TRAVELLING to Third World countries introduced Aileen Brindle to a different world.

Inspired by the dazzling jewellery being created by the artisans she met on her travels, the former Burley-in-Wharfedale and Ilkley resident recalls also being saddened to learn how, despite their talents, many were still making ends meet working in the sex trade in Bangkok.

"It really struck a chord with me. How can they have amazing craft skills and yet still end up in the sex trade?" she questioned.

Eager to support the artisans, Aileen could also see potential for profiling their high quality products among a wider audience.

For 25 years, Aileen has worked with craft communities and businesses around the globe as a buyer, trainer and mentor consulting to development agencies, fair trade companies and exporters to improve lives through design and trade.

Embracing those skills, she is now using them to showcase the artisans' talents to help create sustainable communities and enabling consumers to buy statement and uniquely designed pieces for their homes.

Aptly named FOAK (Few Of A Kind), Aileen's collection comprises beautiful hand-made products from her past and present projects.

As part of her design and marketing projects, or in a consultancy role for international clients, Aileen explains how she works closely with her network of crafts businesses and designers, helping to bring their products to market through a range of product design, marketing and business development ideas.

The collection of jewellery, accessories and funky home interiors, such as cushions, towels, rugs and throws, have been created with interesting techniques along with natural fibres in a mix of contemporary and traditional design by talented artisans, who are keeping traditional techniques alive.

Eye-catching embroidery and beadwork from Africa supporting rural development in Kwazulu-Natal; luxurious, natural homewear designed, woven and made with passion by Mungo South Africa; bold screen-printed Afri-Scandi home textiles from Cape Town; rare and beautiful bags hand-made and using sustainably sourced hides by design and manufacturing specialists in South Africa and hand-woven cotton rugs keeping traditional weaving techniques alive in Sri Lanka, are just some of FOAK's inspirational collection.

"Where I am coming from is looking at the development and how to support businesses and grow their capacity, but also it is about doing that through divine and quality products and pitching it at a higher level," explains Aileen.

"People do have amazing talents and skills and amazing traditions and they should be shown to a wider audience, but also they should be valued."

She previously lived in Burley, Skipton and Ilkley before moving to Timble, but retained her local connections through the Village Green fairs she previously ran in venues including Ilkley Playhouse and Burley-in-Wharfedale promoting the talents of local crafters and creators, before launching her latest venture – the pop-up shop held recently at Toast House Cafe in Ilkley to promote FOAK.

"This pop-up in Ilkley is as a result of me trying to do it independently and carrying on my work and taking it another stage further," says Aileen.