The thing is, they’re so darn cute! That’s why we’re taking all of the cuteness (and none of the chalky aftertaste) for this month’s Crafty Hour and making some sweet embroidered conversation hearts that’ll last forever.

Remember this one? Hot dog! What about "Fax Me?"

You can make your heart say anything. Anything. No judgements here! We’ll have some pins and some string so you can make yours wearable or into a hangable ornament. Not to mention that we’ll send you home with some Valentine cookie goodness from Alameda High’s Sweets and Treats Club. RSVP on the Modern Mouse Facebook page so we can have enough candy-colored felt for you to make a whole box full of hearts, and in the meantime, “Chill Out, Be Good, and Fax Me!”

Some say Valentine’s Day is a holiday created by greeting card companies. We say: Let’s go all out & celebrate love!

If you’re stumped on what to give to your darling for Valentine’s Day, take a look through our gift guide for goodies that go beyond your typical box of chocolates and dozen roses. You’ll definitely get extra points for giving the gift of handmade and local, too.

Click through the slideshow to see all the goods.

A bit more about Tomoko: Before becoming a designer, she was a sports teacher for children and seniors in Tokyo. After a few years of teaching, she made a significant career change and pursued her dream as a designer! What an amazing story.

Where’s your studio located?
My studio is located in the Berkeley hills. I have a patio from which I have a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, SF downtown and Berkeley.

Dreamy view from Tomoko's home studio in the Berkeley hills

That view is gorgeous! What is it that you create?
I design San Francisco art which I use with my greeting card line, calendar, T-shirt, tote bag and other goods. 

 [Note: Tomoko also has extensive experience in the design of corporate products such as logos, marketing brochures, package design and business cards. I think she was being modest for our interview!]

Tomoko at Renegade Craft Fair with her "Colors of San Francisco" line!

Your artwork’s so cheerful and inspiring. Where do your dreams become reality? Tell us more about your workspace.
I have my desk next to a big window in my studio. From my desk, I have a nice view of my garden and I can see some nature through the window.

A view of nature is essential to Tomoko's workspace

That’s a very serene desk and view. What tools and materials can you simply not live without?


I am always with my sketch book wherever I go. Sometimes, I want a change into a fresh environment so I often like to sketch in a cafe or in a park.

A beautiful day to sit by the bridge and sketch away!

Taking your work outdoors is a great idea! What keeps you going and gets you inspired?


I make my environment very quiet. This way I can concentrate on my design.

That concentration definitely pays off! What’s in the works?


I just finished designing my 2013 San Francisco Calendar. I am now working on a project I was eager to start for a while which is designing a children’s book about San Francisco! It makes me very excited and I enjoy everything about my work.

Wow, a children’s book sounds like a perfectly fun project! Good luck, and thanks for showing your studio, Tomoko!

Tomoko Maruyama’s products are perfect for the spring season that’s just around the corner. Come by the store to see her delightful goods for yourself, or visit our online shop!

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.

Armed with wooden blocks, a selection of differently-textured yarns, and tons of color options, we set out to make some stamps (and some discoveries)!

The bigger the mess, the better the craft!

Once we got stamping, the ideas flowed. Some folks preferred the unpredictability of paint, while others appreciated the stable stamp pad.

Experimentation = key!

 This is serious business.

It’s always exciting to see a little instruction go a long way; with one simple technique, we made all sorts of great stuff: stationery, bookmarks, placemats, and frame-able pieces of art! Plus, a few inspired attendees are already plotting their fabric-printing adventures. Nice.

The smile of a satisfied crafter!

And of course, we just have to show off the snacks made by Alameda High’s Sweets and Treats Club. Yes, they were still warm. Thanks to everyone who attended; we had a fantastic time!

Coming up next month: Embroidered Candy Hearts! More details soon.

Guess who's in the January 2012 issue of Sunset Magazine?

As if that weren’t enough, we learned in December that we were featured in the Travel section of Sunset Magazine‘s January 2012 issue, in the “East Bay day trip” section of the article “Northern California Weekend”, where they spotlight our little island city of Alameda! We first heard rumor of it from some dear Sunset-subscribing customers and artists. Then Genevieve brought in her mom’s copy and even let me keep the page with us on it! Then when the magazine finally hit the stands, I went to our local Books Inc. shop and snatched up a bunch of copies at which to stare endlessly in delight.

Aha, there it is -- page 21!

Here’s the start of the article…

Okay, page 21. Yup, it's Alameda!

Flip the page, and…EEEEEEEK! There we are! :D :D :D In the good company of some of our fave local businesses who are also mentioned: Ole’s Waffle Shop (yum), Little House Cafe (double yum), Pacific Pinball Museum (where the MM team went for a memorable team outing), East End Pizza Co. (drool), Rock Wall Wine Company (love their patio), St. George Spirits (dangerously fun), Scolari’s (mmm) and more!

The full spread

I love the write-up and have yet to tire (and probably never will) of soaking it all in. “Etsy come to life,” it’s titled. “Yes, it’s in a mall, but Modern Mouse is worth seeking out for locally handmade goods like typewriter key necklaces, Lego earrings, or, naturally, a mustache for your bike’s handlebars. It’s the kind of shop you’d expect to find in Rockridge, yet here it is between Old Navy and Bed Bath & Beyond. Check out their new online store. 2228 South Shore Center; modernmousegifts.com.”

Our mention, up close and personal!

Oh and because things like this just don’t happen every day, here’s yet another shot of the article from the digital version of Sunset for iPad, thanks to techno-geek cousin Alfred! :]

Our Sunset piece on the iPad!

We can’t thank you enough, Sunset Magazine! And to our beloved customers and staff whom we wouldn’t be here without. The wonderful attention is a small business’s dream come true. :]

Printing by hand is all the rage these days, and this project proves you don’t need any special equipment or fancy machinery to create something wonderful. We’ll be making a series of stamps and then using them to create ultra-modern patterns on paper and whatever other surfaces we can get our hot little hands on! Trusty Mouse Polly will be leading the workshop, which is this Thursday, January 12, from 5-7, right here at the shop.

For a mere $5, we’ll supply the materials, tasty snacks, and drinks; just bring your awesome self and join what’s blossomed into a great community of the funnest folks in Alameda County! RSVP on our Facebook page; we look forward to meeting you!

Time to boogie the night away with your friends and family. Don’t be shy & get fancy–New Year’s Eve only comes once a year. Here are a few suggestions for making the night one to remember, and 2012 the best year you’ve ever had.

Add some sparkle & snap to your New Years outfit!

Clockwise from top left:

Clockwork Earrings by I Am Dorkas: Make a timely statement with these earrings made of brass clockhands. Keep them polished or let the brass weather with time as you please.

Oh Snap Necklace by Scene Not Herd: A hand-stamped charm complements the retro camera pendant of this picture-worthy necklace. On an antiquated brass chain, to complete your vintage look.

Bleached Peacock Feather Earrings by heidiroland: Wave your feathers in your ears like you just don’t care! Knotted gold-colored chain adds glimmer and shine to these beachy feather dangles.

Silver Pearl Ring by lemonade handmade: The soft sparkle of the brushed fine recycled silver “pearl” glows against the matte black of the oxidized silver band. Simply luminous on your finger as you celebrate throughout the night.

Gold Fuchsia Drop Earrings by Yeah Hello: Pretty fuchsia glass gems dance from gold plated earring hooks. Add a perfect pop of color to your party duds!

Garnet Teardrop Bracelet by Bella Beads Originals: Get your wrist noticed! Subtle and beautiful garnet teardrops are wire-wrapped on 14k gold filled wire. The deep burgundy red looks great on its own or layered with more bracelets.

Gold Lace Droplettes by Yeah Hello: Matte gold textured lace droplettes are elegant and fun. Keep it classy.

Brass Curve Necklace by Faux Keeps: It’s minimal and modern times with this brass circular tube on a gold-filled chain. A look that transcends the moment!