By Valerie Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/12/25 – When Oleksii and Tetiana Riabchenko left their war-torn homeland of Ukraine with little more than their children, a box of tools, and fragments of their workshop equipment, they carried something far greater than belongings, they carried a legacy of craft and the dream of rebuilding it on American soil. Today, their family brand, AltaadiR Woodcraft, is quietly making waves in the U.S. artisan community with handcrafted wooden mugs, tumblers, and keepsakes that blend Ukrainian tradition with American spirit.
Oleksii’s love for craftsmanship began in childhood, watching his grandfather work with wood in a modest garage. “He never needed to explain anything, the way he held his tools, the smell of freshly cut wood, the quiet pride in his eyes, all of it spoke louder than words,” he recalls.
Though Oleksii first explored leatherwork, creating hand-painted handbags, it was wood that became his true calling. Together with Tetiana, he built a small family business in Ukraine, crafting custom wooden drinkware that resonated deeply with international buyers, especially in the U.S., where more than 95% of their Etsy customers lived.
The war in Ukraine uprooted everything: their workshop, stability, and sense of security. Yet, even in the darkest times, their artistry found recognition. One of their mugs, presented at an international exhibition in Japan, won acclaim, a moment that gave them strength and reaffirmed their purpose.
When survival and creativity collided, the family made the difficult decision to move to the United States. “We arrived with two children, a few belongings, and the most essential parts of our equipment, an engraving machine in pieces, some finished products, and a box of tools. That was all we had.”
Their leap of faith was made possible by Elena, a kind American woman who believed in their vision and helped them settle in Connecticut.
At first, the Riabchenkos worked from a cramped apartment. Later, their rented townhouse basement became their workshop, a place where old tools from Ukraine sit beside newly purchased machines, each carrying its own story. “This is not just a workshop, it is a symbol of a new beginning and the realization of a dream with our own hands,” says Tetiana.
The brand name AltaadiR itself tells the story of family. It comes from the initials of their names: Alex (Oleksii), Tetiana, and their children, Adrian and Iryna.
Every AltaadiR piece is a marriage of function and artistry. They source oak, walnut, cedar, spruce, and birch, shaping each vessel on a lathe or CNC machine before hand-sanding, heat-treating, or polishing to perfection. Finishes of beeswax and natural oils enhance the wood’s texture while ensuring sustainability.
Signature touches, engraved brass or aluminum rings, symbolic motifs, or even LED-lit gift boxes, make their work more than utilitarian. “For us, functionality and artistry are not in conflict, they work in harmony,” Oleksii explains. “Even an everyday object can be a piece of art.”
Their inspiration remains rooted in Ukrainian traditions of cooperage and woodworking, yet their designs are enriched by American culture. Personalized beer mugs for groomsmen, handcrafted whiskey glasses, and bourbon sets have become especially popular with U.S. customers, creating a cultural bridge between the two worlds they now call home.
From Connecticut craft fairs to NY NOW, one of the nation’s premier trade shows, the family has found a warm welcome. Their work has been displayed at the Guilford Art Center and recognized by sustainable business networks, validating both their artistry and their eco-friendly practices. “Many of our customers became friends, and many strangers became supporters,” Tetiana shares.
Their children, Adrian and Iryna, are part of this story too. They help in small ways, adapt to new schools and a new language, and provide their parents with constant inspiration.
The Riabchenkos dream of expanding AltaadiR into a showroom space where visitors can sip coffee, watch the crafting process, and select meaningful gifts, a place infused with the warmth of family and creativity.
Their long-term vision is bold: to replace mass-produced goods with sustainable, handmade alternatives; to preserve endangered woodworking skills by teaching others; and to build a legacy that blends heritage with modern design.
More than anything, Oleksii and Tetiana want people to feel a sense of connection when they hold an AltaadiR piece. “Not just to the object itself, but to its story. To the warmth of hands that shaped it. To the forest where the wood once stood. To the craft tradition passed through generations. To the person who gifted it to them.”
Every mug, tumbler, or keepsake is meant to whisper: This will last. This was made with love. This belongs in your home.
AltaadiR’s journey, from a Ukrainian garage to an American basement workshop, is more than a story of survival. It is a testament to resilience, family, and the enduring power of craftsmanship.
(Oleksii also shared that his spoken English is still a work in progress since the family only moved to the United States in May of last year. For now, he finds it much easier to communicate to me via email rather than a zoom interview — a reminder of the many layers of adaptation involved in starting over in a new country.)
