Explore Timeless Artistry
Discover Our Unique Collection
Cultural Treasures
Our collection showcases exquisite pieces that reflect the rich heritage of global artisans. Each item tells a story, connecting you to the traditions and craftsmanship of diverse cultures.
Artisan Masterpieces
Featuring handpicked artifacts, our selection highlights the skill and creativity of artisans worldwide. Experience the beauty and authenticity of each unique piece.
Heritage Highlights
Dive into our curated selection of heritage items that celebrate cultural diversity. Each piece is a testament to the artistry and history of its origin.
About The Craft World Tours Collection
The Barn in Byron: A World Brought into Focus
For forty years, a quiet barn and farmhouse studio in Byron, New York, served as a hidden sanctuary for a global archive of human ingenuity. Inside, tucked away in the rafters and organized in the studio, lay a lifetime’s assembly of treasures: vintage looms, hand-carved tools, and rare artifacts gathered from the most remote corners of the globe.
This was the world of Tom Muir Wilson and Sherry Clark Wilson.
The Architects of the Collection
Tom—”Big Tom” to those who knew him—was a polymath of the visual arts. A Cranbrook-educated sculptor and a titan of photography at RIT, he served as a Design Consultant for the George Eastman House, shaping how the world viewed photographic history.
Sherry was the heart of the collection’s technical brilliance. A Master of Textile Design (MFA, RIT), she possessed a professional designer’s eye and a profound respect for the “generosity of spirit” found in local craftspeople. Together, they founded Craft World Tours, an enterprise that for 27 years connected modern enthusiasts to the master artisans of five continents.
The Great Distillation: A Family Legacy Saved
The story of this collection is a saga of family devotion. When Tom and Sherry passed, the weight of this incredible estate fell to Tom’s daughter, Maura Muir Wilson. Facing the monumental task of emptying a forty-year repository, Maura made it her mission to ensure the collection remained intact.
With the help of her daughter, Jessie Muir Blumenfeld, and her husband, Charles Laurer, they painstakingly removed and secured every artifact, every loom, and every photograph—saving the collection from the elements and the passage of time. This “Great Distillation” involved transitioning thousands of pieces from the Byron barn through Rochester and eventually into our curated archive spaces.
The Stewardship
Following the tragic passing of Maura, the mantle of the estate passed to her daughter, Jessie Muir Blumenfeld. Today, Jessie’s father and Tom’s son-in-law, Marc Blumenfeld, serves as the Curator and Steward of the Craft World Tours Collection.
Marc’s unique perspective—rooted in deep family ties and firsthand knowledge of the original spirit of the Byron farm—ensures that every object is handled with the respect it deserves. His mission is to support Jessie in honoring their family’s history, ensuring the collection remains true to the vision of its founders.
What Sets Us Apart: The Photographic Record
We don’t just have the objects; we have their stories. One of the most incredible discoveries during the “Rescue” has now been relocated to a dedicated climate-controlled facility, the complete photographic record of Tom and Sherry’s journeys.
For many of our pieces—from the Textiles to the ceramics—we possess the original images of the specific moment and place they entered the collection. This allows us to trace the soul of an object back to the artisan’s hand, providing a level of provenance and authenticity rarely found in the private market.
Our Mission: Re-homing the Treasure
The Byron Barn is no longer the collection’s home; it has become the source of this mission. We are now responsible for ensuring that every object in this collection—each with its own history and “Wilson Provenance”—finds a new home where it will be used, displayed, and cherished.
From the meticulous restoration of a vintage Harrisville loom to the curation of global folk art, we invite you to become a part of this story by giving these collection objects a place in your own creative journey.
Explore Our Collection of Artistry
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Discover the Rich Heritage of Art
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Experience the Craftsmanship of Artisans
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Uncover the Stories Behind Each Piece
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Learn About Our Curatorial Process
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Join Us in Celebrating Global Art
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Honoring the Visionaries Behind the Collection
“A Lifetime of Curated Discovery: Tom & Sherry Wilson”
Tom and Sherry Wilson founded Craft World Tours with a shared belief that art is a bridge between cultures. For over 40 years, they traveled to the most remote corners of the globe—not just to find beautiful things, but to document the stories and traditions of the master artisans who created them.
Tom Muir Wilson: The Visionary Behind the Collection
The story of the Craft World Tours Collection begins with Tom Muir Wilson—a man whose life was defined by a profound curiosity for the world and an unwavering belief in the power of human connection. Tom wasn’t just a traveler; he was a scholar, an artist, and a bridge between cultures.
A Foundation in Art and Craft
Tom’s journey was rooted in the fine arts. After earning his degree from the Cranbrook Academy of Art, he spent two formative years living and studying in Italy. This experience ignited a lifelong passion for diverse cultures that would later become the heartbeat of his professional life. He further refined his eye for detail and design at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where he received his M.A. in Woodworking & Furniture Design. His early career saw him shaping how the world viewed art and history, serving as an Exhibit Designer at the George Eastman House and designing the renowned Mees Gallery of the Science of Photography.
The Professor and the Pioneer
Tom’s influence extended deep into the classroom. He spent over two decades as a Professor of Photography and Art at RIT, following tenures at Nazareth College and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. However, his classroom had no walls. In 1969, Tom began designing and leading special-interest travel programs. For over 40 years, he guided others across the globe, not as tourists, but as students of life. He didn’t just show people landmarks; he introduced them to the “generosity of spirit” found in local craftspeople and neighbors in every corner of the world.
A Life Full Circle
On June 7th, 2011, Tom’s journey reached its peaceful conclusion. He passed away at his Byron farmstead home and studio, a place of creative sanctuary for forty years. He was surrounded by his loving family, transitioning in the same spirit of peace and connection that he spent a lifetime cultivating.
A Lasting Legacy
Tom will always be remembered for his:
Forthright Honesty & Strength: A character built on integrity and a “gentle touch.”
Exuberance for Life: Marked by twinkling eyes and a legendary, hearty laughter.
Open Spirit: His heart and arms were always open to those he met, from his neighbors in New York to the artisans he visited overseas.
Tom’s mission was to create “ripples of goodwill” through travel and craft. Today, the Craft World Tours Collection continues to honor that mission, guided by the same principles of authenticity and cultural appreciation that Tom championed throughout his extraordinary life.
Sherry Clark Wilson: The Creative Soul of the Journey
The story of the Craft World Tours Collection is equally defined by the brilliance of Sherry Clark Wilson—a master of design, an expert in global textiles, and the organizational heart of a twenty-seven-year international partnership. Sherry didn’t just observe the world; she understood the intricate threads that connected people, places, and the art they created.
A Mastery of Design and Detail
Sherry’s life was dedicated to the study of form and function. After earning her B.A. in Art from the University of New Hampshire and working as a textile designer for J.P. Stevens, she earned her Master’s Degree in Textile Design from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). It was there that she met Tom, beginning a lifelong partnership of love and creative collaboration.
The Chronicler of Global Craft
As the director and astute manager of Craft World Tours, Sherry was the visionary who turned travel into a scholarly record. She was responsible for the diligent production of the periodic newsletters and meticulously crafted itineraries that we are proud to publish here on this site.
These documents are far more than travelogues; they provide deep, expert insights into the artisans, the techniques, and the cultural objects they encountered and acquired. Through her writing, Sherry transported readers into the weaving sheds and studios of the world, fostering a profound appreciation for the “generosity of spirit” found in village life.
A Life of Devotion and Beauty
In December of 2011, Sherry’s journey concluded with her family by her side in Rochester. Beyond her professional success, Sherry was a woman of profound devotion—to her husband Tom, to her extended family, and to the meticulously designed gardens she maintained at their beautiful home and studio in Byron.
A Lasting Legacy
Sherry will always be remembered for her:
- Creative Vision: A professional designer’s eye that recognized the value in every thread and artifact.
- The Written Record: Her commitment to documenting the “why” behind every acquisition, ensuring the provenance of the collection was never lost.
- Devotion to Craft: A lifelong mission to preserve the dignity of handmade traditions and the people who keep them alive.
Today, the Craft World Tours Collection honors Sherry’s technical mastery and her immense heart. Every textile we restore and every tool we rescue is a tribute to her belief that the things we make with our hands are the things that connect us most deeply.