How did you come up with your company name?

The name D’s Cookiesss was simple, when you’re having a party and not sure what to bring, you bring “D’s Cookiesss” but also its my initials :)

How did you get your start?

My baking adventure began during the pandemic. I was unable to work at my job due to school closures so I kept myself busy by baking. Chocolate chip cookies are my all time favorite so I got to work and perfected the BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie; that was just the start. My kids encouraged me to put myself out there and share my cookies with everyone! So here we are today with D's Cookiesss, I hope you enjoy my baking journey with me!

I bet your kids enjoyed being taste testers! Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

My favorite part of this baking journey has been creating in the kitchen. There so many variations of cookies and endless mix ins that you can create almost anything from a simple cookie

What / who is your biggest influence?

My biggest baking influencer is my mom. She has been baking her whole life and always had a special traditional Italian dessert to make for every holiday and season.

Very sweet! What does success mean to you?

I define success as a baker when someone is tasting my cookie for the first time and it leave them speechless!

Always a good sign! Does baking help you in other aspects of life?

Baking definitely helps with my stress levels. Gives me a way to forget what’s going on and focus on creating my next cookie..

Can you give us an idea of what you will be bringing to Jackalope?

I will be bringing all of my favorite cookies with me. Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Brownie, Peanut Butter, Rainbow, D’s with Nuts, Oatmeal Raisin, and I always have a cookie of the month that will be a surprise.

YUM! Anything special you would like to add?

My Cookiesss are not your typical cookie, these will definitely satisfy your cookie craving

We can’t wait to see you in person this November 19th & 20th, 2022 in Old Pasadena!

Where to see more of D’s Cookiesss:

Website | https://dscookiesss.com

Instagram | @dscookiesss

How did you get started making honey?

My grandmother was a beekeeper and never did I imagine to continue her legacy. We had the opportunity to invest in beekeeping and I fell in love with the bees and the whole process of saving them. It became more about the bees then the outcome of the investment. Then as the years past by, we got more serious with the business and we wanted to keep it all natural so we came up with the bee natural honey name. Keeping the essence of the bees and nature and still provide the best honey.

Love the name connection! Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

My favorite part of the business is to contribute to the world by saving the bees because now I know how important they are to keep us alive. Also, the interaction with the community and knowing that we are doing something good for their health by providing the best local raw honey and hand crafted beeswax products.

I love purchasing local honey, it helps with my allergies. What are you looking forward to in returning to Pasadena?

I love the Pasadena community simply because the good vibes and incredible support to small businesses, I’m so happy now that we are back after the pandemic. I love to see people smile when they try our honey and products.

Are you bringing anything special to Jackalope this time around?!

We will be back with our most popular honey, the orange blossom honey, that’s Pasadena's favorite honey.

YUM! Anything special you would like to add?

I like to share that when we have struggles in our business we just go to visit the bees and they gives us energy to keep going. It’s amazing how hard they work and how passionate they look when taking care of the queen bee and that’s what keeps us going. We love saving the bees!

We can’t wait to see you in person this April 23rd & 24th in Old Pasadena!

Where to see more of Bee Natural Honey:

Website | https://beenaturalhoney.com/

Instagram | @bee_natural _honey

Can you tell us how you got your start?

Stress and despair! :) No, really! My wife and I were going through a particularly difficult time acclimating to parenting my 8 year old nephew a bit into the transition of him coming to live with us. We were relatively new in our relationship and this was a huge undertaking that required many therapists, specialists, and lots of change. I was working a full-time, middle-management job at the time and was under an exorbitant amount of stress there and at home. Have you ever had one of those end-of-your-rope, you’ve tried all the talking and prayers and breathing and coping things, and there are simply NO MORE TRICKS up your sleeve moments of despair? This all seems like such a simplification of what was really going on, but it was that kind of debilitating chaos. 

One night back in 2014, I lost it. I was alone in my room after a particularly difficult evening. It was dark and I was just sobbing everything out in a mess of hyperventilation and tears - the really ugly kind of crying. I was at a complete loss and out of nowhere, this wild energy came up and it was like my body was moving without me. I found myself grabbing for random things - a tv tray, a stack of scrapbook paper, paints, scrapers, and brushes. The next moments are all a blur as I literally pushed all the energy into painting these feelings.

Everything came out. It was fast, deeply emotional, and wildly expressive. Truly, it was maniacal and not far off from what you’d watch in a dark film as someone legit goes crazy. Haha I painted square after square - the papers were 12x12” and each became a scraping and smudging of the stress and feelings I carried around every day.

This experience was not only incredibly cathartic, but really surprising because I had never painted before, aside from some furniture in my teens (peace signs and cow print - hello 90’s) and some school projects for compositional study when I attended FIDM in my 20’s for Visual Communications. 

I ended up with 45 paintings. I only just released them on my website shortly before the pandemic hit. I love that there are pieces living on in my collector’s homes and life stories, some all the way in Copenhagen! I’ll have the collection at the show along with newer bodies of work.

That is incredible, so glad you found a way to release those feelings. So what inspires you to create now?
Freedom. Letting go. The state of being. Whatever you are right now, fully accepting that in its most peaceful, purest state. Feeling. Being boundless. Photos of people doing yoga on a cliff. Dancers floating and moving their bodies like water figures so open and uninhibited. Space. Not literal stars, but space to be - that kind of expansion where there are no limits and anything is possible. Musicians lost in melody. Lyrics to a favorite song. People in their elements of passion - enthralled with the process of becoming and stepping outside of themselves. Seeing others tap into that energy. Being totally untethered. That’s the juice. 

Love that. Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

Having no plan when I sit down to create. It’s so pure and freeing. I struggle with anxiety and perfectionism; always looking for the “right” and “should” answers out of fear of being wrong. A lot of self-doubt comes with that.  A lot of second-guessing. That internal spinning is chaotic and can be pretty paralyzing. 

 Abstract painting is a space where I’m free from all that. I meet it with no plans or expectations. It’s an honest place, totally surrendered and open. It just asks me to show up and decide; to be present and willing. To listen. It’s an invitation to be seen and be known as I am, without expectation or judgment in any state of feeling I may be in. It accepts all of me. And in those moments, it teaches me to accept all of me. 

I don’t start from an idea or sketch. There is no end in mind. Just a blank canvas or paper on the table next to my trolly of tools and paints. I sit, decide to be open, and start grabbing, letting my intuition and deep love for composition lead and express. It’s a thrill to not know where I’m going. It’s like hopping in the car and driving to anywhere with nowhere to be. Wild and free. I love that.

Very therapeutic. What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

I get to paint for hours on end, uninterrupted, in total flow - LIES. :) It’s so boring. haha An artist’s life is as dull as any on the daily. There’s coffee, hot or iced - a very big decision. Then, planning. Lots of research. I have a couple of clients I work with on design, social media, and non-art-related projects that need tending to. There are task-avoidance Pinterest sessions, of course. Emails, calendar sorting, and the like. It’s “office-y” with music playing. 

When I do get to actually create, it’s very focused. Often very quiet. I paint quickly and I paint a lot in one sitting. I guess I’m more of a “session” creator. I’m also pretty neat for an abstract painter. I see artist’s on Instagram who paint so slowly and meticulously or who are the opposite and throw paint at the wall. I wouldn’t dare! I’d be so upset the room got messed up. I am a quiet little mouse when I paint, laser focused and clean; just one mark at a time and building as I go, working on the cheese. It’s a lot of brayer-rolling, smudging, rubbing, ripping, scratching, layering, and uncovering. It’s actually pretty aggressive. It probably looks like I’m just destroying something or making nothing. Like a kid. I have stacks and stacks of work. I’m kind of embarrassed by that for some reason. I feel like a hoarder. :)

Do you have a favorite piece you have created?

Ok, this is hard for an indecisive. I’m going to go with a painting that I did - it’s not quite a self-portrait, but I feel myself in it and it’s definitely a depiction of how I felt in a moment. It’s called “Franken Feelings” - a black and white abstract of a most-honest face and probably my most common feeling as a sarcastic introvert who is becoming more hermit-like and socially awkward with each passing day; so annoyed with humanity and everything always. Hahahaha it is silly, honest, and it makes me laugh so hard. It’s basically me. <Ok, it’s me.>

I’m also going to plug my tiny art collection because I love it so much!! When the pandemic kicked off, I decided to paint 100 tiny abstracts (or TABstracts as I like to call them). They are 2”x3” and 3”x3” - so small! I became obsessed with the challenge of creating smart compositions in such a tiny space. They are so cute. I love this project because I got to collaborate with my wife, Gina, for the first time in art. She custom-built all of the tiny frames out of our garage. She’s an actual rockstar and I loved getting to see her create alongside me. These will be at the show in April too, and are on my website now. These tiny pieces are pandemic-born and are such a great little punch of inspiration for tiny places, like a bookshelf, desk, nook - I meant for them to bring creativity to folks who are working from home so much more now. We need that. I saved a few for myself and we have them sprinkled all over the house. I really love them!

So cute! Do you have anything special that you will be bringing to Jackalope?

Original art, prints, stationery, and gifts. I have pieces in all sizes, from 3x3” to 18x24”. There are framed and unframed options, too. I’ll also have geometric prints available in mini 5x7” up to 16x20” - these designs are digitally created and have a mid-century modern vibe to them. Colorful and playful compositions - some of my favorites! For stationery and gifts, I’ll have hand-painted bookmarks, ornaments, cards, magnets, and other fun work to make a home artful, gritty, and cool. I’m so excited to share them all. Self-expression in a home is so important. 

Definitely, handmade brings a heart beat into a space. What did you miss most about in person events now that events are picking back up again? 

Fresh air! And creative buzzing. There is something special about the “shop local” movement these last several years. People are wildly inventive and so brave, right? There are so many amazing artisans and creators. These events are super important to keep that energy alive and thriving. Shoppers are more supportive and encouraging than ever. And they want to connect with makers directly. I love (and have missed) their excitement and cheerleading. Selling online is handy, but it’s just not the same.

Agreed! Well we can’t wait to have in Pasadena. Is there something you love most about the city?

It’s calm and small, but big enough to feel “city”. We love to shop and walk. I’m from Boston originally, so any chance we get to walk the shops with coffee and goodies while cars scurry by is a hit for me, especially when it’s old mixed with new. And Pasadena has great shops, eateries, tree-lined streets. It’s a bit story-book and artisan. It’s cool.

Any final words you would like to include?

Yes! I think it’s important to note that I am a self-taught artist. I have always been a creative, but not a painter. I did go to a form of “art school,” but it was not for fine art and I did not graduate. This is an important message because I think we need to be reminded that living a passionate life isn’t just for other people or for “the schooled.” It’s for us. It’s for you. We are all created differently with varied skills, abilities, desires, and circumstances. This world needs all of it. There is plenty of space from the streets to the classrooms. And life is incredibly short. Too short for our fears and excuses, no matter how present everyday they may be. 

Part two of my “why” story is that 2 years after I discovered painting (and was not consistently committed to it as a daily practice), I learned that I had cancer forming in my uterus. I had a total hysterectomy and needed additional surgery after that for complications. When healed up enough, I returned back to my corporate job for 6 months. Nothing was more clear to me than not wanting to spend the rest of my days puttering around doing something I hated. It wasn’t worth it. I, thankfully, had the support of my family and means to quit. And I did. 

It was and still is terrifying to be on my own, braving days as a full-time artist. But, living for something means too much to me to grind my teeth for nothing. I hope that inspires someone to be brave. To give it a try even when their knees are knocking. It’s hard. But it’s good. And supportive communities like Jackalope bring people together to inspire and be inspired. Want to make butter? Go make your life’s best butter. :) We’re totally here for it.

Also, that nephew I mentioned? He’s now 18 and we officially adopted him, finalized in 2021. This life is one wild ride. 

That makes us smile :) See you in person this April 23rd & 24th in Old Pasadena!

Where to see more of Tobi Beck:

Website | www.tobibeck.com

Instagram | @tobiannbeck

Can you tell us how you got your start?

Working my way up the corporate ladder, I started evaluating my life’s choices and where they were headed. I could work my way up and transfer to an art oriented full time safe and cozy job creating someone else’s ideology, logos, advertisement , or I could quit my job and focus on my own artistic abilities and pave my own way. Having both was out of the question, because when you want to follow your dreams you have to go all in. It was then, in 2020 I decided to pursue my career in the world of fine arts. My husband and I quit our jobs, sold our home in the East Valley of Arizona and moved back to our homeland here in Southern California with our little family to start our new adventure.

We love that! What inspires you to create?
The beauty of Mother Nature. The warm sun on my face, the soft grass beneath my feet, and her beautiful creatures that roam the earth and skies.

That is definitely something to draw inspiration from. Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

My favorite part of my painting process would have to be choosing from a multitude of photographs taken earlier with friends and family dressed up and positioned in classical poses. Being able to choose from my own photographs of what to paint next is a very exhilarating experience!

Love that you use your family and friends in your process! What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

A typical day always starts with a cup of coffee, picking colors for my palette or refilling those that are needed, sometimes cleaning stray brushes, and making sure my easel is in a good position and near a good window. Most days I will listen to my favorite calming music or some soul filled classic rock. From there I just dive in, wether I am in the beginning of a project, in the middle or the end. If it is the beginning, I first sketch out what I am about to paint, either with charcoal, pencil or simply diluted paint. In the middle and end I am just filling in my sketches with colors and shading.

Do you have a favorite piece you have created?

My favorite so far that I have created is a painting of my daughter, Evelyn. I believe it is my best oil painting so far, capturing a great likeness to her, and because it has a part of her character in it through her bashful gaze and her bright future full of wonder and possibilities conveyed through her hand me down space exploration shirt.

So cute, and a memory to have forever. Do you have anything special that you will be bringing to Jackalope?

This Jackalope, in Pasadena, I will be bringing original pieces of fine artwork.  Each work is either painted with oil and acrylic or drawn with charcoal and chalk pastels.  Every piece took many hours of tedious time consuming craftsmanship and very well may be a little window into my soul.

Well we can’t wait to have you back in Pasadena. Is there something you love most about the city?

What I love most about Pasadena is the beauty of the classical architecture and victorian homes surrounded by a community with a great appreciation of the arts.

See you in person this April 23rd & 24th in Old Pasadena!

Where to see more of Lauren Tuma

Website | www.laurentumaart.com

Instagram | @can0tuma

Do you have a story behind your company name?

I have been very blessed throughout my life with regards to family, friends, health, work, sports, etc. Pretty much all areas of my life. I attribute all my successes as blessings and gifts from God. So, when it came to naming my company, I wanted to recognize and honor my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I chose FG&M, which stands for Frankincense, Gold & Myrrh. 

Frankincense, Gold, and Myrrh were the gifts the three wise men brought to the Christ Child, Jesus, in Bethlehem. These gifts were to honor him as King. In those days, frankincense, gold, and myrrh were highly valued and proper gifts for a king. Even today, these three elements are very valuable and quite expensive. Frankincense and myrrh have excellent therapeutic properties for skin and hair care products. And gold, well, gold speaks for itself. 

In designing my logo, I wanted a classic crest with a crown. Interestingly, the flower of the frankincense tree, Boswellia Sacra, looks like a crown, so, I asked my package designer to draw the crown of the crest to resemble the flower. The leaves on the sides of the crest are also in the shape of the leaves of the Boswellia Sacra tree. 

Very cool. Tell us more about how you got started?

After 24+ years as a Certified Public Accountant, I wanted a change in my life to do something different, something with my essential oils, something that would be healthy and good for people. I had been using essential oils for about eight years and had taken a couple of herbalist courses. I made various skincare serums and salves for myself and family, as well as herbal remedies for minor injuries and illnesses throughout these years. So, I retired from Public Accounting May 31, 2018, and set out to do something different.

I happened to buy my husband a natural shaving soap one day shortly after retiring from Public Accounting and noticed the ingredients – all natural and scented with essential oils. I thought, hmmm, I can make this. So, I started my soap making journey. After two and half years of researching, reading, formulating, and practicing, I launched FG&M Soapery’s website in October 2020. 

I learned early on in my research that the handcrafted soap industry was very much tailored to women. So, I decided to focus on men’s grooming products, as I had a great background to work with. I have a husband, a son, and two brothers, and I was always encouraging them to take care of their skin, and to use natural and organic products. So, focusing on men’s grooming came naturally with all the guys in my family. My husband and I are also avid golfers, so I had the benefit of having some of the men from the club evaluate products and give me feedback. 

We love that it is geared towards men, they need self care too! What inspires you to create?

I believe that the God given wisdom found in nature’s botanicals, salts, and clays hold the true properties and constituents our body needs to be clean, nourished, protected, and revitalized. Just as real food from the earth nourishes and sustains us on the inside, it is just as important what we put on the outside for nourished, healthy, vibrant skin and hair. This is what inspires me to create – all the wonderful bounty of plants, flowers, clays, and salts we were given to enjoy and use to keep our bodies looking good. 

That is inspiring. It is so important to consider what is in your skincare products. Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

My favorite part of making my products is cutting the soaps. After making the soap, it stays in the mold for two days, and then another day or so after coming out of the mold before I cut it. I am always anxious to see it right away, but I know I need to be patient and let the soap saponify for a few days before seeing the end results.

Patience is not my strong suit, that would be challenging! What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

In making bath and body products, it is very important to follow Good Manufacturing Processes to ensure the products are as safe as possible.

In a nutshell, my day goes like this:

• Print out the product batch sheet

• Sanitize work area, equipment, and utensils

• Get out the ingredients and log the ingredient info on the batch sheet

• Weigh and mix ingredients for what is being made that day

• Record any notes on the batch sheet

• Clean up, wash equipment/utensils, and sanitize work area

Other tasks of the day include packaging and labeling finished products, fulfilling any online orders, or working on formulating new products.

Do you have a favorite item you have created?

My favorite creations are my salt soaps. I use real stones from nature as my inspiration and try to design the soaps to look like the stones. Theses soaps are difficult to make for two reasons; 1) salt soap sets up very quickly, so I must work fast, and 2) it was challenging to get the colors right. I only use plants or clays as color, so getting the colors close to the natural stones’ color was a challenge. I often display the actual stones next to the salt soaps in my booth.

That is so unique! Do you have anything special that you will be bringing to Jackalope?

In addition to my current product range of shaving soaps, beard oil, mustache wax, bath soaps, and lip balm, I will be bringing a special limited addition Jackalope Soap. 

Love it!! What do you love most about Pasadena?

That is a hard question because there are so many things that make Pasadena a great city. If I had to pick one thing, I would say it is the arts - the museums, botanical gardens, and of course the most wonderful natural art display ever – the Rose Parade.

We can’t wait to see you in person this April 23rd & 24th in Old Pasadena!

Where to see more of FG&M Soapery:

Website | https://fgmsoapery.com/

Instagram | @fgmsoapery

Betsey Carter

Do you have a story behind your company name?

When I began selling my work I decided to keep things simple, using my name and what I do, i.e., Betsey Carter Ceramics.  I also decided to sign my work with my name handwritten either into the clay or in black slip. So all my pots have “Betsey” written on the bottom

A nice personal touch! Tell us more about how you got started?

I majored in art in college, focusing on ceramics and sculpture, but after graduation I soon decided that the struggling artist life wasn’t for me.  I then went to graduate school for a master’s degree in something completely different. I always knew I’d come back to pottery someday, and about 25 years ago I did.

That is so cool, full circle! What inspires you to create?

Providing functional, useful, and beautiful objects we need and use every day in our homes .

And who are your biggest influences?

I have been influenced by teachers, by my environment, by history, by practice and research, and many other inputs.  But the thread running through it all is the philosophy of William Morris, a leader of the British Arts and Crafts movement who said that we should have nothing in our homes that we do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.  Creating objects that are both useful and beautiful is the heart of what I try to do.

How as your style changed over time? 

I believe artists’ work is strongly influenced by their surroundings. My early years as a studio potter were in my hometown of Charleston, SC, and my work was influenced by the historical and formal setting of that city that was settled in the 17th century. I worked mainly in high fired porcelain with slip decorations, mishima, and lusters, resulting in work that reflected the formality of my surroundings. Since moving to Southern California my work has gradually taken on a more informal design, mirroring the surrounding colors, shapes, and forms.  I have also changed to rich, toasty stoneware clays.

Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

Definitely throwing pots on the wheel!

I tried doing it once at a class, and it was so challenging! What is the hardest part of the creation process?

As a one-person business, time management has to be the most challenging part of the process. Coordinating the designing and making processes, publicity, marketing, and shipping, plus online, wholesale and in person selling is an ongoing process.

What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

It depends on the day of the week. I typically start each week with 2-3 days of throwing pots on the wheel, followed by another 2-3 days of trimming and finishing (handles, carving, etc.).  When the pots are dry they are then ready to bisque fire and finally glaze fire.

Do you have a favorite item you have created?

I especially love throwing large serving bowls.

Does your art help you in other aspects of your life?

It makes me a better person to be around.  When I can work at some aspect of making on most days, I am calmer, happier, and feel more accomplished.

How do you define your success as an artist?
I would define success as finding a way to incorporate your art into your life in a way that suits your life.  For some that will be working at it full time and making and a living with your art.  For others, it means squeezing in a bit of your art around all the other parts of your life.  For most it’s probably somewhere between those two poles. Figuring how to do your art in whatever way suits your life at that moment is success.

Do you have anything special that you will be bringing to Jackalope?

I’ll be bringing a variety of work: lots of mugs, bowls of various sizes, vases, teapots, planters, candlesticks, touchstones, bells, wall hangings, all the things I love to make.

What did you miss most about in-person events now that events are picking back up again? 

I missed seeing all the people. I love meeting new customers and catching up with long-time friends. I get such inspiration from the people visiting my booth and buying my work. They tell me how they’re using a piece, what they’d like for me to make, or, if it was a gift, how it was received. The interaction is a joy. 

What do you love most about Pasadena?

It reminds me of my home, Charleston, SC, in that it’s big enough to have good restaurants, shopping, and other niceties of life, but it’s still compact enough that you can get around and take advantage of those things.

Catch Betsey Carter Ceramics at Jackalope Pasadena on November 9th & 10th, 2024

Website: www.betseycarter.com

Instagram: @betseycarterceramics

Do you have a story behind your company name?

I wanted my company name to accurately reflect my work – to show that I was making art out of beaded jewelry.

Makes sense! How did you get started?

I taught myself to bead during the pandemic by watching videos, taking online classes with professional bead artists, reading books, and lots of trial and error! I had started beading as a way to nurture my creative side and help me through when we were in lockdown. My beading then became a passion. My husband encouraged me to start my shop based on all the pieces that I was making that he thought I should share – and The Beaded Art Boutique was born!

That is so cool! What inspires you to create?

There are so many things that inspire me to create! Mostly, I love to create to make something beautiful that will make whoever wears it feel happy and treasured. Also, I work my “day job” in the sciences, so it is so good to be able to use my creative side to make beaded jewelry.

Where are you from and how does it affect your work?

I am originally from New York though I have lived in Pasadena for the last 24+ years. I think the combination of living on both coasts has affected my work as I bring in facets of my life in NY, such as my love for bright lights and fast-paced action, and combine them with pieces of my life here in Los Angeles, including my love of the ocean and the mountains. I also am so lucky to have lived in two places that have so many cultural and artistic opportunities which inspire me and influence my work.

A good balance. Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

My favorite part of my maker process is actually when I have that moment when a design all comes together. Many times, I have had to pull out beads (called “frogging” in beading lingo) and start a design over until I am satisfied with the way it looks – and it is the best feeling to get that perfect piece after struggling to create it.

What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

When I am beading, I am in a peaceful place. I don’t spend all day in the studio due to family and my day job, but when I do bead, it is my “me time.” I sit at my beading table, decide what I want to focus on, chose the beads that catch my fancy, and then sit down, listen to my audiobook, and just bead. It is my favorite part of my day.

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

I am a person who loves to continually learn and stretch myself. I am a self-taught beading artist and I continue to learn new skills by reading books, taking beading classes, learning new techniques, and following other beaders who I admire. I like challenging myself as it keeps life interesting and helps me to further my artistic skills.

With that, what is the hardest part of the process for you?

The hardest part of my creation process is when I make a piece that doesn't quite "work" and I need to start all over again. However, though this is the hardest part as it can lead to frustration, it is also the most rewarding part when I finally feel that I have gotten the piece "right."

Do you have a favorite item you have created?

My favorite item that I have created is a custom necklace for my best friend. She lost her mother several years ago, so for her birthday, I made her a one-of-a-kind necklace featuring a picture of her and her mother. To see her face when I gave this to her and the pleasure this necklace gives her each day, is the very best feeling.

How do you define success as an artist?

My definition of success as an artist is creating a piece of jewelry that brings happiness to the person wearing it and makes her feel beautiful both inside and out. I also think that having someone buy a piece of my jewelry to share with a loved one is the highest compliment someone can give me and that, in itself, is the definition of success.

We can’t wait to see you in person this December 10th & 11th in Downtown Burbank!

Where to see more of The Beaded Art Boutique:

Website | https://www.thebeadedartboutique.com

Instagram | @thebeadedartboutique

Do you have a story behind your company name?

My father has always been proud of his last name, so naturally I became just as proud and that’s how OLIVO was founded.

We love that! How did you get started?

I was slowing down with being a fashion photographer when my daughter was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and I needed a creative outlet. I knew how much I loved handbags and spent thousands per year purchasing them so I decided I wanted to learn how to make my own!

That is so cool! What inspires you to create?

I get inspired by all sorts of things. Many times it’s simply practicality. We all need practical items in our lives to make our lives easier.

Very true. Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

Every project has a different favorite part. Personal projects, favorite part = getting it done! Work, client projects = favorite part is coming up with a new idea that actually works the first time around. Picking out the right leather for projects and having great hardware that I know will last the test of time excites me!

What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

A typical day in the studio is getting organized to get work done. I don’t work well with anything being disorganized.

Elysian Bag

Do you have a favorite item you have created?

My newest favorite item is The Elysian Bag. I love it so much because of it’s minimal look but classic design that I created from start to finish really quickly and got it right the first time!

Do you have anything special that you will be bringing to Jackalope?

This will be the first time I will be bringing saddle stitched leather goods to Jackalope which is exciting. I will also be bringing some new block printed goods like stationary and small accessories that make great stocking stuffers.

What did you miss most about in-person events now that events are picking back up again? 

I miss meeting my clients in real life and being able to talk to them about my process and getting excited with them about my products. I look forward to being able to be back in a collective space with fellow artisans and others that appreciate our work.

What do you love most about California, any special memories about Burbank?

I remember my first trip to Los Angeles very clearly in 2001. I fell in LOVE immediately with the mountains and the weather. In 2002 I made it my home. Since moving to LA I have always been a “valley girl” and I wouldn’t change that. Burbank is a sweet suburb where we always join our friends for Halloween because it’s always so festive and fun.

We can’t wait to see you in person this December 11th & 12th in Downtown Burbank.

Where to see more of Olivo:

Website | byraquelolivo.com

Instagram | @byraquelolivo

Do you have a story behind your company name?

Yes! Co-founder Bill Clark and I are SoCal natives, both loving everything about what being a ‘Californian’ means. Consequently, our Californians brand is inspired by the laid-back culture of our Golden State. Our casual, boho-chic styles are vintage-inspired and reflect the era of California’s Golden Age. Our footwear spans from beach-vibe flip-flops, to cozy shearling clogs, to metallic Hollywood-glam heels. Outside of styling, our footwear is all handcrafted right in the heart of California, in our boutique, a eco-friendly footwear factory in Los Angeles! What could be more Californian?

How did you get started?

I got started in the footwear industry with the intent to make a difference. I was really frustrated with how uncomfortable women’s shoes were and decided to take matters in my own hands. I wanted to create footwear brands that were rooted in comfort but didn’t lose the sense of style ladies desire from designer brands. Since 2016, I have launched 3 brands and opened my own footwear factory that focuses on sustainability and eco-manufacturing. Our Californians brand arose when I met industry veteran Bill Clark, who introduced a new manufacturing method into my factory and together in 2019 we decided to launch Californians using this new technique. 

That is so cool! What inspires you to create?

Designing Californians is a combination of Bill and my diverse backgrounds, experiences and styles. Between Bill’s immersion of 60’s surf culture and passion for all things vintage with my more modern style and eco-conscious approach, we have been pleased that the result is a brand people from all generations can get behind. The brand’s look features a fresh take on vintage styles, while its heart and soul reflect ‘made in U.S.A.’ and green manufacturing. We want our shoes to spur conversation, evoke nostalgia, and preserve the era of California’s Golden Age. 

Love that! Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

Our manufacturing process at our boutique factory here in Los Angeles is almost completely vertical. We bring in raw materials and make most of the components in-house. My favorite part of the process is our insoles. Since we have the ability to make our insoles in-house, we get to choose exactly how much foam is in each shoe. As a woman, I know the impact your shoes can have on your day. Uncomfortable shoes can affect everything from walking to getting things accomplished, to making or breaking your self-confidence. At Californians, we’ve chosen to use a revolutionary 6mm memory foam insole in our footwear. This makes our shoes, arguably, the comfiest on the market - whether it’s our proprietary flip-flop sole or our 4-inch heels, there is comfort built into every-single style!

What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

My typical day varies greatly day-to-day and is never boring! As the owner of our eco-friendly factory (called Clover & Cobbler) and our 3 in-house footwear brands, each day is an exciting adventure of new possibilities and challenges. As a creative at heart, my favorite days are when we’re planning new collection launches, full of designing, sample meetings, fit-testing and photoshoots. These days are chaotic and busy as can be, but to me, this is endless fun. 

Do you have a favorite item you have created?

I absolutely love our slipper collection! We started with a few sandal-inspired slipper styles including a slide and a shearling flip-flop (appropriate for Southern California year-round) and we had a huge response! Since they were such a hit, we expanded upon the collection, which now even includes men’s slippers. Today, our collection has 3 different color shearling options and by popular request, we launched closed-toe women’s slipper styles this fall. I think we’ve seen such success with our slippers because they are designed with a traction rubber outsole which keeps them flexible, but also wearable outside! Throughout the pandemic, comfy-chic has become the “it” trend, and our indoor-outdoor slippers nailed it.

Felicity Slipper

 Our ‘Felicity’ slippers are my personal favorite! I usually prefer wearing thong-style sandals over slides, and the shearling straps are just SO soft and comfortable. The leather footbed and proprietary cushioned midsole make them super breathable and just the right warmth for Southern California evenings. They are my morning and evenings go-to! 

Do you have anything special that you will be bringing to Jackalope?

We will be bringing an assortment of our handcrafted slippers, sandals, clogs, heels and boots! All our footwear is perfect for holiday gifting, but of course, we find that our slipper collection is most popular around this time of year. Our slippers master both comfort and practicality, featuring breathable genuine shearling, a super soft foam midsole and our traction rubber outsole. 

What did you miss most about in-person events now that events are picking back up again? 

We’re so happy to be back at in-person events! There’s nothing quite like touching and feeling a product and getting to see the quality in-person. Especially for our footwear, the comfort built-in to our insoles is truly epic and rather hard to get across digitally. Being able to witness the moment when someone tries on our shoes and FEELS the difference is so rewarding and exciting. In that moment, we know we’ve just made a lifelong customer. Making those connections is what I’ve missed most!

What do you love most about California, seeing that it inspired you to create?

I was born & raised in Los Angeles (Calabasas, to be specific) and don’t think I will ever leave California! I love so much about LA, but one thing I value is the tight-knit community that has formed within the fashion industry here. Since our boutique shoe factory is here, we are so grateful to be surrounded by like-minded designers, pattern makers, textile suppliers, and more right at our fingertips – allowing us to find what we need right here, supporting our local communities. Being a Los Angeles factory also means we can ensure that all those who work on our products receive fair wages and a safe place to work, and we hope to help promote the fashion industry’s movement toward transparency and mindfulness. 

Anything special you would like to add?

Yes! At Californians, we hold sustainability at our core, upholding the utmost standards of respect for both the earth and its people. As environmentally and ethically conscious members of the fashion community, we’ve made it our priority to leave a positive footprint on the industry. By manufacturing in our own boutique factory in Los Angeles, we ensure that the manufacturing process itself and the environment we’ve created for our artisans upholds the core values of our brand. We feel it is our responsibility to make eco-conscious decisions every ‘step’ of the way. For example, we designed packaging that helps reduce waste and is completely recyclable. Our shoe boxes (also made in Los Angeles!) are made from recycled cardboard and are printed with only water-based inks which are less harsh on the environment, allowing them to be recycled again. Additionally, our shoes are made in small batches or made-to-order. By eliminating overproduction, we minimize our contribution to the fashion industry’s waste. Similarly, we do whatever we can to minimize our material waste. Rather than throwing away our leather and materials scraps, we repurpose what we can internally (look out for some keychains coming soon) and then pass along anything else to other businesses or local artisans who reuse the pieces for items such as bracelets and dog collars. 

We can’t wait to see you in person this November 20th & 21st when Jackalope returns to Central Park, Pasadena.

Where to see more of Californian’s Footwear:

Website |https://californiansfootwear.com/

Instagram |@californiansfootwear

How did you get started?

I was working as a tutor and I also happened to be making a beaded bracelet for a friend, when I thought it would be a good idea to make my student a math bracelet representing fractions.

So fun! What inspires you to create?

I love coming up with cool ways to remember things. I also enjoy being inspired by colors and different types of beads and patterns.

Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

Getting the feedback from parents and kids about how much they love their math bracelets!

What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

My studio looks like: Beads and books everywhere! My studio is also my bedroom

Do you have a favorite item you have created?

I've designed a bracelet to teach the distributive property of multiplication.

Do you have anything special that you will be bringing to Jackalope?

I will be bringing math bracelets, bracelet-making kits, shirts, and activity books. There will also be a chance to win a free math-bracelet zoom party for 10 people.

We can’t wait to see you in person this November 20th & 21st when Jackalope returns to Central Park, Pasadena.

Where to see more of Brainy Bracelets:

Website |brainybracelets.store

Instagram | @brainy.bracelets