Here’s a bit more about the laser wizardry comin’ outta San Leandro!

Your business story:

A lifelong artist who always had a goal of making affordable art, which crossed over into the world of jewelry. Within making affordable art, we are always working with local artists and designers to help promote emerging talents.

Your past work experience or your current day job (“in my other life…”)

In our other lives we are hard working video game addicts in a perpetual state of being stuck on level 2.

Fun facts about you, your craft or your business (“did you know…”)?

As fans of the James Bond movies, we have always wanted to own our own laser. Mission accomplished. Now, step 2: hold the moon for ransom.

Woo-hoo! Come on by the shop to see octopi, a heaping helping of California/East Bay love, and much more from Unpossible Cuts.

Your business story

Shendoe Ceramics is handmade porcelain jewelry made by Northern California ceramic artist Shenny Cruces. While getting her MFA at San Francisco State, Shenny began making porcelain jewelry. Shenny’s aesthetics express an overt femininity with layers of ceramic decals, which ordinarily adorn dainty teacups, roses, and bright glazes. Her hand is in every aspect of her artmaking and jewelry making. She makes her porcelain clay and glazes from scratch.

Shenny uses high quality materials in addition to her porcelain including .925 Sterling Silver and 14K Gold Fill, and makes a variety of accessories including: hairpins, brooches, earrings, necklaces, and rings.

A dramatic piece!

What started as a way to pay for school supplies has turned into a part time business and a full time love affair.

Your past work experience or your current day job (“in my other life…”)

In my other life, I am a ceramic instructor at NIAD (National Institute of Art and Disability) and an exhibiting artist.

A sweet blue bloom from Shendoe Ceramics

Fun facts about you, your craft or your business (“did you know…”)?

Shendoe Ceramics writes a scholarship to help a ceramic artist attend NIAD.

The artist at work!

I also go by….

Shenny is short for Shenandoah and Shendoe is my nickname.

Thanks, Shenny! We’re glad to have more ceramics in the shop; as always, you gotta stop by to see all our newest, awesomest products!

B-boy style pioneer and dad Nate Tan

Featuring images of headphones, records, and general hip-hop chic, New Skool keeps kids real with functional and fashionable tees and onesies. Let’s hear more from the man behind the design, Nate Tan!

Your business story…

New Skool was founded in 2003 by artist and father, Nathan Tan, aka Nate1 MPC. Evolving from 20 plus years in painting graffiti murals and 10 years of working in the fashion industry, New Skool has become a trend setter in kids graphics and boldly branded itself as a Hip Hop Company. Currently New Skool is distributed in the US and Japan working with independently owned boutiques and stores.

Your past work experience or your current day job (“in my other life…”)

Before New Skool, I worked in the fashion/design industry for 10 years creating graphics, patterns and product development.

Fun facts about you, your craft or your business (“did you know…”)?

I have been documented as a pioneer artist of the Bay Area Graffiti Art movement in the book The History of American Graffiti by Caleb/Neelon. I currently teach a Graffiti History class and workshop with some of our clients being Facebook, Microsoft, Ebay and more.

We love it! Your young peeps will be stylin’ in New Skool gear; come on by and check out the selection!

Laura at SF's Renegade Craft Fair

Laura used to use pre-cut wooden pieces, but was moved to learn lasercutting skills for herself after always having to answer the customer question, “Did you make these shapes?” in the negative. She decided to pursue a class at TechShop, a Bay Area-based workshop that gives members access to all kinds of industrial machines, including lathes, milling machines, and CNC routers; the kinds of stuff you’d love to get your hands on but don’t want to cram into your apartment. Now that she has the know-how, she’s able to design her very own cameras, butterflies, and retro ladies. She’s now a devoted member of TechShop and continues learning and experimenting with new techniques; “After one month, I was hooked.”

Laura’s really awesome at sharing her story and skills with the community, making her a great ambassador for the handmade movement! Here’s a vid from Maker Faire 2011 that proves it:

And now, a bit about the artist in her own words:

The YES & YES designs Story

I am Laura Bruland: crafter, designer, barista, derby girl, sister, daughter, neighbor, and friend to many in Oakland, CA. I love the fun, playful aspects of creating, which really shows through in my pieces. For me, making jewelry is a constant exploration, especially in color and pattern (both of which I LOVE!).

YES & YES designs is a one-woman operation. All of my work is designed, then laser cut and etched by me at TechShop in San Francisco. Because I use vintage books as my medium, there is a definite limit to the number of pieces that can be cut from each book. That means that each piece is one of (at most) 3-4 others like it in THE WHOLE WORLD!

Did you know?

All of the wool I use is either vintage wool from my grandmother’s collection, or else “upcycled” from old sweaters.

I’ve also been known to answer to…

For a while, I worked as a Fairy (that was my official job title) doing magic, balloons, and face paints for children’s birthday parties under the name Miss Tallulah! (ed. note: Laura just became a member of the Bay Area Derby Girls under the name Chiquita Bonanza! Congrats!)

You’ve got to see to believe the fun selection of lasercut treats and woolen headbands that are perfect fall accessories! Come on by and check it out.

"If you look at my work and don't get a cavity from how cute it is, I didn't do my job." -Faheema Chaudhury

The Unicorn Crafts Story:

I studied art in college and worked with and around artists for 4 and a half years in the Bay Area. After moving back to LA in 2010, I started UNICORN CRAFTS. I give the 1970′s Shrinky Dink a modern spin, designing the pieces in Photoshop and Illustrator. The designs are then printed (or in some cases drawn onto) the special paper, meticulously cut and then baked. After coming out the oven, they take their form as earrings, necklaces, rings, pins and barrettes.

One of nature's most special friends, the narwhal!

I love making jewelry that blurs the age line. Who says you have to be a certain age to be a kid at heart?

In my other life…

Before moving back to LA I worked on the UC Berkeley campus educating students and community members about the art of Black and White Photography.

Did you know…

I have a massive sweet tooth! Rainbows make me happier than you can imagine.

We’re not out of these adorable candy corn earrings yet, but don’t dawdle; come on down and satisfy your own sweet tooth with Unicorn Crafts’ calorie-free treats!

The Bee Parade Story:

Ever since I was in Girl Scouts, I always felt the satisfaction from creating something with my hands. There is a tactile love to the things you make; how every thing isn’t exactly the same or perfect. I started Bee Parade to allow my inner girlscout to create and play and imagine. A lot of my influences are from vintage and retro designs.

In my other life…

I am a freelance graphic designer and wedding invitation designer. I started out in accounting and after several years, I decided that I needed to be something more creative and I went back to school for a degree in graphic design.

Did you know…

I’m a big time gamer. Board games, computer games, video games, card games. If you couldn’t tell from the 8-bit mosaics, my absolute favorite is Nintendo. And my favorite Nintendo character is Luigi, the scaredy-cat underdog brother of Mario. He really needs to go to therapy. (Editor’s note: have you seen this take on the dramatic life of Mario and his bro? Hilarious.)

I also go by…

I have way too many nicknames. They are all different depending on who you ask, and some too embarrassing to mention. Some of the most popular are : corn, corn dog, corn diggity dog, cor, cory, hardcor, rinnee and the list goes on.

No, we need to hear all your nicknames, Corn Dog! Just kidding. Stop by our little corner of Alameda anytime to see Corinne’s work and all of our other fantastic new products that are starting to flood in for the holidays. See ya soon!

The Yvo Crochet Story:

My grandmother taught me how to crochet a few years ago.  What started as a fun hobby has turned into my passion.   There are endless possibilities of textures and colors to experiment with.  My friends and family are what have inspired me through the years. They have challenged me to advance my crocheting skills as well as my creative design skills.  I enjoy making pieces that I hope people will love.

In my other life…

When I’m not crocheting, I’m working as an IT Business Analyst.  I enjoy being a part of a team that develops products and processes to help people work more efficiently and effectively.  I’ve also recently become intrigued with feather hair extensions and have started a business with my friend.  Check out our stuff on Etsy!

Did you know…

Did you know that I almost gave up on crocheting because all I knew was how to make scarves?  My friend introduced me to the world of amigurumi, and that opened up a new world of crocheting for me!

I also go by…

My friends call me Yvo (pronounced e-vo), hence YvoCrochet.  :)

If we call you Yvo, can we be your friend too?! Come see these lovely designs in person; the store’s never looked better and is chock-full of goodies to brighten your day!

The i am dorkas Story

My middle name is Dorkas and growing up, I never wanted to tell a soul. (editor’s note: one of the Brides in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is named Dorkas; she’s super cute!)
My mother taught me how to sew when I was 5 and I wanted to show the world.
A few years ago I decided to unleash my secret middle name and pursue the creative arts just as I had always dreamed.
And so, i am dorkas was born: a mixture of textiles and jewelry that are collaborative efforts among my loved ones.

In my other life…

I went to school for Business Management. Ended up moving to New York to pursue fashion styling only to realize it wasn’t for me, worked at an accessories company, quit, waitressed, quit, taught swim lessons, quit, and now I am currently juggling ‘i am dorkas’ with my other company ‘You Go, I Go, We Go Photography’ (wedding photography) and anything else that pays the bills!

Did you know…

I am half Finnish, half Indonesian, born in California, and currently living in Brooklyn. My background has heavily influenced my work and aesthetic and I look forward to incorporating my culture into the cloth.

I also go by…

Most people call me Mari, but the really embarrassing nickname that my sisters call me is “Vern.” (this comes from the movie Stand By Me)

Vern! Dorkas! Mari! Whatever you call her, this artist is no longer suffering from name shame, has some serious skills, and we’re thrilled to have some of her coolest designs on the Modern Mouse shelves. Stop on by and see for yourself!

The Moletta Design story:

In our studio, you will find us – Ignazio and Melissa. Ignazio is an industrial and graphic designer from Milan with a great fashion sense and a really awesome accent and Melissa is a graphic designer/photographer from San Francisco and is still in love with bikes even after being hit by a car while on her daily cycling commute to the office. We are married and living in San Francisco, CA in front of the Golden Gate Park, and life couldn’t get much better than us.

In my other life…

In Melissa’a other life she is the Community Orchestrator for Delivering Happiness helping spread the movement of happiness by building out a solid passionate communities of people with the same goal in mind – happiness. And Ignazio is a freelance web graphic/user interface designer.

Did you know…

Did you know that everything we sell is 100% handmade? Not only handmade, these bad boys are HOMEmade, too. ‘Cause that’s where we make them. In our home. With the same creativity and passion that your mom uses to make chocolate chip cookies. So, you could say that we make homemade chocolate chip cookies for bikes, but then everyone would get confused.

Follow Molletta on Twitter and make sure to give their Facebook fan page a big ol’ like!