She Left America to Save Italy's Dying Crafts

Living in Italy as an American expat means more than aperitivo and cobblestone streets. I sat down with Sheri, a California interior designer who moved to Lucca seven years ago and ended up doing something nobody planned for: keeping centuries-old Italian artisan crafts alive through her business Artful Italia. We talk about what people back home said when she left, what nobody warns you about small town Italy, how she earns trust in a culture that doesn't open up easily, and what she'd tell anyone seriously thinking about moving here. CHAPTERS 0:00 She left America to save Italy's dying crafts 0:26 Meet Sherry — a Californian in Tuscany 1:39 How they found Lucca (hungover, jet lagged, and after an emergency landing) 3:27 What people back home said when you told them you were moving to Italy 4:26 Meet Jim — the Midwest guy who didn't start traveling until 50 7:42 What Sherry actually does in Lucca — Artful Italia explained 10:03 The artisans: who they are, what they make, how she finds them 12:52 Daily life in Lucca — bikes, the Medici Palace, and staying busy 16:48 What nobody tells you about living in a small Italian town 23:07 What would you tell someone who is afraid to move to Italy? 26:33 Amby's closing thoughts — why this story matters RESOURCES Move to Italy course (use code AMBIKA for 10% off) -- https://doingitaly.mykajabi.com/a/214... Learn Italian before you move: Babbel → https://babbel.sjv.io/0GjA4P Find Sherry's work: artfulitalia.com | @artfulitalia Subscribe for honest videos about life in Italy every week → @ambymathur Blog: travelwithamby.com Instagram/TikTok/YouTube: @ambymathur Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xb8ldE... Un bacio, Amby