I grew up around weaving and making. My father had a weaving mill and workshops across the country, so some of my earliest memories are of looms, natural fibers, tools, and the people who knew how to make things with their hands. I didn’t know then that I would eventually find my own way back to that world. What stayed with me was the atmosphere of it all: the raw materials, the creativity, and the quiet satisfaction of making something well.

Raised amid the verdant landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, my childhood was equally shaped by Oregon’s endless forests, pristine rivers, and rugged coastline. Whether hiking winding forest trails or windsurfing across alpine lakes, I was always drawn to the natural world and the idea of living in harmony with it.

My time at the University of Oregon deepened my interest in sustainability and the relationship between people and the natural world. Later, spending years traveling the world, I became curious about how different cultures lived and crafted things. It was during those journeys that I encountered traditions of handweaving very different from what I had known growing up. I watched skilled artisans transform humble plant fibers into extraordinary textiles using techniques passed down through generations. It felt both new and deeply familiar. I began to imagine how these ancient traditions, natural materials, and contemporary design might come together.

“The most meaningful things are often the simplest: nature, human hands, quiet, beauty, and time spent with those we love.”

I founded Hartmann&Forbes with a singular purpose: to create beautiful, enduring design from natural materials while honoring the craft of handweaving and helping ensure these traditions endure for generations to come. Nearly three decades later, we remain independent and founder-led, deeply committed to sustainability, craftsmanship, and innovation. While I’m proud of our recognition as one of Oregon’s Top 100 Green Companies, what matters most to me is the culture we’ve nurtured, one grounded in artistry, partnership, and enduring integrity.

Looking around today, I find myself surrounded by family, longtime colleagues, and people I genuinely love working alongside. Some have been part of Hartmann&Forbes for decades, and now my children are beginning to find their own place here as well. There is something deeply meaningful about that continuity. What began as a personal curiosity has become a shared journey, shaped by many hands, ideas, friendships, and lives along the way.

Together, we hold fast to the belief that the most meaningful things are often the simplest: nature, human hands, quiet, beauty, and time spent with those we love.

As we often say, we are not trying to change the world. We are striving to preserve its beauty and bring a little of the natural world into the places we call home.