The Story
About Bartram Studio
Handcrafted with intention in Northeast Florida — shaped by shoreline walks, found materials, and a deep love for the natural world.
Hi there
I'm Amanda, the maker behind Bartram Studio.
After moving to Florida, I discovered that my happiest place was always near the ocean. Since then, I’ve spent countless hours walking the shoreline, collecting shells, sea glass, and the small, beautiful things the tide leaves behind. Those quiet moments — the salt air, the shifting light, the feeling of finding something unexpected — continue to shape the way I see and create.
Bartram Studio began as a way to share that love. From my home studio in St. Johns, Florida, I turn natural coastal materials into pieces meant to bring a little of that shoreline feeling into everyday spaces — the calm, the texture, and the quiet beauty that first drew me in.
The name is a nod to William Bartram, the naturalist who wandered through Florida in the 1700s and recorded its wild beauty with such care. That same spirit of noticing, collecting, and honoring the natural world guides my work and shapes every piece that comes out of my studio.
The Craft
What goes into each piece
Every item is made by hand — no mass production, no shortcuts.
Collecting
I gather materials slowly and intentionally, choosing pieces shaped by the coastline — shells, driftwood, sea glass, and other small remnants touched by time and tide. Each find begins as a moment of noticing.
Designing
Some designs start as sketches, while others take shape as I handle the materials themselves. I let texture, form, and natural character guide the direction of each piece, deciding when a design calls for resin to support or highlight the natural elements.
Crafting
This is the hands‑on heart of my work — shaping, carving, sanding, and refining with simple tools and a lot of patience. When a piece includes resin, I use it thoughtfully to preserve fragile materials or create structure while keeping the focus on the natural elements.
Finishing
I use natural oils and finishes where possible, and carefully sand and polish resin components so they feel smooth, durable, and cohesive with the organic materials. Each piece is completed with care, so it feels good in the hand and grounded in its origins.
What I believe
Art should be honest about where it comes from.
I believe that the things we live with should feel honest — connected to the places they come from and the hands that shaped them. Working with natural materials means embracing their imperfections, their history, and the quiet stories they carry. When a design calls for resin, I use it thoughtfully — not to replace the natural elements, but to protect and honor them.
My process is slow and intentional, rooted in respect for the coastline that inspires me. I collect thoughtfully, create carefully, and aim to make pieces that bring a sense of calm, presence, and natural beauty into everyday spaces.
Browse the Shop"The naturalist who goes to Florida expecting to find it a land of mere vegetation and torpid animal life, will find he has much to learn."
— William Bartram, Travels, 1791
Have a question or a custom idea?
I love hearing from people. Whether you’re curious about a piece, dreaming up something custom, or just want to say hello, I’m always happy to connect.