About Us

Why We Started Asking Hard Questions

Our journey didn’t begin as a business idea—it began with hardship.

After facing repeated miscarriages, a cancer diagnosis, and multiple joint replacements, we found ourselves walking through seasons that forced us to slow down and take a closer look at everything around us. Each challenge became a mountain to climb, and with each one came a deeper question:

What are we bringing into our home—and at what cost?

We began to rethink not just what we consumed, but what we trusted.

A Growing Concern About Product Safety

As we started paying closer attention, the headlines became impossible to ignore.

A March 2025 report from Business Insider revealed:
“The United States is facing a flood of Chinese consumer products that violate U.S. safety laws,” according to CPSC official Feldman. “When CPSC identifies illegal Chinese goods, the manufacturer is, more often than not, unreachable, unfindable, or uncooperative.”

News of recalls, lawsuits, and increased scrutiny surrounding imported goods put us on high alert. And this wasn’t new—it’s been happening for years.

A Pattern We Couldn’t Ignore

Many Americans will remember just a few of the most alarming cases:

  • 2007 Pet Food Crisis: Tainted pet food from China linked to the deaths of thousands of dogs across the U.S.
  • Lead-Tainted Toys: Millions of Chinese-made toys, including Thomas & Friends wooden trains and Marvel character dolls, found to contain dangerous levels of lead.
  • Heparin Contamination: Linked to 81 deaths and numerous illnesses.
  • Toxic Drywall: Sulfur-emitting drywall used in U.S. homes caused widespread health issues.
  • Defective Tires: Unsafe radial tires lacking critical safety features led to tread separation and fatalities.
  • Contaminated Toothpaste: Found to contain antifreeze chemicals.
  • Fentanyl Crisis: A devastating influx of illicit fentanyl contributing to thousands of overdose deaths nationwide and continues to this day.
  • Contaminated Seafood: Ongoing concerns, with recent findings of high levels of PFAS—“forever chemicals”—linked by the FDA to cancer, liver damage, pre-eclampsia, and high blood pressure.

This pattern wasn’t just concerning—it was personal.

A Return to Trust, Quality, and Home

Out of that concern, something meaningful began to take shape.

Artisan Shop USA is a proudly family-owned American small business built on a simple belief: Where something is made—and how it’s made—matters.

We are committed to showcasing the skill, heart, and creativity of American makers. Every vendor in our marketplace shares a passion for quality, authenticity, and craftsmanship you can trust.

Meet the Heart Behind the Mission

Lauren, co-founder of Artisan Shop USA, first envisioned a marketplace dedicated entirely to handmade in America goods.

Together with her husband Danny—who offers both financial support and steady encouragement—they are building something that reflects their values and their journey.

Lauren wasn’t born in the United States, but as she often says, “I got here as fast as I could.” Becoming an American citizen remains one of the proudest moments of her life.

While she enjoys visiting craft fairs and handmade markets, her greatest joy is found at home—creating, sharing ideas, and appreciating the beauty of work made by hand.

By her side is Daisymay, her calm and loyal English bulldog, along with a strong circle of family who continue to support and inspire her.

Where It All Began

One day, I watched my Mémère take apart one of Pépère’s wool suits. When I asked why, she smiled and said, “It’s going to you now.”

She laid out newspaper, cut a careful pattern, and turned it into something made just for me. I felt proud, cared for, and deeply loved.

But that wasn’t the only way she showed it. I remember standing in her kitchen, convinced there was nothing to eat. Somehow, she would look around, gather a few simple ingredients, and create something warm and delicious out of what seemed like nothing.

She gardened, baked, canned, and froze food—always preparing, always providing. While raising six children, she also helped support the family by renting out rooms to boarders. She made the most of what she had, and nothing was wasted.

And in all those youthful years, I don’t recall anything plastic in her kitchen—only wood, glass, and ceramic.

My time with my grandmother left a lasting impression.

It revealed something simple but powerful: Handmade goods are never just “things.”
They carry stories, heritage, and care.

An Invitation to Join Us

Today, Artisan Shop USA carries that same spirit forward—connecting customers with American makers whose work is built to last, filled with meaning, and made with heart.

We invite you to be part of this journey. Subscribe to our shop, support American craftsmanship, and rediscover the value of knowing where your products come from.

Daisymay.