing, Jewellery and Accessories
- Creators of artisan wellbeing products
- Printmaking & Bookbinding
- British manufacturing
- Retail and ecommerce
- Brand building
- Founder stories
- Sustainable and thoughtful production
Contact
For editorial enquiries, founder story submissions, press information or collaboration opportunities, please visit the contact and feature pages.