Walking between the narrow lanes of the inner town centre of Fermo, I thought about a fantastic friend, a fantastic woman and a fantastic blogger. She loves Italy and she writes beautifully about my own country.
Ishita, do you remember that day???
I’d like to refresh our experience together insiede the Piscine Romane!
Tucked away in a village in Le Marche is the workshop of Emanuele Francioni, a talented young artisan who is the sixth-generation to carry on an age-old family tradition. This special method of printing with handmade stencils and paint comes alive at Antica Stamperia di Carpegna.
Welcoming us with a smile, Emanuele is happy to demonstrate and explain the distinctive technique he learned from his grandfather. I’m about to enjoy an authentic artisan experience in Le Marche.
Carpegna, a small village in western le Marche, is not far from the bordering regions of Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. Emanuele’s expanded workshop is surrounded by fields of poppies and cherry trees, and a small garden where he cultivates his own hemp which he uses to weave the fabric he needs. The atmosphere is almost cerebral, very peaceful.
Emanuele is known as a stampatore, or printer. As he begins to explain the process in Italian, it’s apparent that he has a genuine passion for what he does. I love learning from these authentic artisans in Italy.
In the early 1800s his family began the business in Tuscany, and at the beginning of the 20th century they made the move to Le Marche.
Emanuele uses wooden stencils that he has created by hand from walnut.
He explains that he learned from his grandfather how to make these by chipping away with a tool.
These wooden stencils have a series of tiny nails pounded into them to create various patterns. Other stencils have designs hewn into the wood, by hand, of course.
When he is ready to stamp the pattern he dips the wooden stencil into a paint he has created by hand from natural materials.
He describes the color “rust,” as made from cornflower, vinegar, and rust from old nails.
He then demonstrates how to hold the heavy wooden stencil and meticulously places it on the fabric. Afterward he pounds it a few times with a hammer and lifts up the stencil to expose the pattern on the fabric.
Some of his creations are simple, like a bag, or an apron, and others are larger and much more complicated such as a tablecloth. He even creates the patterned fabric for shoes which are sold throughout Italy.
He used to use wool which would be cooked and pressed so as to appear like felt, which he used to make hats. They are both strong and waterproof. Today he works with hemp which he has been dyed and has three colors at his disposal, although he is always trying new techniques.
I am in awe of this entire process and it’s artisans like Emanuele Francioni that make me yearn to visit Italy and learn more about such a lost art as stamping. I appreciate the opportunity to try it for myself as Emanuele is kind enough to give each of us a chance to see how it is to create a stamped item. Grazie, Emanuele.
Emanuele also has a shop in Siena, below the Baptistery. It is inside the shop, Antichita Mazzoni, Piazza San Giovanni, 8 Phone: +39 0577 282091. Stop in and see his hand-crafted items the next time you’re in Tuscany. I love my apron and bag with his hand-made printed designs.
This visit to Antica Stamperia di Carpegna was an excursion provided by Palazzo Donati, my host during for three days in Le Marche. This is an example of an authentic artisan experience they can arrange when you stay at their villa in Mercatello sul Metauro in Le Marche. As always, the opinions and words expressed are my own.
Read more about my experience at Palazzo Donati.
We are proud to report this article published by the Sunday Times about our wonderful region.
“Let’s get the name straight: it’s pronounced “lay-mar-kay”, but the British call it the Marches. This eastern region has always existed on the sidelines, at one time the borderlands of the great Papal States and neglected today in favour of Tuscany and Umbria, its showier neighbours. Which is all the better for visitors”.
Check the entire article out:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/le-marche-italy-secret-region-guide-f5lkrjbhg
We are ready to bloom!!!
…and here is part 2 of the beautiful trip in Le Marche by our dear friend Vy. Enjoy!:-)
Another great post about the Vineyard Walk at Vigneti Santa Liberata from blogger and Italy’s lover Ishita!
https://ishitasood.com/2017/11/11/vineyard-walk-at-vigneti-santa-liberata/
Source: The Holy Town of Loreto
This is sooooo good!!!:-)
Beautiful post about Le Marche at “theculturetrip.com”
Please, check it out and please, more about this…
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/10-reasons-visit-le-marche-summer/
Thank You Vy!
PS: …please feel free to add even more good reasons to this list:-)
The Costarella in Numana
Inside the beautiful Rossi Theater
Panoramic view of the Conero’s Riviera
Veggie ‘Carbonara’ pasta
Photo credit: Il Carciofo di Montelupone
Just a reminder about the “OPEN CELLARS 2017” this weekend!
If you have the chance don’t miss this amazing event or…you will regret!:-)
“Cheers!”
Our friends in New York always ask about our home country: Italy is in the heart of Americans. I always feel very proud when they refer to our country not only as a territory rich in natural beauty, but also with an important heritage in history and culture, lifestyle, shopping and gastronomy.
Tourism has undergone an evolution and transformation in recent decades and travellers are more interested in experiencing the reality and the local traditions of the places they are visiting. Therefore, the food and wine industries have become more so important in order to communicate culture and tradition.
The popularity of Italian cuisine combined with the success of the wine industry (which has seen a significant growth in foreign exports), has greatly increased the demand for wine routes. The cellars are not only seen as places where wine is produced, but they take on an educational role combining the…
View original post 178 more words
Discovermarche 