Coupa Cosas

Koide Studio

2010-03-17T13:29:00.000-07:00

A little goes a long way with this talented ceramic artist Koide Studio. Her pieces are flawless, japanese style, with balance and simplicity. Who doesn't want more of that in their life. The best things about her items is that they're functional. She is always coming out with another delightful glaze and we now have fresh work of hers in our shop. Take a look at these babies! They look like candy now don't they? Have your house guest eat cereal out of these bowls and they'll love you forever. Heck, everyone needs to have a little bit of color in their life, why not start with the morning.
Anyways, Koide Studio makes whimsical, clean, perfected items. There's no love missing from any of her pieces. She doesn't like huge bulky handles on her cups, so she's been making darling knobs, that might be an innovation to the future.

Applesauce Gals

2010-01-11T16:51:00.000-08:00

These adorable clothes are handmade by two pretty sisters. They are adorable! The sweetest ladies you’ll ever meet! One is a mommy that tries all she can to not take the clothes and put them on her own children. She has a beautiful smile and is so in tuned with everything. The other sister falls in love with fashion, stores like Anthropologie and sports a black coat in the winter time, to flatter her beautiful complexion.
The material of these children clothes: Are handpicked vintage finds, washed, loved and carefully and aesthetically reworked, into beautiful handmade kids outfits! Almost everything they have is reversible. The style is very whimsical. Some of the jackets conceal hidden treasure pockets. The only thing I wish is they made clothes in women size.

MaeBee you'll find one truly for you!

2009-08-14T16:18:00.000-07:00

Are you a busy working woman? You just want to have goregous simple jewelry to accompany and stay with you throughout day. You don't have time for the chunky and funky jewelery? Make way for this beautiful mama to make you these durable charm on the wrists, they won't get in the way of you typing something. Almost everyone I know, wants one and her prices are afforable. It amazes me that she has time to make these gentle pretty pieces and still has time to take care of her kids.

Marci Delight!

2009-08-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

Look at this golden nugget of goodness. Plenty more of graceful colors at our store, this vibrant adventurous woman came in with a ziest for life and it shows in her work. Her aunt passed and gave her tons of valuable porcelain, that are expensive to buy today. She decided to make more than one use of these delicate one of kind dishes and transform these pieces into natural art. Put a little spice in your home, or in someones life by getting one of these babies. It doesn't matter if you're known as a plant killer, these plants sing for days. Even long time from now, if they ever past, you'll have a beautiful cup to drink from.

If one talent was all you thought she had, think again. This luminous capable Marci Hayden rocks little and big houses, made with bottle wine corks, from all local wineries if I might add. She gets the corks from her dinner parties. Also all the gals at her local community gym, donate corks to her too. Then she plays love match maker with the rocks, finding rocks that perfectly fit with eachother and transforms the two mediums into charming casas.

That is so KOOOL-WALD.

2009-08-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

Actually it's Caitlin Kuhwald. This is a staff and customer favorite out of her collection. She's an instructor at CCAC in Oakland, teaching illustration. Miss popular throughout the bay with both students and buyers. There's a certain spazz and class about her nifty art. These prints she makes are affordable now and would be fabulous for the house or a gift. We also got some rad buttons from her, if you feel like wearing art all day with a cause. She has a line of self portraits, inspiring friends and makes things anyone can relate to. Come to our store and fall in love with Caitlin. Well not literally though, because she's getting married very soon and we're so excited!

Yay for Mandy!

2009-07-17T13:20:00.000-07:00

One of our artists is getting ready for the Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco! July 18th-19th 11am-7pm. She has been sewing for sixteen hours a day, while training for a triathlon and taking care of her two kids. Just like us, she is overwhelmed. I hope she sells everything in her booth. In the mean time, come to our store to check out some of her new creations. Everything is hand dyed and stitched with warmth and imagination. Lots of love and luck her way!

Wooden Treasures.

2009-05-16T13:35:00.000-07:00

Real silver. Dwellling and wonder about what happened to the wood with silver details is over. The moment is now, the moment is here. Quality unique wood for your home or kitchen is available and is being caressed by authentic silver. Each of the wooden pieces have their own different personalities. Some of the wood has a happy golden sheen while others are warm with intricate details. The darker wood seems to go with everything and has a beautiful yet humble prestigous quality. All of it is bought from Venezuela in fair trade. Looks so good, I'm sure your father would approve.

Keeping camera with me, so I can remember all the regulars.

2009-05-09T17:18:00.000-07:00

I needed to share only one of the many reasons why I enjoy working here. Here are two regulars that come by our store. We love all our neighbors in this town.

Need a casual and unique beauty to have for those busy bee days?

2009-05-09T16:23:00.000-07:00

This woman is ambitious. Her work is a gift and she is fierce with kindness. She has taken a creative avenue to dream up something that would warm anyone's heart and any woman could wear with pride. Once you wear one of these beauties you won't be able to take it off. After placing them in the store I am having a hard time resisting the red thread necklace with a precious sand dollar and dainty feather. It encourages my adventurous spirit. Come check them out!

Gold leaf painting... this pretty lady has skills.

2009-05-09T15:23:00.000-07:00

She just might be the queen of intricate style. She places each detail carefully onto the canvas. She's an emerging artist, though one could never tell, so her prices are still affordable for such luxury. She blends gold leaf into her canvas and knows which colors merge in appealing harmony. She has tiles that she makes as well with lovely painted figures. She has a kind soul and is very passionate and humble about her work. She recently established a new space in her home to create more paintings and will be swinging by with her mentors and loved ones tomorrow. She is a vivacious woman with lively art.

Lace to charming base

2009-05-09T15:17:00.000-07:00

I just spotted a trend. Chayo and Wild Woman Ceramics have produced their own style of ceramics by putting their grandmothers' hand stitched lace to good use. They press the intricate patterns into their work. Here are some precious pieces.

Do ceramic artists hear my thoughts? I think they do!

2009-05-09T15:12:00.001-07:00

I was jiving away on the computer in this hidden treasure of a shop and I started thinking I need some really cool new ceramic artists in the store. In came a charming lady by the name of Chayo shyly asking if we were looking for any ceramic artists. I was so excited! She has come from Portland, I just love Portland. Then she showed me her baskets full of exceptional items. Here is one of the pieces.

"I love making things out of whatever intrigues me. In fact I can't stop my hands and brain from creating. I am excited about this site and enjoy the community of hand crafters. It is wonderful to be able to post what I have made,let others enjoy it and also sell. Everything I make is made with love and good intentions.
I have been a clay artist for 25 years. Love Love Love clay!"

Everyone loves Mandy!

2009-05-09T13:19:00.000-07:00

Dynamite Metal Work!

2009-05-09T13:03:00.000-07:00

This snazzy little lady has been accelerating in metal work. Even cuter, her boyfriend's grandpa is her mentor in creating her nifty pieces. Come tip toe or run to our store to see what she's doing!

Unleash William Carter

2009-03-12T16:42:00.000-07:00

"Scenes from Piemonte Countryside, Italy 2002" by William Carter

This kind eyed famous gentleman has gone through difficult trenches to get this striking photograph. Getting off a train in Italy, he witnessed a rare magical moment that makes photographers love what they do. The sun shined through the cherry blossoms after the rain creating an ethereal glow, so he did everything he could to record this enchanting moment with his camera. To make the story short, he came back home, scanned his negative, stretched it through photoshop, then immortalized the photograph on canvas. We just displayed this yesterday and we've already received inquiries. How exciting! Don't you just love cherry blossoms?

Mrs. Yummy Ink!

2009-03-12T16:32:00.000-07:00

Yes her work is just as adventurous as her name. This lady is not only alluring, charming and a trend-setter, but she is a delicate imaginative artist that puts an incredible about of time in each piece. All the individual items she makes is different and special. This lady walks the line between Spain and California. Her smile is shown through her work. Come get dazzled by her ability to convey collective ideas into one home decor piece. Have no room for a delightful mobile that took her two weeks or so to make? Then come get inspired by her creative cards. It will make you say no more to the mass produced. There are three things in life and that is to be kind, kind and kind. This is she.

Unearthing Gentle Times...

2009-03-12T16:17:00.000-07:00

This lady spontaneously dashed her beautiful pieces into our gallery. They're so lovely, especially in person. She has been in between blurred edges, fields, all the gifts nature gives us. She even paints on photographs. She has stepped outside of the boundaries and has created exquisite, astounding and perhaps even calming creations. Each piece has strong visual distinction. Come tip toe to our store, or even dash in to view this artist's pieces and stand in her world.

"Years spent exploring wild places and abandoned urban landscapes - and by minor scientific study. Principles of geology, botany, astronomy and physics inform both my content and process.
My process takes cues from the natural order. Multi-layered surfaces are built through dripping, pooling, brushing, marking, and sanding. Driven by exploration, chance and gravity, I find equilibrium between chaos and control.With veils of color, complex surfaces, mysterious light sources, and blurred edges, the work investigates change and the act of becoming."

She's a Tiny White Whale....

2009-03-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

This fabulous kind-hearted lady has wild side, but can be found in its sophisticated form of lovely comfort in her eco-friendly makeup bags. She has created a stylish form of rice bags. She pays just as much attention to the inside of her bags as the outside. Gorgeous hidden inner patterns make for what I like to call "happy insides." She has assorted bags placed with love in our store, with a range of vibrant colors and quiet colors with a little twist. She only uses re-purposed upholster fabric from our local communities. Come and seek a one-of-a-kind bag that helps the environment!

The Heart of Our Store.

2009-02-14T13:16:00.000-08:00

It is an art. It is a true craft working with wood. There have been many visits to collect a quality collection of handcrafted wood. Several of the wooden pieces have a touch of silver. They can be both functional and an art form. They make beautiful presents and they're bought in fair trade, directly from the local people of Venezuela.
Come feast your eyes upon the luxurious wood grain. We also have a new collection of wooden fruit coming soon!

Shooting bug...

2009-02-13T15:56:00.001-08:00

This delightful woman has the shooting bug. She also helps little children learn to read as a fun side job. Under the currents of her spicy red shoes and stylish behavior is an eye for unique photography. I'm sure you've seen landscapes and people, but this lady collects maps n' special objects. She scouts pretty spots to assemble her collection and carries out a vision of her very own. Her ability to listen to others not only reflects her understanding personality, but her ability to have an eye for the good earth and place her creations.

Stack yo' mugs!

2009-02-13T14:00:00.000-08:00

" I built a studio in an old dairy barn (thanks to Wayne Starke) in South Dakota and built a wood-fire kiln, firing with free scrap from the local sawmills. Paul had told me that wood was the best way for a potter to use solar energy."

Cloudwest, Jered Nelson is a good natured person and a tasteful quality artist. He has discovered the secret in finding time, to be in his element in his chilly studio at the moment, creating beautiful functional ceramic pieces, while running his own store of his work. He's in Berkeley. There's no one quite like him out there.
"I am using a clay of my own formulation, 73% local material, strong stoneware. I have been in national shows, won awards, been in some of the best art fairs in the country. I am very much a product of my surroundings and reflect what I see, feel, taste, touch, and hear into my work. I have taken great care in making my pots strong, functional, safe and as eco-friendly as I know how so that when you need a mug, some tile or a sculpture you can feel good about getting it here.
I am not a company or corporation, I am a potter following his passion and trying to make that passion a service to others."
I'm at lost for words, this man as taken the alternative route in life, in so many different ways and is very successful in doing so.

Put your hands on Lisa Neimeth's Table Memories!

2009-02-12T19:47:00.000-08:00

It's not usual, that an artist will show their hiding spots, where they make things. She seems to know how to dish her talent in the most natural way. She's a collector, she imprints things she finds on the beach, or on any adventure she goes on. Then she imprints the objects onto the clay and then paints on top of the tableware afterwards. We're blessed, that this successful artist agreed to join us. Everyone closely examined her creations, because there's nothing that's quite like her work out there. There's something meaningful about each piece she makes.

Notebooks n' Wallets get togetha!

2009-02-12T18:58:00.000-08:00

Aren't they just eye candy? This crafty girl handmakes these nifty wallets and notebooks with love. They're so eco-friendly, you can get one of these babies without feeling guilty. This bay area girl knows how to put color me pretty colors and quirky together! Made with love truly. Come by our shop and adore.

Why it's a new place in life.

2009-02-12T18:24:00.000-08:00

I finally got inspired to make a blog so that people can see what's happening with the store. We just got a new beautiful children's artist, who put's her heart and soul into these precious children clothes. Her brand is Small Threads, she's from Concord and she supports her family with this crafty talent of hers. She machine stitches everything and then handstitches the outline of everything. She get's ideas from watching her kids play and gets to invent these new kids characters. How lovely!