CRAFTSMANSHIP OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS

During a dinner at a friend’s house, I came across an old book about craftsmanship in Mallorca — a true guide, complete with addresses and names, listing many of the traditional trades once found throughout the island’s local communities. Small businesses dedicated to the production of outstanding food products and traditional crafts — from woodworking to leather goods, from ceramics to wrought iron — all forming a map of genuine cultural heritage.

The Guide to Balearic Craftsmanship is a valuable testimony to the many trades now on the verge of extinction, and it reveals how, in the 40 years since its publication, the island’s social and economic fabric has unfortunately changed in substantial ways.

Searching Google for the names in the “nominative register of Balearic artisans,” it’s hard to find proof that many of these trades still exist. They read like old telephone directories no one uses anymore. In the digital age, we entrust our memories to computers. We’re used to storing photos, memories, and phone numbers on our smartphones. We rely more on hard drives and cloud servers than on folders, file boxes, pencils, and paper.

And yet — thankfully — there are still some trades that require getting your hands dirty.
Thanks to a few devoted individuals, Mallorca’s artisanal tradition remains alive. Some of these crafts and products have become true symbols of the island: leatherworking, shoemaking, glassblowing, the iconic llengües fabrics, woven palm goods — and, of course, ceramics.

What comes to mind immediately is the creative essence of savoir-faire — manual skill and the making of one-of-a-kind objects. That was precisely the case with BonSoul, when, in search of local artisan brands to bring this project to life, we approached a small local studio to create unique ceramics that — through their design, concept, and color — would remind us of Mallorca: its sun, its energy, its summer… in short, the soul of Hotel BonSol.

And so it was.
Vimbi Vimbi — or rather, its founders Natalia de Nicolás and Ana Nadal — immediately understood the vision. As the founders of BonSoul describe it:
"We felt they were genuinely excited about the idea of creating a collection inspired by the sun — by BonSol."

And as the pieces clearly demonstrate, they succeeded in capturing that vision — giving form to a stunning handcrafted ceramic collection, made without a wheel, that evokes summer, sunshine, Mallorca, and the feeling of vacation like no other collection we’ve seen.

They’ve managed to turn everyday items — plates, candles, jugs, mugs — into artistic, one-of-a-kind pieces that carry the BonSol soul within them.

As lovers of craftsmanship, we are deeply grateful to these artisans who choose to dedicate themselves to the ancient tradition of shaping clay — reviving a legacy of traditional making, while adding new and captivating designs that continue to inspire us.

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