Amsterdam: Made By Hand
Pia Jane Bijkerk, Australian by passport, photographer, stylist and author by trade, has after the success of her first book about Paris, focused on her new home's affinity for collectibles, antiques and hand made crafts with Amsterdam: Made by Hand.
Uncovering Amsterdam's arts
Visitors wander through Amsterdam, enamoured by its old European charm, the canal and boat houses, decorative churches and cats in the cafés, often to the detriment of their own safety as locals cycle by, nearly knocking the cameras from the visitors' faces. And while locals know they're lucky to live in this beautiful city, how often do they stop to photograph it?
One tourist-turned-local never let down the lens. Pia Jane Bijkerk finds and photographs Amsterdam's wonderful artisan stores and ateliers that craft a living from hand-made products. She uncovers a quilt company behind a traditional Dutch door, details a button shop with gallery space in the back and highlights furniture restorers, ceramic makers and much more.
Old Amsterdam, design forward
What might sound like a profile of dark, dank second-hand stores full of a Grandmother's mouldy deceased estate can be put to dust with a quick flick through the wonderfully laid out pages.
"Everything I photographed in the book is exactly as I found it in each studio or boutique," says Bijkerk. "For me it's really important to show the artisans' work in situ."
Indeed, these stylised boutiques and the objects within speak history rather than grow it.
With a nod to the past by minds for the future, says Bijkirk, "one of Amsterdam's unique characteristics is its ability to combine old and new in a design-forward way." Amsterdam artists look to create, not replicate, high quality antiquities for the years to nurture.
Exclusive, sophisticated, revered
Pia's discerning selection gives you an understanding that Amsterdam, as it was for centuries as a busy port, holds the finest worldly wares courtesy of its artists, brokers and proprietors.
"With my Made by Hand books I'm trying to bring the level of 'handmade' up to where I believe it should be,' She adds, 'exclusive, sophisticated, revered."
An alternative guide book
The book is divvied up into 10 city 'wanders', district-based walks to a treasure-trove of hide-a-ways and acts as an alternative guide book, with the odd favourite café or tea house of Bijkerk's for maintaing sustenance.
First timer's wander
First timers to Amsterdam eager to eye an atelier or two and a bouquet of boutiques might want to take the first wander down Haarlemmerdijk, beginning by Central Station.
"You can happily visit some beautiful handmade boutiques and if you meander off the street toward the Jordaan you will find old bridges, canals, charming houseboats and canal houses, all dotted by pretty local cafés and specialty stores."
Local's wander
And those locals who think they've seen everything in this town? Think again. "Last weekend (June 19) I hosted a wander from the book - I chose the de Pijp wander (chapter 10) as I think this is a great one for locals. There were 17 people altogether, half locals and half newcomers to the city and everyone discovered places they didn't know about, it was wonderful."
Paris first, now Amsterdam. Where to next for Pia Jane Bijkerk to uncover?
"Hmm, perhaps you can ask my publisher..."
Amsterdam: Made by Hand is published by The Little Bookroom. For more information visit Pia Jane Bijkerk or visit Pia's blog.
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