As we head into our fifth year hosting fairs in Pasadena, we want to take a moment and let you in on some of our favorite fun facts about the city we call home.

---

Rose Parade

Julie Horton Photography

A city staple since 1890 and something that Pasadena is known for, near and far.

Fun fact: You don’t have to wake up early / go out in the cold to see the floats in Pasadena New Years Day. Our favorite way to view floats is to check them out in the days following the Rose Parade, when they are lined up on Sierra Madre Blvd. Then you can actually get close enough to smell the flowers!

---

The Huntington

Tip: Make a reservation for the Rose Garden Tea Room! A great way to spend the afternoon. Wondering when to go?! There’s free admission on the first Thursday of every month with advanced tickets!

---

City Hall

Bario LA

Nothing makes a day of bureaucracy better than heading into a beautiful building to take care of it. Pasadena’s City Hall is a spectacular site, and one of the prettiest we’ve ever seen.

---

First Ever Trader Joe’s

That’s right! Home of the tiny parking lots started right here on Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena in 1967.

---

Caltech and JPL are here!

Pasadena is home to some of the biggest names in education and tech, with JPL and Caltech both residing within.

---

Hiking

Eaton Canyon and more, hiking is right around the corner with views that can show you all of LA from the Northwestern corner in Pasadena!

Pro tip - If you head to the falls in late summer odds are the waterfall will be more of a sad trickle.

---

Wild Parrots

Ursula Heise

There are several theories out there on the origin of the wild parrots found all over Pasadena. What we do know is that they’re loud, and travel in huge packs! It’s a bit of a love-hate relationship here…. depends on the time of day.

This Spring Jackalope Pasadena decided to welcome Brighter Future Charity as our event beneficiary! Although the fair is as always free to attend, we want to encourage donations to Brighter Future and the families they help. Learn more about them below why we want to help out!

1. When was Brighter Future Charities Founded? Brighter Future was founded in 2013

2. Why did Brighter Future start? BFC was founded as a result of our founder, Mila Larios, noticing a sincere lack of inclusive support programs for families affected by autism. After one of her good friend's children was diagnosed with autism, Mila set out to create a support program to help others affected and bring about awareness in the surrounding communities. 

3. What makes Brighter Future so unique and special? One of the main things that makes BFC so unique is our focus on connecting our students with the community. So often you hear stories in the news of individuals with developmental issues only when speaking of motive or crime. BFC works to give a real face to the story of autism and help communities understand how to support those with autism. Not only that, but we work to showcase and support our autistic artists, who teach workshops and sell art at events to raise money for autism. 

4. Why are you excited to partner with Jackalope this Spring? We are excited to partner with Jackalope in the Spring after having such an amazing fair with you last fall. Our artists got so much out of seeing all the different ways in which they could turn their passion for art into a vehicle towards independence. Not only that, but our group could not get enough of the amazing activities offered to Jackalope patrons.  

BFC artists making Pinch Pots at Jackalope Pasadena with Cobalt and Clay!

5. Where can we learn more about Brighter Future and how can we help? For more information please visit our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/brighterfuturecharity/ or on our website at www.brighterfuturecharity.org

How did you get your start in the handmade community? 

I started a jewelry business called Wasabi back in 1992. I had always loved Jewelry and took classes in high school and college. I wanted to have my own business from an early age and loved fashion. After working in Retail and manufacturing I took a leap. With the support of my new husband and sister, I took some jewelry making classes and started Wasabi as a fashion freshwater pearl line. I continue to work with a few stores but focus on representing handmade artists at Hömage now. 

What/Who is your biggest inspiration? 

My mom! She would be considered a stay at home mother, but she was a creative go-getter and super active.  She always had us doing some kind of project in Campfire Girls or for fun and was a part of the crafting community where she always killed it at boutiques! She also inspired me to give back through volunteering and was named Woman of the Year by our local newspaper! 

Tell us a few favorites of yours (animal, tv show, weekend activity, food etc)?

Totally a cat person. Meow! Love Project Runway’s incredible creativity, plus I can also relate to the pressure because of my jewelry business where “one day you’re in and the next day you’re out." It’s so important to stay innovative! 

What do you love most about the handmade movement?

Personal connection, in life, is one of the most important things to our well-being. Being able to work with people who are so passionate about what they do and communicate that to our customers, in person, gives us a chance to have an impact on the public. The ability and value in touching and feeling handmade products reminds us that we are human and connected in some way. Slow Shopping, instead of internet shopping, is like Slow Coffee. It’s so much more satisfying!

What is the most important feature in an artists application for you?

Originality, quality and a well rounded presentation. 

What are you looking forward to the most in joining the jury panel with Jackalope?

The opportunity to influence the market choices and to provide feedback to emerging artists, if that is possible. 

1. How did you get your start in the handmade community?

We started our business together as friends and moms of toddlers going to the same Waldorf school, where we were first exposed to needle felting and all things wool. After spending a lot of time together making things for fun, we decided to sell them to a wider audience. We were so excited when were accepted into our first local craft show! Here we are four years later. We feel very excited to be a part of the handmade community and among so many talented designers.

2. What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?

With us you get two creative brains for the price of one! The two of us collaborate on every creative decision and we always agree! We loooove color and texture and beauty, aren’t afraid to let our creations be whimsical and even...<cough>..cute. We aren’t trying to take someone else’s work and do it better, we are making things we’ve never come across before in the needle felting medium. We are always learning and exploring and best of all we are having fun doing it!

3. What or Who Inspires you?

When receiving custom orders often the person ordering will offer many intimate details about their lives and their children’s lives. These gems are sources of amazing inspiration to us as we feel so honored to be a part of their lives, if for just a moment. We are inspired by fairy tales and stories. Visually, we are inspired by beautiful children’s book illustrations. Colors and textures will get us purring like kittens. The creativity of other artists of any form are always inspiring.

4. What is your creative process like?

We start with discussing the client's wish list of ideas and each of us pulling from our inspirational Pinterest boards or books. Then we come back together to collaborate and sketch out a design (or two). Whichever one of us feels more passionate about the design usually creates the actual crown.

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

To trust ourselves and our creative eye.

6. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?
We are working on some new crown and wall hanging designs exclusively for Jackalope. We will have coin purses, slippers, mobiles and home decor as well.

7. Where can we learn more about you?

You can follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (mirthdesignsstudio) as well as our website mirthdesigns.com

1. How did you get your start in the handmade community?

I've always been a "crafty" person. From wedding headpieces, to beaded bracelets, to t-shirts, I've had my hands in everything! But I always wanted to work with metal. I put it off for years until I decided to go for it and I took an 8 week class learning the art of Lost Wax Casting. Instantly, I was in love. I unfortunately, can't wear anything except solid Sterling Silver and Gold, so I kind of selfishly started out making things for myself. Slowly I started getting questions about what I was wearing and where people could buy it and well, I guess that's where Moure started!

2. What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?

I think that the main thing that draws people to my work is the what I like to call "perfect imperfection" of it. I try and make my jewelry with a sense of organic unevenness. No one is perfect, but it's those little differences within us all that makes us each so unique in our own way. That's where I like to carve from. The fact that every individual is beautiful in their own magical way- just like each irregular raw crystal or rough diamond I use in my designs. Every single piece of Moure is a one of a kind. Even items that I now have molds for, I go back in before casting into metal and change it in some way so that it is truly unique, just like it's wearer.   

3. What or Who Inspires you?

Natural beauty inspires me. I absolutely love using stones, crystals and diamonds that are raw and unfinished. They shine in such a special lovely way. Nature does this thing called "what I want" and in doing so makes some pretty gorgeous and unusual gems. I love getting to showcase her amazing beauty in my work.  

4. What is your creative process like?

This sounds silly, but a lot of my designs come to me in dreams. I can't draw or sketch if my life depended on it. So, I have to immediately jump up and go into my work space to start carving when I wake up before I forget what I dreamt! Other then that I usually let the stones do the talking. I usually fall in love with a stone first and then create a piece to fit around it. I'm like a crow, shiny things make me happy :)

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

I think the coolest tip I ever received was to just go for it. No matter how weird or crazy you think your idea or design is, DO IT. Sometimes its hard for artists to put themselves out there to be judged. You are putting out a tiny section of your heart and its hard to not want to shy away and hide from "judgmental" eyes. But what if that judgment is praise? You'll never know until you jump in.. Everyone has a little tid bit of weird and crazy in them so let your creative freak fly baby! Never be afraid to show who you are.  

6. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

I'm bringing a bunch of newness to Jackalope! I will have my ear jackets, and Sterling Silver as usual, but a lot more 14K Gold and larger Crystal treasures. I'm also going to be bringing what I'm calling Moure Pinata bags. They are side slung bucket bags made of African mud cloth. All are hand sewn here, in LA that I've sprinkled with some tiny bead work and handmade large scale tassels. Super fun! 

7. Where can we learn more about you?

Mouredesigns.com!

1. How did you get your start in the handmade community? 

My grandma taught me how to crochet one summer and I started making earrings out of crochet and buttons. At this time I was studying art at UCLA. I took the option to study abroad in South Africa for 1 semester. So I started wearing these earrings to my art classes there and many students wanted to buy them. When I came back to UCLA the same thing happened. Being near very eclectic and cool boutiques, I started selling them on consignment at a few shops in the area. 

2. What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?

My approach in making/designing. I come from a fine art background so the initial stage is sketching out shapes from the environment. The things I find interesting can be very ordinary or a small detail of something. Then I think, can I wear this, would I want to wear this, how can I make it so it can be worn, what materials will help me achieve this idea? I am interested in making timeless pieces, not trends. It's also exciting to make pieces that are modular. Simple pieces that can be combined, rearranged, and reimagined by the wearer (such as the front back earrings and second hole earrings)

3. What or Who Inspires you?

It's hard to find things that don't inspire me. I see fascinating shapes everywhere. Shadows, strange angles of furniture, my backyard, construction sites, wires sticking out from electrical poles, unfinished buildings. I take quick photos of them and look through them at home. Going to a contemporary museum is super inspiring. I go with my 4 year-old son so it's even more eye opening seeing it from his point-of-view. Also, hardware stores are great for ideas. I go through each aisle looking at tools, parts, shapes. 

4. What is your creative process like?

I have a sketchbook and I make small drawings here and there. Being a mom I don't have the luxury of having a long stretch of time to focus on one thing. So when I have 20mins, I just stop and look around and search for shapes that catch my eye and document them. I make a lot of little drawings and I am not precious about them, I just put as many ideas down as they come. When I get a bit of quiet time (usually when my son is asleep) I look through all the drawings (and sometimes photos) and pick out a few and manipulate them and think about how they can be simplified and become wearable objects. Then I may make some samples. 

But sometimes this process is completely flipped. I love hardware stores and when I find a really cool part or piece there I think, how can I incorporate this into my work. So sometimes the work is completely informed by the material. 

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

The value of learning many techniques. I love to learn and having many making solutions under your belt puts you in a position to fully realize your ideas. 

6. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

I will have minimalistic, playful, versatile earrings and necklaces. I look forward to helping shoppers try them on and find their own combinations. Almost every earring design has the option of being sold per piece (instead of as a pair) so you can create different asymmetrical looks. It's so exciting to see my work on someone else, it totally changes the context. As soon as they wear it, it becomes something else, something new. 

7. Where can we learn more about you?

www.sonemade.etsy.com

www.instagram.com/sonemade

www.facebook.com/sonemadeshop

1. How did you get your start in the handmade community?

As far back as I can remember I have always created, whether it was a piece of paper folded into origami or a custom hand made table.  The act of making comes natural to me and the most important tools in the studio are my hands.  This market will actually be one of the few times I've exhibited and sold my artwork at a handmade community fair so I’m hoping for the best.

2. What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?

To be honest I actually feel that the true artist is nature itself,  I'm just presenting it in a way that can be appreciated as artwork.  I love materials and how they exist just as they are, the texture of clay when dry creates a network of cracks,  the patterns found in wood grain or on a leaf.  These are the things that influence my work and push me to create.

3. What or Who Inspires you?

Most of my inspiration comes from nature and the patterns, textures, and geometry found within it.  The several artist that have a huge influence on my work are Bryan Nash Gill,  Analia Saban, and Andy Goldsworthy.  All of these artist in their own way incorporate nature, texture, and pattern which I strive to achieve.

4. What is your creative process like?

I have to create to feel mentally and physically healthy.  Without making and creating I kind of feel lost.  Surfing, hiking, and just being immersed in nature definitely contributes to my creative process.  The duality of my creative process can vary.  At one moment it can be very methodical, planned out and hypnotic and on the other hand it can be completely spontaneous and random.  It depends on what I'm trying to achieve at that moment in time spent in the studio.  

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

The best piece of advice I have ever received was from the artist Bryan Nash Gill who told me to keep creating and to really listen to my process, to let the work take me there, to show my work wherever and whenever I was given the opportunity.  He said that one of the hardest things for any artist to achieve is to be noticed by a gallery unless you are the lucky 1% of artists that do get picked up by one.  He told me that I may be a gallery artist but I also may be a great craftsman.  

6. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

Quality pieces that I put my heart into. Each piece that I make has a high standard of craftsmanship.  These qualities and attention to detail are what I put into all my work whether it's an art piece, a custom table or a walnut cutting board, each piece is made with love and is held to my highest standard.  

7. Where can we learn more about you?

You can learn more about me on my website www.andremirzaian.com and on my instagram profile andremirzaian.   

1. How did you get your start in the handmade community? 

I enjoy attending the incredible community markets here in Northern California, and always leave inspired to create something of my own. I love collecting and finding ways to make things that fit my personal style, which led me to hand-painting natural bamboo housewares.

2. What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?

I’m super meticulous, pouring my heart and soul into each of my pieces. They become an extension of me. Each piece tells a story or emotion for me. At times it can be difficult to let go of them when sold!

3. What or Who Inspires you?

I’m extremely inspired by the mid-century modern aesthetic. As a life-long Californian, the influence that the West Coast’s ‘Sunbaked Modernism’ has had on my work is undeniable.

4. What is your creative process like?

I work best in spurts. I find that most of the time I need to mentally prepare myself to sit before beginning to paint. Magazines help spark fresh color combinations. I also find inspiration in the shapes of California-native plants and landscapes.

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

Even when you’re trying to make money with it, remember to stay true to what you love about making art or it will just become a job.

6. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

I’ll bring my full line of customized housewares. Everything from bamboo planters, chopping boards and utensils to stoneware will be on hand. 

7. Where can we learn more about you?

You can learn more about me through social media @Nevmade, and online at NevMade.com. NevMade items are also available through many West Elm retail locations throughout California.

1. How did you get your start in the handmade community? 

My mother taught me how to sew when I was about 7 years old and I never stopped.  I made my entire wardrobe in high school and my first job was at a bridal shop altering wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and even my classmates prom gowns.  After college, I moved from a small town outside of Pittsburgh, PA to Los Angeles where I made a career for myself in the fashion industry as a production manager, product developer, and fashion designer.  I started my first business, Iron Doll Clothing, when I was 26 years old making uniforms and athletic apparel for roller derby skaters all over the world.  And then, like most stories, I started a family and was forced to scale way back on everything I did.  I let go of my first business and returned to being a fashion designer for someone else's small business.  While the fast fashion day job paid the bills, it lacked personal creativity and expression.  I yearned to be hands on, back at the sewing machine, and often day dreamed of the little outfits my mother sewed for me as a girl and the special bond it created between us.  It became obvious that a girls clothing line was the perfect side business for me and my family.  In August 2016, I slowly started to explore Etsy, local markets, and began following business bloggers who focused on helping handmade businesses.  The handmade community was absolutely fascinating to me and honestly a little mind boggling.  I seemed to have the opposite problem of most makers.  Having a background in mass garment production, it's very easy for me to figure out how to make 100-1000 of the same thing.  I was used to working with employees, I had pricing knowledge, product development experience, and understood wholesale very well.  But I couldn't really wrap my brain around producing and selling on a smaller scale.  And yet the intimacy and personal attention given to each piece, each customer, really called to me.  Spending quality time on design was why I fell in love with sewing in the first place and I wanted those feelings back in my life.  I started both an online Etsy shop and a Shopify shop and immediately signed up for several local Spring markets - all before I really even had finished product to sell!  But it motivated me to hit the sewing machine hard and soon my first Spring collection was released early 2017.  Even now I continue to fall in love with the community, the people, and the customers.  It's a very unique and loving place to be.

2. What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?

My husband, Jorge, comes from a family that's been in the pleating and stitching business for two generations.  He owns an 11,000 square foot facility outside of downtown Los Angeles called ACE Pleating & Stitching and does specialized fabric manipulation for the garment industry, costumers, and high end fashion designers.  He handles the complex machinery and technical steps that bring my visions to life.  If a machine doesn't exist to accomplish the look I want, he can Frankenstein one together for me.  I have the eye for fabrics and colors as well as the skills to bring our customers high quality, well fitting garments.  Our daughters are our models, our inspiration, and our number one product testers.  It is a combination of artists and family that make our clothing so unique and personal. 

3. What or Who Inspires you?

Family.  My mother, father, husband, and my girls are my biggest inspiration.  My parents both worked full time jobs and still managed to raise two kids while enjoying hobbies like building their own house and growing their own vegetables.  Artists at heart, they had a hands on, do it yourself approach to everything.  Their work ethic and creativity runs through my blood and I'm so proud of all they have done and continue to accomplish.  My husband is the same way, hard working, very attentive to details and getting the job done right through quality over quantity.  And our two beautiful children, viewing the world through their eyes brings fresh perspective and beauty to our surroundings.  Everything is new to them and it's really forced me to slow down and take in the world around me.

4. What is your creative process like?

I'm a very visual, paper and pencil, trial and error kind of person.  I have to see the finished product in order to make design decisions.  I love scrolling through fashion photography, lifestyle brands, and magazines.  I feed off the emotions imagery projects and hone in on those trends and ideas.  Then I create mood boards of colors, silhouettes, and photography that inspires my collections.  And finally, I hit my studio, drafting patterns, cutting samples, and sewing.  I'll repeat the sampling process, tweaking the patterns, cutting and sewing new samples until I am satisfied with the final product.  It's a very tedious process, but completely worth it when I hear a customer notice and praise every detail I put into the piece.

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

I have never forgotten this quote from Gwen Stefani talking about her time spent working with Prince She [Gwen] explained: "Prince, who is one of my idols, gave me some advice when I worked with him, 'Have you ever just tried writing a hit? Like, don't just try writing a song, try and write a hit song'. I remember him saying that and me thinking, 'Yeah, you're right. Why would you write anything else?'"   (I just spent 15 minutes on google trying to find this quote, because I wanted to get it just right LOL).  Whether it be my career or my personal creative adventures, I'm not here just to make clothing, I want to create something that makes people so excited they can't stop talking about it.  They love it so much they recommend it to their friends and it becomes their favorite go to piece.  I design so it evokes emotion, memories, and they can't live without it.

6. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

Jackalope attendees can expect a fun, minimalist booth filled with whimsical infant and toddler girl's clothing made from fresh organic cotton prints and textured fabrics featuring our signature modern smocking. They will be able to see and feel in person the pieces we have in our online shop as well as a few "exclusive to Jackalope" handmade pieces!  Shoppers can easily find the perfect handmade gift of clothing for that special little girl in your life.  Or perhaps if they are due to update their family photos? If so, expect the perfect outfits for photos that will help tell the story of your family for years to come.  And finally, you can expect a warm welcome, a heart filled hello, and a good conversation from me, Rachel, the maker.  I love to talk about handmade, family, community, and I look forward to making new friends.

7. Where can we learn more about you?

My favorite meet up is Instagram, search for @duchessandgoose and you'll find beautiful lifestyle photography, outfit inspiration, and lots of emojis.  To see close ups of our clothing or to learn more about me and my family, visit our online store at www.duchessandgoose.com  I also make special appearances on facebook, pinterst, and etsy also under @duchessandgoose

1. How did you get your start in the handmade community?
I started Flat Bonnie 6 years ago with the hope of helping animals in need.
I made the first 5 "Flat Bonnie" bunny plushies and donated them to a
local rescue named BunnyLuv.
They sold the plushies and used the proceeds to help care for the bunnies.

After that I started getting requests from other rescues to make animals
like guinea pigs, bears, tigers, elephants, and even turkeys.

2. What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?
My plush animal designs are minimal and clean. I try to capture the cutest
thing about the animal without getting too busy or complex.
My plushies are flat, making them easy to travel with. Also, I only use
animal friendly products, no leather or wool. Vegan friendly.
 

3. What or Who Inspires you?
I am inspired by all kinds of animals, wild and domestic, but mostly my
bunnies. I also find inspiration by looking at cute animals on the
internet.

4. What is your creative process like?
Once I decide on what new animal to create, I start making the pattern. I
usually know what I want the finished plush to look like, so I don't
sketch it out first. Looking at sketches can restrict or distract me
sometimes. Some things on a sketch won’t translate to the finished plush
very well.

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?
It's O.K. to say no when someone asks you to make something that you are
not passionate about.
 

6. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?
I will have lots of cute plush animals, including the super rare
Jackalope. Also, I will be bringing animal themed Vinyl wall art, enamel
pins and jewelry.

7. Where can we learn more about you?
You can see many of the things that I make and read Flat Bonnie's mission
statement on my website.
I try to keep the website's blog and Instagram updated with art shows,
collaborations and upcoming events.
FlatBonnie.com
Instagram.com/FlatBonnie
Facebook.com/FlatBonnie