Rainstick Trading began in 1993 on a market stall in London. It was founded by Jonathan Wells who had spent the previous six years traveling, including three years in Asia and a year at sea. It now operates out of a warehouse in Suffolk.

They find unusual and beautiful things, especially musical or wooden, and then develop long term relationships with their suppliers so that they can provide a reliable quality and supply. All of their products are hand made, usually by small groups of artisans or individuals. They are big supporters of traditionally made handicrafts, and not really supporters of factories.

They import from Mexico, Canada, Ecuador, Chile, Vietnam, Thailand, Bali, Morocco, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Senegal and Ghana.