Iris Hantverk preserves the centuries-old Swedish tradition of brush binding, where every piece is meticulously handcrafted by visually impaired artisans whose heightened tactile sensitivity creates products of exceptional quality. Working with premium natural materials—oiled oak, beech, and birchwood paired with horsehair, goat hair, and tampico fibers—each craftsman selects bristles by feel, ensuring perfect density and alignment. The binding process requires extraordinary precision: craftsmen wrap metal wire around bristle bundles with exact tension, securing them into hand-drilled holes in wooden handles. This traditional technique, unchanged since the late 1800s, creates brushes that improve with age as natural oils from use condition both wood and bristles. Each brush undergoes careful quality inspection, with craftsmen's hands detecting imperfections invisible to sight, resulting in tools that deliver superior performance for decades.

Founded in Stockholm in the late 1800s, Iris Hantverk emerged from Sweden's commitment to supporting the visually impaired community through meaningful employment. Current owners Richard Sparrenhök and Sara Edhäll acquired the company in 2012 when government funding ceased, driven by their dedication to preserving both the craft and the craftsmen's livelihoods. Today, their 17-person team centers around six visually impaired artisans from different cultural backgrounds who work in their Enskede workshop, maintaining traditions while embracing contemporary Scandinavian design principles. The company also collaborates with visually impaired craftsmen in Estonia, extending their mission internationally. This unique approach transforms what could be seen as limitation into remarkable strength—their craftsmen's enhanced sense of touch allows them to create brushes with consistency and quality that machine production cannot match, proving that traditional skills remain invaluable in our modern world.

Iris Hantverk sources exclusively natural materials that develop character through use: solid oak, beech, and birchwood handles treated with food-safe oils, paired with carefully selected animal and plant bristles chosen for specific functions. Goat hair provides gentle exfoliation for face brushes, while horsehair and tampico fibers offer varying degrees of firmness for body and household use. These materials age beautifully—wooden handles develop a rich patina while bristles become softer and more responsive over time. Care is simple: clean with warm water and gentle dish soap, then dry bristles-down to prevent water from damaging the wooden handle. Occasionally treat wood with cooking oil or cold-pressed linseed oil for nourishment. With proper care, these brushes often last decades, improving with age rather than deteriorating, embodying the sustainable philosophy of buying once and treasuring forever.