The Artifact Blog

Most people know the name Williams-Sonoma, but few know the man behind it. Chuck Williams wasn’t just a retailer — he was a tastemaker, carpenter, WWII mechanic, and cookbook author who changed how Americans cook at home. This is why he deserves the title: the GOAT of home goods retail.

This essay explores Japan’s mingei movement and the philosophy of Soetsu Yanagi—where beauty lives in everyday objects and handmade work is a quiet form of resilience. In a time of AI-generated novelty, we look to the humble, the useful, and the ordinary.

Before there were aprons, there was a lunch tote. In this story from our Material Parables series, we revisit the very first ARTIFACT product—a simple bag born from necessity that helped shape a brand rooted in utility, character, and thoughtful design.

How our signature apron started as in-house shop gear—and became a staple for makers everywhere. Originally shared in our newsletter.

We turned a batch of original WWII era U.S. Army shelter halves—rugged canvas tent panels—into one-of-a-kind dopp kits. Each bears the marks of time, field repairs, and use. In this Material Parable, we explore what it means to preserve history through craft and give materials a second life.