Handmade in Bruges wants to raise its profile as a city of inspiring makers rooted in an age-old tradition and committed to creation and innovation.
Through this webshop you can buy unique creations from makers with the Handmade in Bruges label. Makers who practice their craft with passion and thus shape the world around us. Give your family or loved ones a handmade product. Surprise them with a gift box or a self-assembled package.
HANDMADE IN BRUGGE – CITY OF INSPIRING MAKERS
Bruges is a city of makers, people who shape the world around us every day with their passion and drive … the traditional way but also very contemporary at the same time. Even though Bruges is often associated with the virtuosity and mastery of craftsmen of the past, today, too, this city is home to many professionals, designers and craft businesses alike. Bruges has built itself a strong reputation in the field of gastronomy, calligraphy and letter sculpture, textiles and restoration.
Handmade in Brugge puts the Bruges-based makers on the map, both literally and figuratively speaking. Sample their traditional craftsmanship and be surprised by the mix of established names and new kids on the block, ancient and modern techniques!
HANDMADE IN BRUGES GUIDE
Curious about the today’s makers of Bruges? On the look-out for handmade products with a story?
This guide puts the Bruges-based makers on the map, both literally and figuratively speaking. Sample their traditional craftsmanship and be surprised by the mix of established names and new kids on the block, ancient and modern techniques!
This guide is available free of charge at the information office of the city or at Handmade in Brugge: De Makersrepubliek, Academiestraat 14, Brugge.
INSPIRING MAKERS: WALK-IN VISITS
Adolphe Sax & Cie
Karel Goetghebeur is determined to put Belgium back on the map as a centre for the saxophone. That is why he bought the rights to the brand name ‘Adolphe Sax & Cie’ in 2012. He is reviving the brand established by Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone, with a focus on contemporary ease of play, beautiful sounds and innovation. Gistelse Steenweg 97, 8200 Sint-Andries | 0497 55 55 85 Mon & Wen: 2pm to 6pm | Sat: 1pm to 5.30pm | or by appointment
Antiek Theatergalerij / Atelier Papageno
Beautiful antique shop with its own restoration workshop. Atelier Papageno is accomplished in both the antique and modern techniques of restoring furniture to its original condition and reupholstering seats. Vlamingstraat 52, 8000 Brugge | 050 33 05 94 Tue to Sat: 10am to noon & 2pm to 6pm
Arte / Grossé
More than 200 years of expertise in manufacturing and restoring religious vestments, candlesticks, chandeliers, holy water vessels, chalices … A visit to the studio is possible by appointment: 050 38 05 45. L. Bauwensstraat 17, 8200 Sint-Andries | 050 38 05 45 Mon to Fri: 8.30am to noon & 1.30pm to 5.30pm
Brouwerij De Halve Maan
The oldest working brewery of Bruges. Makers of Straffe Hendrik and Brugse Zot, both of which can be sampled on the spot. Walplein 26, 8000 Brugge | 050 44 42 22 Mon to Fri: guided tours every hour from 11am to 3pm. Sat & Sun: guided tours every hour from 11am to 4pm.
Cafuné Specialty Bar
Cafuné prides itself on being a speciality café, serving only the best quality, fair-trade, short-chain coffee. Each cup is meticulously made by passionate baristas Elliott and Maaike. Pure indulgence, especially if you also treat yourself to a slice of home-made cake, some sourdough bread or a bowl of granola. Academiestraat 8, 8000 Brugge | 0484 97 65 61
Mon, Thu & Fri: 8.30am to 5.30pm | Sat & Sun: 9am to 6pm
Chocolaterie Spegelaere
Chocolatier with the longest family tradition in Bruges. Their famous chocolate grapes, filled with marzipan or praliné, have now become a staple in many party buffets in Bruges. Ezelstraat 92, 8000 Brugge | 050 33 60 52
Tue to Sat: 8.30am to noon & 1.30pm to 6.30pm | Sun: 9am to 1pm
Chocolaterie Sukerbuyc / Tea-Room De Proeverie
The artisanal chocolates of this chocolatier are made on the premises according to traditional family recipes and can be sampled across the street in De Proeverie. Katelijnestraat 5-6, 8000 Brugge | 050 33 08 87 Mon to Sun: 9.30 to 6pm
Confiserie Zucchero
The sweet specialist of Bruges, where sweets of all shapes and sizes are made. In fact, you can even have them personalised for special occasions. O.L.V. Kerkhof-Zuid 18, 8000 Brugge | 050 33 39 62
Tue to Sat: 10am to 6pm | Sun: 11am to 6pm
De Broodsmid
Stefan Vandaele bakes bread and other delicious treats using traditional methods and all natural ingredients. His sourdough bread, artisan butter cookies and ‘baguette tradition’ are definitely worth a detour! Gistelse Steenweg 88, 8200 Sint-Andries | 050 31 31 32
Tue to Sun: 7am to 6pm
Diamantmuseum Brugge / Diamanthuis Brugge
It’s a little-known fact that Bruges has a long tradition in diamond trading and polishing. The diamond museum in Bruges is working hard to keep this history and tradition alive. You can watch a demonstration of diamond polishing, take a look around the diamond laboratory or buy your own unique jewel in Diamanthuis Brugge. Katelijnestraat 43, 8000 Brugge | 050 34 20 56 & 050 33 64 33 Mon to Sun: 10.30am to 5.30pm
Djamil Zenasni
Djamil Zenasni upholsters chairs and creates new pieces in a traditional way, using natural products. A must for fans of colourful fabrics! Hoogstraat 42, 8000 Brugge | 0478 23 21 07 Mon, Thu & Fri: 2pm tot 5pm | Sat: 10.30am to 12.30pm & 2pm to 5pm
Exclusive Drums
Dirk Defauw has been designing custom-made furniture for over 25 years. During that time, music and drumming have developed into more than just a hobby for Dirk, and his dream has now become reality with his business: ‘Exclusive Drums – custom made stave shell drums’. Pathoekeweg 34c, 8000 Brugge | 0477 79 87 77 Mon to Fri: 1.30pm to 6pm | Sat: 10am to noon & 1.30 to 6pm
Fort Lapin
Brewer Kristof has 8 beers to his name: among which the Hoplapin 6, the fruity Fort Lapin 6 with hibiscus, the bittersweet Fort Lapin 8 Tripel and the spicy Fort Lapin 10 Quadrupel. Koolkerkse Steenweg 32, 8000 Brugge | 0495 50 26 70 Fri: 10am to 6pm (shop) | Sat: 10am tot 6pm (shop & brewery) | also by appointment
Frederiek Van Pamel
Step into the wonderful world of floral artist Frederiek Van Pamel. Come and discover his new interiors and concept store, and don’t forget to take a look around the orangery and garden. Ezelstraat 33, 8000 Brugge | 050 34 44 80 Mon: 2pm to 6pm | Tue to Sat: 10am to 12.30pm & 1.30am to 6pm
Ginkgo Juwelen
Jonas Maes designs and makes his own jewellery collection in silver and gold. All the jewellery is designed and manufactured in his own workshop using a wide range of techniques: smelting, rolling, wire making, sawing, filing, soldering, polishing, etc. Mariastraat 12, 8000 Brugge | 0494 20 96 32 Tue to Thu: 1pm to 6pm | Fri & Sat: 10am to 6pm
Juliette Handmade Biscuits
The scent of cinnamon will bring you to Juliette’s. Speciality here is ‘speculoos’, which is offered in no fewer than 8 variations. Wollestraat 31A, 8000 Brugge | 050 34 84 40 Mon to Sun: 10am to 6pm | Sat: 10am to 6.30pm
Kantcentrum
A brand-new museum about an icon in the history of Bruges: lace! In the former lace school, the Lace Centre tells the story of lace, past and present. In the afternoon, you can watch today’s lace-makers hard at work or buy their fine lace in the shop! Balstraat 16, 8000 Brugge | 050 33 00 72 Mon to Sun: 9.30am to 5pm | Lace demonstrations: Mon to Sat: 2 to 5pm.
KinGin Juwelenatelier
Every day, Nikolaas and Nathalie work tête-à-tête at their immensely long counter for hours. Each piece passes through their hands. Their range includes both sleek silver, classical gold and gemstones. Ezelstraat 27, 8000 Brugge | 050 34 19 09 Tue to Fri: 2pm to 6.30pm | Sat: 9.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30pm to 6.30pm
Kunstateliers Slabbinck
Religious vestments, altar linens, banners and flags. For four generations, Slabbinck Art Studio has been making high-quality textiles for churches all over the world. Even the pope has been known to call on their services. The showroom is free to visit. L. Bauwensstraat 18, 8200 Sint-Andries | 050 31 25 57 Mon to Fri: 9am to 5pm
Maud Bekaert – Letters & letters in Steen
This letter sculptress has a cosy workshop-cum-store which you are bound to leave with a unique gift, where you can rummage in portfolios or discuss an order. Maud’s work can be recognised from the sleek and minimalist style. Sint-Clarastraat 40, 8000 Brugge | 0475 26 95 58 Fri: 10am to noon & 2pm to 6pm | Sat: 10am to 1pm
Papierschepperij Piet Moerman
Piet creates his own paper, including his own watermark, and he can do this for you in larger numbers. Greinschuurstraat 4, 8000 Brugge | 050 34 57 06 & 0473 45 15 47
Patisserie Academie
Patisserie that goes back to the essence: pure flavours, seasonal ingredients and a limited use of sugar and butter. The chef, who used to work in the threestar restaurant De Karmeliet, adds his own twist to traditional pastries. What, for example, would you say to an éclair with grapefruit, fromage frais and lemon grass? Vlamingstraat 56, 8000 Brugge | 050 68 92 91 Wen to Sun: 8am to 6pm
Pieter Boudens
Pioneer who introduced letter sculpting in Bruges roughly 40 years ago. Many were trained by him and followed in his footsteps, including his son Robrecht. Traditional, but also playful designs. Notelarendreef 29, 8200 Sint-Michiels | 050 38 47 91 & 0479 23 54 27 Mon to Fri: 9am to noon & 1am to 5pm | Sat: 2pm to 6pm
Pralinette
In the open workshop of chocolatier Pralinette you can see for yourself that all the chocolate is homemade. From self-created origin chocolate and a delicious caramel praline filling, to hand rolled truffles – one of the trademarks of Fangio De Baets. Wollestraat 31b, 8000 Brugge | 050 34 83 83 Mon to Sun: 9am to 6pm
Quijo
This exclusive jewellery shop has managed to come up with two brand new diamond cuts, something which promptly yielded a De Beers Award, the most prestigious prize a jeweller can win. Breidelstraat 18, 8000 Brugge | 050 34 10 10 Tue to Sat: 9.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30pm to 6pm
Recour
Recour makes all the clocks tick as before. They repair old and new wristwatches, standing and wall clocks. Braambergstraat 38, 8000 Brugge | 050 34 30 67 Mon to Fri: 9am to 12.15pm & 2pm to 6.30pm | Sat: 9am to 12.15pm & 2pm to 4pm
Shaperslab
The place to go for experienced surfers who are looking for quality, high-performance, custom-designed surf boards. Choose from the selection on offer or order your own bespoke board. All boards are made from scratch with the ultimate precision using epoxy resin. Langestraat 24, 8000 Brugge (Sales point at The Fat Flamingo) | 0486 16 06 96 Mon to Sat: 10am to 6pm
ShoeRecrafting
Luc re-soles and repairs your shoes the old-fashioned way, so that they are often even more comfortable than before! He has learnt the trade at Delvaux and in many famous houses. Langestraat 13, 8000 Brugge | 050 33 81 01 Tue to Sat: 7.30am to 6.30pm
Simbolik
At Simbolik you can wander into the wonderful world and open workshop of Nathalie Beelprez. Here you can find fine calligraphy and deeply meaningful texts woven together to create beautiful handmade works of art. Each one is original and unique! Katelijnestraat 139, 8000 Brugge | 0495 30 70 56 Thu to Sat: 10am to 6pm | Or by appointment
Standaert
Pol Standaert excels in the traditional manufacture of ornaments, plaster or other mouldings and stone fireplaces. The showrooms offer a sample of unmatched craftsmanship! Sat by appointment. Witteleertouwersstraat 48, 8000 Brugge | 050 33 27 32 Mon to Fri: 9am to 12.30pm & 2pm to 6pm | Sat: by appointment
Suère
Wedding, cocktail and party dresses, just the way you want them. Zilverstraat 29, 8000 Brugge | 050 34 16 74 Mon to Sat: 10am to noon & 1.30pm to 6pm | Thu: by appointment
Tête Pressée
A food store and a restaurant under the same roof. Everything is 100% self-made, using traditional local products of the very finest quality. Koningin Astridlaan 100, 8200 Sint-Michiels | 0470 21 26 27 Restaurant > Mon to Fri: lunch 11.30am to 3pm | Thu & Fri: diner 6.30pm to 9pm
Food store > Mon to Sat: 10am to 6.30pm | Thu & Fri: 10am to 8pm
The Chocolate Line
One of the few chocolate shops in the world mentioned in the Michelin Guide. Challenge your taste buds with combinations of chocolate with wasabi, onion, chilli pepper, cola or rice vinegar. Exciting chocolate creations, small artisan flavour explosions, craft and rock-’n-roll! Simon Stevinplein 19, 8000 Brugge | 050 34 10 90 Tue to Sat: 9.30am to 6.30pm | Mon & Sun: 10.30am to 6.30pm
Thomas Vandelanotte
Thomas is brewer-in-chief at Bourgogne de Flandres, a long-standing traditional Bruges brewery. Alongside its namesake brew, Thomas has also let his creativity run wild, brewing a selection of new and unique beers. Don’t forget to check out the cosy bar after your tour of the brewery, where you can sample some exciting brews. Kartuizerinnenstraat 6, 8000 Brugge | 050 33 54 26 Open for visitors > Tue to Sun: 10am to 6pm. Tours every hour, appointments can be made for other times.
Bar > Tue to Sun: 10:30am to 7pm.
INSPIRING MAKERS: BY APPOINTMENT
You will invariably find a craftsman in his studio, as the peace and quiet are vital for his concentration. The makers are only too happy to receive you in their studios. All of them create or repair items tailored to your needs.
Artinglass
Marcel Vlamynck knows all there is to know about glass! He is an expert in Australian, Czech and Italian glass blowing techniques as well as fusion and glass casting. Peraltastraat 53, 8000 Brugge | 0477 45 16 59
Annemie De Vadder
Annemie designs and makes modern stained glass windows from mouth-blown glass. She combines contemporary and graphic linear patterns with traditional techniques, such as yellow-staining with silver and other staining techniques. Pierlapont 104, 8210 Loppem | 050 20 83 88
Arrenbie Guitars
Versatile builder who covers the full spectrum of the steelstring guitar, but also builds mandolins, ukuleles and Weissenborn instruments. ‘t Leitje 33, 8310 Assebroek | 0486 40 40 55
Atelier-k5
Customised boxes, hand-bound books for special occasions … and this in all sorts of materials. Hendrik Consciencestraat 7, 8020 Oostkamp | 0475 83 78 28
Birgit Verplancke
Birgit Verplancke has a Masters in Conservation and Restoration, which she puts to good use in her work restoring stained glass windows. Thanks to her university training, she takes a thorough, scientific approach to her work. She also creates new windows, taking inspiration from rounded shapes and flowing lines. Gerard Davidstraat 35, 8000 Brugge | 0474 38 51 00
Blue Ocean Seafood
This business was established in 1885 as a sprat and herring smokehouse in ’t Gotje in the Bruges district of Sint Anna. Since moving out of the city centre in 1978, smoked salmon and halibut are also being produced. To this day the fish is still smoked on beech wood and cut by hand. Their excellent halibut and herring were given recognition as “Regional Products”. Kolvestraat 36, 8000 Sint-Pieters | 050 31 46 46
Brody Neuenschwander
World-renowned calligrapher and text artist with the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, fashion designer Dries van Noten, the Jewish Museum in Berlin, the BBC and director Peter Greenaway among his clients. Spinolarei 2, 8000 Brugge | 050 34 21 89
Bryggja Brewery
Franky Van Brabandt brews beer on a small scale, using traditional methods. Bryggia uses only Belgian hops and works with natural methods wherever possible, creating a selection of beers ranging from a light, summery beer to a highly-flavoured ‘tripel’ beer. Moerkerkebrug 3, 8340 Moerkerke | 050 37 50 96 & 0479 22 01 13
Cadavre Exquis Couture
Maya Langouche’s shop is the place to go for beautiful and imaginative costumes and corsetry. This young designer creates both historically inspired and fantastical pieces. From the designing and the drawing of the patterns, the sewing and the styling to the make-up and hand-made wigs, Maya is involved in the whole process! Predikherenstraat 37, 8000 Brugge | 050 48 06 00
Carl Delaey – Gastronaut
A cook-in-your-home chef with an eye for sustainability and fresh, local products of the finest quality. Straight from the field onto your plate! Kanunnik Duclosstraat 8, 8000 Brugge | 0475 67 50 13
Dominique Dufait
Timeless handbags and accessories made from vegetable tanned saddle leather and hand-sewn using the saddler’s stitch. Damse Vaart-Zuid 79, Sint-Kruis | 050 35 10 77
Embroidery Belle
Gold and pearl embroidery, ribbon embroidery, Luneville embroidery, 3D embroidery, Soutache embroidery, Ajour embroidery…you name it, Isabelle De Groote has mastered it. She shares her broad knowledge in the courses she offers as well as creating hand-made jewellery from textiles and leather and customised embroidery. Jan Van Hulststraat 2, 8000 Brugge | 0494 83 90 55
Herbert Monsieur
Three dimensional sculptures in stained glass. Daverlostraat 134, 8310 Assebroek | 0478 90 48 30
Hertog Jan
Joachim Boudens en Gert De Mangeleer bedrijven in hun restaurant de kunst van de eenvoud. Ze creëren voor hun gasten een unieke gastronomische totaalbeleving met respect voor product, medewerkers en duurzaamheid. Would you like to visit for lunch or dinner? Hurry then, because the doors will close for the last time in December 2018! Loppemsestraat 52, 8210 Zedelgem | 050 67 34 46
Tue to Sat: noon to 1.30pm & 7pm to 21pm | Wed: closed
Ilse Acke
Ilse uses graphic patterns, fabrics and colours to create unique scarves, cushions and tapestries. N. Fonteynestraat 17, 8730 Oedelem | 0468 22 34 44
Inge De Zutter
Inge De Zutter takes much of her inspiration from lace. She is a lecturer in lace and textiles at the Bruges Academy (DKO), where she passes on her knowledge of lace-making to a new generation. She is also busy with her own creations, incorporating lace into the arts of textiles, ceramics and porcelain. Blekerijstraat 75, 8310 Assebroek | 0483 40 50 21
Jabali
Job Verpoorte designs and builds hand-made wooden surf boards. The surfer, the waves, the environment and durabilty are all key considerations in the creation of these personalised boards. Thanks to their innovative, solid construction, the boards are especially strong and light. Walplein 42, 8000 Brugge | 0470 19 37 12
Jeffrey Vanhille
Furniture upholsterer with a passion for all things vintage. Ezelstraat 23, 8000 Brugge | 0499 70 99 59
Katrien Perquy
Katrien skilfully combines different textile techniques, such as felting, bobbin lace-making, weaving and embroidery. But she also incorporates eco-painting and printing into her visual and applied works. If you want to learn the techniques for yourself, you can follow one of her workshops. Tien Geboden 15, 8200 Sint-Andries | 050 28 03 93
Kristoffel Boudens
A ‘mature’ lettercutter, but still very much alive and kicking! You can find his work, amongst other locations, on the side wall of Restaurant De Florentijnen (corner Vlamingstraat). Werfstraat 90, 8000 Brugge | 0496 54 76 55
Mien Kaba
Dominique Vieren produces custom-made leather items. She creates quirky hand-made leather handbags and likes to experiment with unusual types of leather such as fish leather. Gistelse Steenweg 417, 8200 Sint-Andries | 0496 95 80 85
Opsmuk
Jan Misseeuw & Bieke Moeyaert combine their considerable talent. Graphic designer Bieke designs the furniture which is then built by Jan with the utmost respect for the natural materials he uses. Opsmuk offers custom-made furniture as well as lighting and small ornaments. Hoge Hul 45, 8000 Brugge | 0478 36 39 99
Oud Huis Deman
The oldest traditional biscuit bakery in the heart of Bruges! Founded in 1880, or five generations of women working with the same secret recipes for crackers of Bruges and ‘Lace biscuits’ (almond snaps). Vulderstraat 42, 8000 Brugge | 050 33 86 88
Pia Burrick Glaskunst
Contemporary glass art. Design and making of stained glass to harmonize with every interior. Fort Zevenbergen 8, 8200 Sint-Andries | 050 39 40 99
PL/NK
Designer and maker duo of contemporary furniture and stage designs in wood and metal. Snellegemsestraat 69A, 8210 Zedelgem | 0496 29 39 53
Terre du Nord
Nathalie Verdonck and Kris Devoldere are a creative pair. They both had a change of career, opening their workshop, TERRE DU NORD, to showcase their creations. They work with clay and porcelain, creating crockery, dishes, pots and more. Kardinaal Cardijnstraat 14, 8200 Sint-Andries | 0495 51 94 70
Toope Hoeden
Exclusive headwear, from stylish hair attachments to extravagant festive and bridal models. All made with passion and skill in their own workshop. Hoefijzerlaan 70, 8000 Brugge | 0478 27 26 61
Vanden Broele Handmade & Atelier Jacques
Cities and towns have been coming to Vanden Broele since 1957 for their quality leather wedding books with foil stamping. The business also binds books and registers, as well as making leather accessories and business gifts. Atelier Jacques is the latest spin-off, a new business which upcycles left-over leather and paper into cool designer products. Lieven Bauwensstraat 33, 8200 Sint-Andries | 050 45 61 77
Veerle Praet Couture
Welcome to the magical world of Veerle Praet, where every bridal gown, bridesmaid dress, city dress and children’s dress is a pièce unique. Boutique where girls’ dreams really come true! Wijnzakstraat 6, 8000 Brugge | 050 34 13 88
Yves Leterme
A calligrapher whose work is characterized by refinement, professionalism and boldness. Unique pieces on commission, free work, but also lectures and workshops. Praterstraat 4, 8310 Sint-Kruis | 0475 32 51 58
Yves Obyn
Artist and designer Yves Obyn creates limited edition interior objects, in-situ artistic installations and film and theatre sets. Yves takes his inspiration from popular culture and clearly has an eye for creativity. Peraltastraat 3, 8000 Brugge | 0478 15 82 20