Artisans have been handcrafting alabaster in this part of Italy for many hundreds of years. I was…read morevery happy to learn about Giuseppe Famiglietti's alabaster lab and gallery in Volterra, an Etruscan city known throughout the world for its alabaster quarries. Giuseppe's family has been producing alabaster craft for generations. Giuseppe's unique artwork is displayed and for sale in the gallery. Giuseppe's lovely wife makes jewelry with alabaster and you can even buy alabaster beads from her. The alabaster bracelets and necklaces that you see for sale in other shops around Volterra are likely made by her.

This is the only shop in Volterra that specializes in Italian paper, inks, journals, pens, wax…read moreseals, and writing supplies. It's a small shop, about half the size of a one-car garage, and it's stocked floor to ceiling. I love what he's doing here. If you're a writer, you'll drop some cash here. The owner is quiet. Seems quite introverted. He's friendly. Can you make him smile?