Ana Apple Designs

What is the craziest gift you have ever received?

My cat Salsa brought me an undead gecko once. Although I have been given the gift of double-jointedness, a party trick that never fails to impress.

How did you get started on Etsy/Making things?

It was as simple as asking my boyfriend for a sewing machine for Christmas last year. My curiosity quickly turned into obsession, which mutated into my headfirst leap into 'Hey, this is kind of neat-o. I would pay money for this.' The rest is a crazy months-long blur of research, trial and error, and much-needed encouragement from family and friends.


How did you learn your craft?

Took a night class from the feistiest woman to ever rock a blue plaid blazer, Miss Beverly, who taught me the once-confusing basics, nurtured my supposedly unconventional desire to sew white fabric with hot pink thread, and gladly offered constructive criticism (albeit with an occasional raised brow) on my original designs.

From there, it's just been an experimentation with different fabrics and techniques that catch my eye, logging miles on my trusty Kenmore machine. I've developed a love-hate relationship with my seam ripper.

Pomegranate Ink

"I'm addicted to making things, always have been. I paint, sew, make music, draw, scrapbook, and do a lot of digital art. By day I am a manager of creative services for a software company, by night and weekends I am driven to create..." -- Samantha Brown, of Pomegranate Ink

If you had to live out the rest of your life as a famous fictional character, who would you be and why?

Elizabeth Bennett, Pride and Prejudice, the clothing would be beautiful but hard to keep your hems clean when frolicking through a muddy green pasture. She's is smart and capable, passionate, beautiful. What I aspire to be on most days that is.

If money were no object for just one day, what would you do?

Give lots and lots of it away. Find everyday people and hungry people and just give it all away. When you buy something you feel good for a while, but when you give something, especially when the receiver really needs it--but is not expecting it, the feeling lasts a long time. Pure goodness.

How did you get started on Etsy/Making things?

Funny story, I used to work as a Sr. Manager of Creative Services for a software company and our VP of Marketing came back from a trip to talk with an analyst who could not stop talking about how Etsy was on the forefront of search technology, with color searching, geolocation, etc. My boss said "I have to show Sam, she would love it" and I signed up right away and listed a few abstract paintings. I was in love, and told people, and told people.

Transient Treasures

Among an incredible variety of treasures keys, spoons and vintage jewelry, the amazing wind chimes from coffee and tea pots have to be among the most creative items to be found. One look at those and we understand why owner of Transient Treasures, Nora Matthes-Kniveton is so fascinated with Tea Parties and Alice in Wonderland!



Her treasures are inspired by the desire to see "worthless" items turned into something that makes others see as aethetically pleasing and marketable. She learned her craft mostly by trial and error. Having an Etsy shop for vintage objects, launching the artistic vintage-based creations seemed like a logical next step.

Nora loves really strong, fresh coffee and oaky Chardonnay. Her "If money were no object" dream is going to Greece, eating seafood, drinking local wine, and soaking up the seascape. Another person joining the list of wanting to come be a cat for a week, Nora's secret TV crush was Robin ("Batman and Robin") - and then Magnum PI.

She loves doing craft shows and seeing how people react to her products.For Nora, the spirit of giving means doing what you can, each day.

Crow's Nest Shop, handcrafted jewelry

There are many highly creative jewelry makers on Etsy. Probably the only one who offers jewelry and also a "Catch a Criminal Kit" is the Crows Nest Shop. This Mental Map Maker includes graph paper, colorful thread, and instructions to help those who always get lost or budding crime fighters. Brandi Chalker found out about Etsy during a "Stitch and Bitch" night with friends while living in West Virginia.

She is inspired by beaches and oceans around the world, and uses shells she finds in her necklaces and earrings. Her crafting career began while working in a craft store as a teen, and she was an established jewelry maker by age 18.

The famous fictional character she'd like to be is Elizabeth Swann of Pirates of the Caribbean, saying "I'd give anything to be around Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom for the rest of my life." Brandi would love to be her dog for a week, enjoying treats, walks, attention and just being cute. Her favorite cities are San Francisco, San Cristobal de las Casas (Chiapas, Mexico) and Edinburgh. Her favorite drink is the hibiscus mojito she makes with mint from her garden.

Brandi tries to promote and educate people about the Fair Trade movement through her business. She feels consumer responsibility and knowledge about supporting positive economic relationships with artisans in developing countries is important and valuable. Buying locally helps our communities economically.

The Enchanted Square

Ruth Tillman of The Enchanted Square credits Martha Stewart for getting her started on Etsy. She had struggled for awhile to start a website and sell her quilts, dolls and bags. After seeing a Martha Stewart show that featured an Etsy seller, Ruth checked out the website, loved the look, and jumped right in. Now she's recruited her housmate Mary and her Aunt to Etsy.

Inspired by color, pattern, construction, books and websites, she constantly carries her camera to help the mental notes she makes. She finds that the creative chances taken by others encourages her own boldness. Ruth's sewing teachers were her grandmother, mother and great aunt. She began making quilts at age 10.

Born and raised in Alameda, she loves the cool nights and fresh air of the holidays, crazy discussions with her children, cuddling, and the light of the short days. Her "Day as President Obama" would be spent encouraging all to take part in our future.

The mother of three is thrilled that the HHD supports an art program for kids. She helps teach art in her childrens' schools, in response to budget and program cuts there. She believes that learning about art teaches appreciation, techniques, and expressiveness.

Laser Kitten

Laserkitten crafts custom jewelry pieces with DJs, artists, web personalities and others. Artisan Marisa Ravel is inspired by the 80's, idol Lisa Frank, bright colors, city lights, bling, and anything sparkly, flashy or metallic. She began making and designing jewelry in childhood, and in her designs she has tried metal, glass beads, vintage, polymer clay and resin, knitting and crochet before settling on her laser-cut acrylic mirror style.

Marisa believes that "You can feel the love/time/effort/passion when you wear something handmade. It's like owning a little bit of somebody's soul." The spirit of giving is "the best feeling in the world."

Her favorite neighborhood is San Francisco's Mission, favorite cities are San Francisco and New York. The song she loves to sing is "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler.

kartwheel

Cats and birds are favorite animals for Lorena Pinon of Kartwheel. The famous character she would love to be is Cat Woman. She would love to be a bird for a week - especially a pigeon - to travel far and spy on folks! After all that traveling and spying, her dream day would be spent at an all day spa, getting a number of treatments to "make the noise in my head go away." Then, rested and refreshed, Lorena would be President Obama for a day and make the banks pay back the bailout money!The lifelong Bay Area native finds writing copy for her website to be brain-challenging, as she believes she is much better at talking about her designs and selling herself in person. Her art show experience to date is Indie Mart. HHD is the first "true craft show" she is doing because "it sounds like a cool thing to be part of," she says. A graphic designer by trade, she gives back by donating time designing bilingual books for Children's Book Press in San Francisco.

Creating her own art has affected her buying habits - she now thinks twice about who will beneift the most from her purchase, and keeps her buying local or at least in the US. She is happy to support local artists and cutting out the middle man.

satin corset

Inspired by old-world items, dreams, nature, and the bright colors floating across her eyelids are some of the sources that inspire Tyler Pimental of SatinCorset. The delicate and colorful jewelry found in her shop certainly show the fruits of her inspirations.

"Loose Control" (by backtednted) is the song of her life - because "We all need to lose control sometimes". She would love to be a fish going "whoop" while driving a car - mabye in a panic ... and out of control. Vodka Rockstar Juiced - orange, carbonated, sweet and tart - is her favorite drink. Working out a Japanese quiz challenges her, and she says Tokyo is her favorite city.

The Handmade Ho Down is her first craft show, though she's all about the indie, local, handmade creatife force. Unlocking the creative force of one's own two hands helps her appreciate what other local artisans create. "The kinds of things you can buy from handmade artisans are just too cool, so much better than what's available at the mall!"

GabriellaDesign

California native Maryann Peper-Reynolds has a delightful range of crafted items in her shop, GabriellaDesign - paper flowers, moody abstract paintings, holiday cards, skull and gemstone jewelry offer something of interest for all seekers. She claims to be addicted to paper, and her creations involve paper in many forms. The bright red paper ranunculus she makes are quite eye-catching, and her desk calendars are quite popular!

Needing a pair of earrings to go with a shirt she planned to wear, young Maryann made some earrings - and quickly began making more to go with her outfits and give to friends. She hasn't stopped since, working in different mediums over the years.

While her heart might be in Florence, Maryann loves the time spent with family and friends during the holidays. "Giving a piece of yourself embodies the holidays," she says. This might mean some time, cookies, and/or a good dinner. A good bottle of wine brightens the occasion, and she claims chardonnay as her favorite.

Ticky Tacky

Add Jane Naimark of Tickytacky to our list of people who want to be a cat living with awesome people for a week! She wants to poke into corners and chase bugs. Except for the bug chasing part, that's alot of what she really likes to do - going to antique and junk shops looking for treasures - finding those awsome doo-dads that call out to be made into treasures. Her craft grew out of interest in making "things."

This long-time San Francisco resident loves kombuchas!

Meghan Patrice Riley, handmade fine jewelry

"Making jewelry is the best job in the world" says Meghan Patrice Riley. She learned her craft by taking classes everywhere and apprenticing with a fine jewelry maker. Her "other job" is working with nonprofits and government agencies to provide housing to low-income families - exactly in line with making handmade things and supporting locally made goods.

The Mission is her favorite neighborhood for tossing one back. And the drink of choice is a Kombucha - tasty and fizzy! Singing Radiohead's "Creep" is her Karaoke song. She dreamed of fighting ghosts with Slimer.

What is the craziest gift you have ever received?

I was surprised with a wax pen by my amazing fiance. It's great! I can sculpt in wax more easily with this tool.

Which one song describes your life the best? Why?

Mad World by Tears for Fears. It's has a depressing sentiment which I would say is not an echo of my life, but I absolutely love this song. I work a lot, am involved with a lot of projects and I run around a bit "mad."

We are beyond excited to have Meghan vend at our show, can't wait to see you in her booth!

Jenny Kim, custom jewelry.

Jenny Kim, of San Mateo California, has been making jewelry since 2004. Her pieces are original, delicate, feminine and hold a the eye with their organic shapes and beautiful finish.

How did you get started on Etsy/Making things?

I've been making art in various forms since before nursery school. My first "mural" was a crayon portrait of my family in my childhood bedroom. In the third grade, I began selling mini-picture and puzzle books to classmates for the going-rate at the time of 50 cents apiece. I was a student in the Advanced Placement Studio Art Program at a Los Angeles-city high school, taking nine semester-courses of art before graduating.



Years after finishing an undergraduate degree unrelated to the arts, my instinctive urge to make pretty things with my hands cried out again, and I began taking metalsmithing courses at the City College of San Francisco, in the evenings after my long workdays. Metal immediately became my favorite medium. I have a hard, edgy side to my personality, juxtaposed against an equally-present soft, sensitive, and sensual side. Working in metal, and particularly creating organically-inspired forms with the lost-wax casting method, spoke to me like no other medium had in the past. I have now been creating jewelry and metalwork on a full-time basis since 2007.

What does buying and selling local handmade mean to you, and how has it affected your life?

Buying and selling locally handmade products means that I am supporting my neighbors, my community, and my local economy. I have also purchased items that were locally made in places where friends and family live to give as gifts. For example, I've made an effort to buy handmade products from artisans in, say, Seattle, to give as a gift to my sister who lives in that city, with a note: "This was handmade in Seattle. Just supporting your local artisans."

Vintage Oddities

Longtime Oakland resident Janyce Engan, of Vintage Oddities has created needlework and various forms of fiber art since childhood. She learned to sew and knit from her grandmother, who shared many tricks and secrets from her own learning during the Great Depression about how to do amazing things like making making a bit of cloth stretch and look lovely at the same time.

A year ago, Janyce branched out into exploring different styles, focusing mainly on vintage and historic fashion. Her Etsy shop opened in April 2008. A delightful selection of colorful vintage beads, buttons and findings are offered in her shop - check out the YUMMY green grape headpins. Janyce's creations are inspired by beautiful fashion plates, Art Deco items, and even World War II images.

She would really love to be a pampered house cat for a week... or really lifetime (wouldn't we all?). She would just eat, play, and be petted all week long. Adores Cosmopolitans. A big part of her "give back to the community" time is donating time and materials that are helping Berkeley High music fundraiser.

Mangosteen Jewelry

"The East Bay Express described me as "public interest lawyer and mega-traveler."
I like that. In my day job I work for a non-profit that helps people and communities become & remain economically secure." -- Gabrielle Lessard, of Mangosteen Jewelry.

How did you learn your craft?

I'm learning all the time. I started beading and have gradually moved to more work with metal & wire. I am just getting into metal clay & enamels. I have taken several classes at the Crucible in Oakland & recommend it highly: www.thecrucible.org

As this is a charity event for DrawBridge, give us some insight on how you personally, or your shop, gives back to your community.

My 'day job' is as a public interest lawyer for a non-profit, the Insight Center for Community Economic Development. I get to work with lots of other non-profits that are doing amazing work in thier communities.

Also, I have another business where I purchase hand-crafted items from organizations that help artisans in the developing world develop thier businesses and market their products. Most are fair-trade certified; one works with survivors of human trafficking. www.mangosteenoakland.com

Gooseberry Press

After working for years in scientific research at various universities Nina started Gooseberry Press to pursue her love of art and design. She loves vintage fabric & ribbon, funky color combinations and is crazy about pattern. Most days you can find her in the studio trying to get some work done, staring at fabric swatches and "coloring" in Adobe Photoshop as she pleads with her cat Jules to "stop helping" and get off of the keyboard. She dreams of traveling around the world to "research" more cities... for work of course.


If you had to be an animal for one week, which animal would you choose to be? And what would you do?

I would choose to be an Emperor Tamarin. Ever since my daughter and I first saw them at the San Francisco Zoo we make it a point to visit them whenever we are over there. They are such cheeky little things. They look like little Dr. Seuss characters - you know which one? The Lorax! They look like they are always having such a good time jumping from branch to branch...I wish I could do that all day.

If your life was a book, what would be the title and how would your story end?

A Perfect Circle. I think that if my story would end with me surrounded by my family and I could think back on all of the things that I wanted to do and truthfully say I tried my best to accomplish them - I would be happy.

Field Day Wearables

Field day offers wearables made with organic cotton, bamboo and recycled materials.
All our wearable seeds are sewn in the field and are cut, sewn, dyed and printed one at a time in Oakland California.


What inspires your creations?

Used materials thrown by the way side, recreating them in to something wonderfully beautiful and unique. Mother nature and wanting her to suffer not for what I make.

What do the holidays mean to you?

Lots of great feasting, the smell of nutmeg, fireplaces, cuddle puddles with friends.

What does buying and selling local handmade mean to you, and how has it affected your life?

I only buy clothing from indie designers and thrift stores. Its so important to not support slavery and to support creative expression.

CCStar, unique, vintage accessories

"I fell in love with vintage textiles the first time I went through the garage and found my mother's old clothes from the 1970's. This started my love affair with thrift store shopping. I've always been attracted to the patterns and color choices of the 1960's and 1970's. There's always a sense of hope in these patterns, like a bright new future waiting to be enjoyed. I want to express that sense of fun, of youthfulness, in my line. My work is an expression of my personal aesthetic of bold colors and fun patterns." -- Celeste, owner of CCStar

If you had to be an animal for one week, which animal would you choose to be? And what would you do?

Godzilla! Does that count? Though I would try and be nice Godzilla, which means I would spend most of my time trying not to step on things.

If money were no object for just one day, what would you do?

I would buy tickets to travel all around Europe and go to art fairs for my boyfriend and I and pay off a month's rent so I could enjoy it all. Maybe that's cheating. If I had to enjoy the fruits of my spending all in that one day I would go on a major clothes and shoes shopping spree, and then buy the most expensive amazing dinner for all of my close friends and then see a a really great concert of a band I like.

How did you learn your craft?

I picked up sewing in the Costume Department at UCLA while I was in the Theater program there. My mom had only taught me one stitch, but I taught myself how to embroider, needlepoint, and sew some rudimentary things. The rest I taught myself.