Q: Tell us a little about yourself & your background in the arts & crafts world
A:December 1997 I was hired as extra Christmas Help at Handmade Galleries in Sherman Oaks... Handmade Galleries was a 5,000 sq ft retail space, where artists would rent space from us and we would be there to sell their wares. I immediately fell in love with the business. Fast forward 10 years later, managing the store, in charge of renting the spaces to artists and working on store promotion and having a space of my own, reselling vintage clothing and odd ends. (I have vintage resale/flea market experience, before Handmade). 

Q: What / who is your biggest inspiration?
A: My biggest inspiration? That's a tough one, I feel inspired daily by all the artists I work with. I've always had an eye... I would have to say my Mom! She's an amazing artist and has such an inspiring outlook on life. She's always saying... it's in "The Details" and that has kind of stuck with me.

Q: Tell us about a few favorites of yours: 
I've been working with Mark Brunner for 8 years, we met right after we open our Burbank store. I love his color sense and simplicity of subject matter. I like accessibility.

Reza Kassai is another artist I'm obsessed with. Again strong colors, his crazy girls are brilliant. I have so many favorites. If you've ever been in one of our shops... We really cover so many areas. Art, Jewelry, Ceramics I could go on and on. 

Q: What do you love most about the handmade movement?
A:The Handmade movement is so important. I love a community. I grew up in the 70's and have lived in communal settings. Creativity was always around. To this day nothing makes me feel more alive than connecting with community. The world is changing and with the disconnect, connecting has never been more important. 

Q: What is the most important feature in an artist's application for you? 
A: What I would be looking for... first something I've never seen before, originality. Interesting use of materials. I always like "eco friendly" items. My artistic style tends to be more on the wild side. I'm drawn to edgy works. But have been moved by color alone. I have a very organic process, I just know what interest me when I see it.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in being a part of the Jackalope Arts jury?  
A: I'm looking forward to expanding my horizon and hopefully helping to expand yours too... I love discovery! 

Q: Where can we find out more about you?
A: Find out more about me... WWW.MINDFULNEST.COM