What makes Branch and Vine so unique?

When you visit a Branch & Vine booth at one of their farmers markets, festivals or fairs, prepare yourself for more than just purchasing a delicious product; prepare yourself for an exceptional EXPERIENCE! 

This small, family-owned company is a genuine hidden gem founded by just two owners, Ray Brown and Kalie Nguyen. They understand the significance of having the freshest, highest quality ingredients to create a final product that is truly extraordinary.  Over the course of the years, the couple has created and curated a symphony of flavors coming from several sources. They thoroughly enjoy sharing their knowledge of all of the infused flavors they offer, from infused Olive oils sourced from  Napa Valley, CA to their premium barrel aged Balsamic from Modena, Italy. With over 36 flavors of Olive Oils and Balsamic vinegar, 7 salt infusions, several 100% honey blossom flavors, 25 loose-leaf teas and balsamic jam, flavor options will always be plentiful in your kitchen. 

We love the wide variety! What is your biggest influence in creating?

I used to be a bartender, server and a restaurant manager, so food, and hospitality is what I know.

How do you define success as an artist?

Success to us, is when a customer can experience our products and see for themselves how it makes their meals, and life, better.

How have you continued to develop your skill?

As a former bartender, I learned how to mix multiple flavors together and make people happy. Now we are able to do that on a daily basis with olive oils and balsamic.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Constantly creating different flavors and innovative products that keep our customers coming back for more, and educating people on how our products are different from the rest.

How has your brand changed over time?

We started with just 9 flavors and have built and evolved into 38 flavors and added multiple products of sea salt, tea, honey, and balsamic jam.

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

Seeing a multitude of customers faces happy and following us to different festivals, fairs and markets.  No matter where we go, there's always a supportive group following us; it’s humbling, and it feels great!

Love that! What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

We love our barbecue combination! It has our garlic olive oil, hickory smoked balsamic and brisket rub. It's amazing on the grill.

That sounds so delicious! What do you love most about Burbank?

 It's such a cultural melting pot, and all of the amazing food!

Catch Branch and Vine at Jackalope Pasadena on April 27th & 28th, 2024 AND at the Downtown Burbank Arts Festival on June 8th & 9th, 2024.

Website: www.branchandvineupland.com

Instagram: @branchandvine

Catherine with Slow Stir Foods

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

I was born in Taiwan and raised in the US and I identify closely with my biracial heritage. Being Taiwanese and Caucasian, my multicultural upbringing significantly influenced how I would eventually create Slow Stir Foods. Exceptional cuisine and service to others were principal teachings throughout my childhood, so my drive to create a food brand rooted in seasonal, healthier ingredients that also exudes a sense of warmth and beauty is in my DNA.

How did you get your start?

My professional culinary career began in 2010, however, my lifelong love for cooking began much earlier. My memory of this starts at age four when I learned to bake Great Grandma Ruth’s mace cookies on Christmas Eve with Aunt Michele. Fast forward to December 2019, I finally decided to seriously pursue my dream of launching a food business. It felt like a now or never moment and I am so grateful that I listened to that quiet voice in my heart; because unbeknownst to me at that moment, the global Covid-19 pandemic was emerging and in a twist of fate it was an incredible launching pad for a packaged food business like mine. It was a unique time when people were increasingly buying local, due to supply chain issues from transportation to import, and doing so preferably at outdoor farmers markets when available. That’s my start in a nutshell.

Very cool. Who/what is your biggest influence in creating?

My biggest artistic influence is the seasonal produce I see at the farmers markets – the quality and characteristics of fruits inspire which herbs and spices I want to incorporate, the ratio of sugar or acid used to yield fruit forward products and how much kitchen time is required for the final product to taste and feel outstanding and consistent. And in the professional food world, my biggest artistic influence is definitely Chef Jamie Oliver. Even in his early days as The Naked Chef, his passionate advocacy that healthy, clean eating doesn’t have to feel mundane or be expensive was uniquely demonstrated in his home cooking methods that starred fresh, accessible ingredients to create outstanding family style meals. That really resonated with me on a personal level long before I knew I would have a food business.

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

A typical day in the kitchen is spread through a good 10-12 hours of work that starts around 8 or 9am depending on how much administrative duties I have to prioritize. I produce a variety of seasonal preserves and nut butters, so depending on the schedule I’m crafting one line or both lines of products simultaneously from prep to packaging. I’m pretty heads down when I work so I can easily cook in silence but more often it’s with my favorite music streaming. I believe that our energy goes into everything we create so my environment is important to how I flow through my process and handle stress. From how I feel to the sounds that fill my space and heart, a typical day in the kitchen is basically shaped by intention and mindfulness.

How do you define success as an artist?

Success as a creative entrepreneur in the food industry has been an ongoing collection of milestones, closely intertwined with my personal and professional growth. Making a career out of authentic self-expression has been one of my life’s ultimate purposes. Feeling supported by the new and returning customers helps me see that I am achieving an essential aspect of my life’s purpose. Additionally, responsibly producing high quality foods in a world of fast consumerism and enormous waste is significant, especially in a city that offers a plethora of options and has one of the highest costs of doing business.

Well said! What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Simultaneously scaling production and business can be extremely difficult when all the products are handmade to the highest standards possible. Growing a business such as mine includes hiring people who aren’t simply energized by the culinary arts but also align with my heart-centered ethos and culture. This creative side of relationship building requires deep trust and letting go of the proverbial reins. So even though it’s still a one woman circus with regard to the actual production, I’ve been fortunate to hire retail support who I trust and have huge potential to help the business grow. You will see them representing Slow Stir Foods at farmers markets and special events like Jackalope!

Do your creations with Slow Stir help you in other areas of your life?

Definitely! Creating and sharing food is a natural fit for my personality, spiritual development and way of life. My creations are an expression of who I am, my values, and what brings me joy and hope. I shared a bit about being intentional and mindful during a typical day in the kitchen. It's an exercise in equilibrium: to be present, grounded and disciplined which are vital to my success and how I want to move through life. These are important to me because the day can be full of opportunities for distraction when I need to focus the most! So when I feel in alignment while working, which is usually most hours of the day, it supports and fuels me to maintain desirable habits. So my creation process is part of what makes me feel more connected to my overall sense of purpose in life.

How has your style changed over time?

While working as a pastry chef around a dozen years ago, I began creating minimal added sugar jams for clients, and eventually peanut butter for myself. It made sense that any future business of mine would reflect this progression. Slow Stir Foods was founded on preserving local seasonal fruit so this would mean rotating menus around 3-4 times a year. Once I identified growers who made certain fruits naturally available year round, some of my preserves became top sellers as they became more accessible. Eventually, I added regularly available nut butters to my brand. So I went from a heavy rotation of fruit based products to offering a core line of fruit and nut products year round. One of these core items is my line of Pistachio Butters which have been a huge hit. I’m excited for Jackalope attendees to taste healthy nut butters and preserves that are truly one of a kind!

We can’t wait to try them! What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

This is like asking someone who their favorite child is! In thinking about the items I use daily from my line of preserves and nut butters, what I call my “day-to-night spreads” because of their versatility, I would pick the following items which will be available at Jackalope Burbank. I often use the sugar-free Pure Pistachio Butter in a salad with goat cheese and red beets; it also makes a luscious and smooth pesto. I enjoy making a unique plant based milk with the Sweet Pistachio Butter - it’s sooo good! For preserves, our Good Food Award winning summer Raspberry XO has a wonderful balance of sweet and tart that goes from outstanding breakfast spread to a surprise ingredient in trout en papillote and dessert topping for chocolate cake – plus it pairs exceptionally well with our pistachio butters anytime of the day! During the cooler months, I use our classic Spiced Apple Spread in roasted brussels sprouts, or layered into a coldcut or grilled cheese sandwich. And I honestly can’t get enough of our Orange Cardamom Preserve on a buttery croissant or used as a glaze for pan roasted chicken. I often encourage customers to experience Slow Stir Foods products as savory applications to appreciate how they can elevate snacks and meals from something nice to something unforgettably scrumptious! Which is why these make excellent gifts.

How has your career developed?

In my food career, I evolved from being a serious home cook to professional baker and finally taking the leap to being a food business owner with a lot of ideas. As a result my product offerings have steadily grown and diversified and so has my reach – which created a need for additional help. Naturally, my focus shifted from leading myself to also leading others in new ways. This has felt very different from when I led colleagues on behalf of someone else’s vision and bottomline. Between the time it took to launch Slow Stir Foods and my early work in the culinary arts, I spent a number of years in the corporate space from nonprofit to for profit. So developing this food business became a full-time career at the end of 2019 with 100% involvement in all aspects of it from ideation to the bottomline. I applied every relevant hard and soft skill and knowledge that I gained into creating Slow Stir Foods. There’s more at stake now and being successful has taken on a new and more authentic meaning in my career and in life.

Anything new in the works?

I am thrilled that a long overdue release of our newest nut butter The Pink Stuff is available! This delightfully sweet and tart, all natural almond berry butter is a fun, delicious, and nutritious spread with depth of flavor. Customers are enthused over how hard it is to enjoy just one scoop and we couldn’t agree more. For our preserves, some of our berry scrumptious seasonal spring items will be available at Jackalope Pasadena. Please stop at our booth where you’ll discover new favorites while shopping for Mother’s Day or for any occasion!

Catch Slow Stir Foods at Jackalope Pasadena on April 27th & 28th, 2024.

Website: www.slowstirfoods.com

Instagram: @slowstirfoods

Michelle from Fruit of the Bloom

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

I grew up in suburban Chicago, and while I was lucky enough to have been exposed to art in many forms in a city where art is revered, my artistic abilities originate from my mother’s family. My grandfather, Harvey Rubin, was a commercial artist and sign painter for the Chicago Park District, and my mom, who minored in art at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, is by far the most creative person I’ve ever met. My cousin Marcie, an accomplished artist with a Master’s of Fine Arts from the University of Chicago, is a curator for a local art museum. My mom always encouraged me to nourish and lean into my creative side. This led me to enter art contests and participate in theater, dance, speech team…and eventually evolved into a 17-year career as a publicist in the entertainment industry before leaving to pursue floral preservation full-time. My grandfather would probably bemoan the fact that my new(er) profession has little to do with my (expensive) college degree, but I think he’d understand that I want to spend every day surrounded by flowers, making art and creating a second life for beautiful blooms.

What is your biggest artistic influence?

Nature is my biggest influence. Flowers have this insane power to instantly boost your mood. We send flowers to convey just about any emotion or sentiment, and to be able to turn that ephemeral beauty into a piece of botanical artwork is quite magical.  Whenever possible, I love to see how flowers grow outdoors to witness their natural movements and “interactions” with other flora and fauna. I also can spend hours walking through The Original Los Angeles Flower Market and perusing the social feeds of local florists like Wild Flora, Seed Floral and The English Garden who create jaw dropping arrangements that have tons of movement and texture. There is so much beauty in the imperfections of nature: a bud that won’t open or a flower with an extra petal. It’s a great reminder to artists such as myself to embrace the beautiful elements of our work that make it handmade.

Love that! How do you define success as an artist?

If fresh flowers can bring a smile to someone’s face, I’d love nothing more than for my resin pieces to also make someone smile. I mean, it wouldn’t hurt for that smile to turn into a “I must have this piece in my home,” but getting that unfiltered, positive reaction to my work is rewarding. The majority of my (economic) success comes from bespoken collections: sentimental pieces that I’ve made using bridal bouquets, memorial flowers or other meaningful arrangements. But it’s so much fun to experiment and create pieces that I can sell at markets. I love interacting with nature and art-loving people!

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Resin, resin resin, ha! Resin is a challenging and finicky medium and has an innate ability to keep even the most experienced resin professionals on their toes! Resin not only requires consistency and stability in ambient temperature and humidity but mixing too much at a time, using too much heat to pop bubbles or even pouring too quickly can cause a “flash cure” or a slew of other issues. I knew that being an artist would mean having to wear a lot of hats (ex: social media manager, website developer, photographer, videographer, sander, marketer), but chemist wasn’t one I expected to wear daily.

How has your style changed over time?

I’ve always gravitated towards patterns, bright colors, things that stand out. Colored bouquets tend to dry the best (whites can turn ivory or have tinges of yellow), and they look absolutely stunning against a black or colored background. I’ve been experimenting with more colors, ombre backgrounds and even patterns.  For instance, I have these woven black and white French bistro chairs that have seen better days. I cut out and used some of the plastic “threads” as bold background for some coasters featuring yellow butterfly ranunculus.  I’ve always been fascinated with mixed media; most of the art in our home is of that genre, so it feels natural that I’ve also been playing around with floral cyanotypes. Right now, I am working on a few resin pieces where the dried flowers used will have a cyanotype “shadow” in the fabric background of the piece.

Propagation Vase

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

I’m always drawn to functional art, and I’m going to have a hard time letting go of this funky propagation vase from my “coral collection.” Magenta, tangerine, lime and mellow yellow celosia and cockscomb “float” in a vibrant, water-like blue background. It has color, texture, embedded flowers AND holds a few fresh blooms – what more could you want?!

Beautiful. What do you love most about Burbank?

My husband grew up in Burbank, and it’s really special to see some of his closest friends return with families of their own. My mother-in-law also lives there, so we are in the area quite often. I haven’t lived in my hometown of Chicago in 20 years, and most of my relatives are in the Midwest or farther, so being in Burbank feels like coming home.

And, finally - is there anything special that you would like to share?

Thanks to social media, especially TikTok and Instagram, there has been an increased interest in and knowledge of epoxy resin from crafters and non-crafters alike. While it’s exciting to see, for anyone looking to experiment, please make sure you do your research and not only buy quality epoxy resin (which does not include what is available at chain craft stores) but most importantly, PPE including nitrile gloves and a respirator mask. Even the top tier brands that claim to have no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are toxic once you mix Part A and Part B, so PPE and good ventilation is essential. Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram (@FruitOfTheBloomBoutique) with any questions. I love talking about resin!

Catch Fruit of the Bloom at Jackalope Burbank on December 9th & 10th!

Website: www.fruitofthebloomboutique.com

Instagram: @fruitofthebloomboutique

Lauren Jane

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

I grew up in Memphis, TN surrounded by music, art and nature. I grew up out in the country playing in fields and in the woods. So much of my inspiration has come from all things nature and my love for the outdoors. My creativity originally manifested through music in the early years of my adult life. Since then my creativity has evolved into art on canvas and handcrafted jewelry. These memories were my early love for jewelry.

What is your biggest artistic influence?

Nature inspires me. California sunsets, the ocean, and trees. Any kind of abstract art is incredibly inspiring. I love that it can mean something unique to each person.

How do you define success as an artist?

The passion and experience of the process is how I define success. I love the outcome and of course sharing it with the world. But the act of creating puts me into a blissful state of presence which I love.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Sometimes when I want to try out a new idea, theme or color scheme it can be difficult to precisely execute what’s in my head. Usually in these moments, I try to let go and focus only on the main ingredients for that piece. Sometimes it's a shape or color scheme and from there I just let my creativity flow with no pressure.

How has your style changed over time?

Over time I have evolved to really love utilizing alcohol inks as my primary medium. My style has expanded from very bright colors to more recently neutral tones.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

This painting, Coral Reef, is one of my favorites. I truly just let my creativity flow and this piece evolved over the course of several weeks. It reminds me of the gorgeous coral reefs in the Caribbean which is one of my favorite places to visit.

What do you love most about Burbank?

My best friend (we’ve been friends since we were 2 and both grew up in Memphis together) and her two sweet boys live here so that’s my number one reason! ;) I absolutely love the vibe in the Burbank neighborhoods. Everything is so walkable and there are so many gorgeous trees!

Is there anything else that you would like to share?

I love cats! I lived in Shanghai, China for 4 years back in the late 2000’s and adopted 2 cats while I lived there. One is still with us, Sasha, and she is 16 years old.

Catch Lauren Jane Designs at Jackalope Burbank this December 9th & 10th!

Website: www.laurenjanedesigns.com

Instagram: @laurenjanedesigns

Vivian Au

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

  I was born and raised in Kansas City and I am first generation American born of immigrant parents. As teenagers, my parents immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong. Growing up as the only Chinese kid in school, my parents made sure that my brothers and I were exposed to our Chinese culture as much as possible. Every few years we would travel to Hong Kong to visit family, which is how we were mostly exposed to our culture. Hong Kong is known for its extensive chains of jewelry stores shinning with 24 karat gold jewelry of all kinds. On those trips, I remember so clearly everyday going to the main streets of Kowloon going into jewelry stores one after an other. Intricate 24k gold chains, pendants, earrings, bangles, and traditional Chinese wedding jewelry was what fascinated me the most.

These memories were my early love for jewelry.

Melody Lil’ Girls fancy bracelet and matching Mommy bracelet

How did you get your start with your own business?

Seventeen years ago I was creating jewelry for a local jewelry designer. I learned a lot in how to run a business while having the creative freedom in creating her jewelry line. At twenty five years old, I decided to take the leap of faith to become an independent jewelry designer and manufacturer. Thirteen years in creating your Forever Love Story, that is how Vi Ling Designs was created. 

What is your biggest artistic influence?

My ethnic culture is my biggest artistic influence. Growing up as the only Chinese girl in grade school really made me appreciate my ethnicity. I love to create pieces with influences of Chinese cultural art combining my love of fashion and minimalism. 

How do you define success as an artist?

Success as an artist in my perspective is looking back of all the years prior to and seeing the growth of my business and myself. All the tough times and struggles has built me to who I am today. I didn’t pack up and give up during the hard times. Instead I kept learning different aspects of the jewelry industry to build self growth. 

NEW Lil’ girls fancy bracelets for Spring

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

There are not enough hours in a day! I break my daily tasks by the hour to accomplish roles such as: email marketing, content strategy, website maintenance, photography, CAD designing and much more. Addition to Vi Ling, I am also a consultant for a jewelry insurance company. With that, it requires a lot of economic research of diamonds, color gemstones, gold and all sectors of the jewelry market. 

NEW! Popular Vi Ling Front to Back style earrings featuring cultured pearls and rough diamonds set in oxidized silver. 

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

At times, the creation process can take longer than expected when a client wants a custom piece giving me the 100% creative freedom. For new clients, it can be challenging to design a piece to their liking or matching their life style. Sometimes clients wants something generic, but I want to put a creative twist to it. Finding that balance can be time consuming and prolongs the process from start to finish of their custom jewelry piece. 

How has your style changed over time?

As I’ve gotten older, my style has changed. I’m not scared of incorporating gemstones into my demi-fine jewelry collection which has also evolved my design style. Crafting jewelry with quality metals, accents of natural gemstones, mean while keeping price conscious is my main objective. Earrings has become my best sellers so I have concentrate in adding to the collection. 

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

My favorite item is the “Front to Back earrings” These earrings can be worn from day to evening and it incorporates all the elements that I follow by in my collections. Modern - Fashion Forward - Classic

Anything new in the works?

Last year I added an in house CAD service for my clients custom creations. This coming month, the addition to one-on-one CAD design services, I will also be providing 3D jewelry mock ups for my clients. This add on service provides extra love and attention to creating their Forever Love Story. 

Is there anything else that you would like to share?

I love Hello Kitty, Pomeranians, llamas, character art of asian culture, harajuku street fashion and anything pink and cute. That is where you will see a bit of my sweet and dainty side in my designs especially for the Lil’ Girls jewelry collection. 

Catch Vi Ling Designs at Jackalope Pasadena on April 27th & 28th, 2024.

Website: www.vilingdesigns.com

Instagram: @vilingdesigns

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

Nathan Eigenfeld of EigenVisison

I currently live in Colorado, but am a avid road warrior. It’s a part of my process, I am on the road 5 months out of the year. Living in the mountains helps me connect with nature and feeds my process. One of my favorite artists is Mark Rothko, known for his outstanding color block images. I’ve tried to channel his style into my photography. 

How do you define success as an artist?

Success for me is making people feel- anything, it doesn’t matter - awe, inspiration, emptiness, loneliness, despair, hope, love - whatever. Color seems to simplify feelings.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

The hardest part for my creation process is the alone time. Many of these images have been created on multi-day backcountry wilderness treks while alone. That’s where I can let myself create the best and let my intuition guide me. Despite it giving me a sense of freedom, overcoming physical challenges alone in the wilderness can be daunting, and yet, it is ultimately rewarding as well.

How has your style changed over time?

My style is always evolving, but I have certainly settled into a minimalist style, emphasizing empty space. It has been fulfilling to have people identify with this.

What’s your favorite image that you’ve created, and why?

One of my favorite images I’ve created is my silhouetted image of Joshua Trees. It was at a time when I was unsure of my process and was struggling to “Be Myself” - which I’ve named the image. I shot it during a brilliant pink sunrise just off the road in Joshua Tree National Park in December of 2021. I absolutely love how the silhouette emphasizes the quirkiness of the trees, all different and disjointed in their own ways - they have no issues being themselves.

And finally, what do you love most about Pasadena?

Having attended Pasadena fair last spring, I fell in love with the energy of the downtown - a destination for such a diversity of people. Californians love their art and are not afraid to buy things on the street! Selling photos of pure wilderness in a city setting is rewarding and can even feel like a sort of ministry to me, reminding people of what’s ‘out there’ beyond the concrete and hustle and bustle. I am looking forward to this Fall’s market!

Catch EigenVision at Jackalope Pasadena on November 18th & 19th!

Website: www.nathaneigenfeld.com

Instagram: @eigenvision

Michaela Vae Walton

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

Hi! I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. Growing up I was surrounded by nature, whether it was our big magnolia tree in our backyard that served as the safe zone in a game of tag or the wide open woods of my grandparents house, knee high grass, trees, and flowers surrounded me.  Nature feels like home and it affects every aspect of my work.  I see my art in nature, the textures, the colors, the movement, how the wind bends and sways the plants.  When creating with flowers I try to embody nature's natural movements and textures.  What I grew up surrounded by is in every aspect of my art.

That sounds like an absolutely beautiful place to grow up. Who are your biggest artistic influences?

My biggest artistic influences are my mom and grandmother, the two of them instilled in me a love of flowers.  They owned their own floral and home décor business called The Town Peddler. Their creativity and way of viewing the world shapes who I am.  Seeing beauty in a weed, how a stick can create movement in an arrangement, how statement flowers should be in odd numbers, and that everything always needs a touch of red.  They are the strongest and bravest people and I owe all that I am to them.

How do you define success as an artist?

I think success is defined by being able to create.  I feel success when I finish an arrangement or when I feel in the groove while creating a wreath.  My idea of success is doing what I love.  When I am in my garage making things with my hands, I feel an immense amount of joy, often skipping into my house yelling, “I’m so happy!” and I really am, that to me is success.

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

My art helps me in every aspect of my life.  I find myself always looking for inspiration, I love seeing plants growing from the concrete, I think the way they grow wild and free anywhere is inspiring, it helps remind me in life that everything will be okay and to always grow wherever you find yourself planted. 

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

People always say practice makes perfect and it's true, the more times I create something the better it gets. I have been creating things with flowers for years and the work is always improving.  I also read a lot, I have many books on flowers, the art of wreaths, flower recipe books etc, and they are filled with techniques and practices that better shape my work.  Also, a lot of hours spent on pinterest, I think it's wonderful to see other people's work and skill, it is inspiring and there is so much to learn from others.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

The hardest part of my creation process is often the final small details, I work with delicate subject matter, dry flowers can break or crumble and it is a material that needs to be handled with care.  It’s the last little details that are often the hardest parts, intricately threading a piece can be tedious and time consuming but it is in those little details that really count.

How has your style changed over time?

My style has definitely become more wild with time, I love a lot of movement in my pieces and the wild bits of palm or curly willow sticking out have become a signature for me.  At first I was focused on how I can cover this wreath form and with time and experience it has become more about how I can make this product look like it's been blown by the wind or about how different textures of flowers accentuate the other.

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

The best thing about being an artist is the joy I have in self expression.  I pour out who I am into every piece I create, everything I make is a little love letter.  It’s the best feeling in the world to be making something with the idea that it will spark joy for someone else.  A little kindness, a smile, a happy tear, I feel all those things in being an artist and it's my life's greatest joy to share it.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

My favorite thing I have ever created is this wreath I made a few years ago for my mom.  I foraged the greenery from her backyard and made it sitting in my parents driveway.  It still hangs in their living room.  I love it because it was early on in my journey of wreath making and it's made from home for the person who inspired it all. It has a peacock feather (which wasn’t foraged!) that represents my mawmaw, and I will always love this little wreath.  It has taken me a few years to get where I am now but this wreath is filled with love and gratitude to my mom.

What do you love most about Burbank?

Burbank is my home. I live here and I love it deeply.  I love that Burbank feels like a small neighborhood in the middle of a big city.  I love that Burbank celebrates small business and community.  My full time profession is an Assistant Director in the film industry so I love that work can sometimes just be a short drive from home.  I love that Burbank was a safe space for my boyfriend and I when we first came to LA (before even officially moving here).  Burbank is truly my happy place, on Magnolia everyday can be Halloween, the mountains make me feel as if I live in the Shire, and some of the greatest stories ever told are made down the street.

 Anything special you’d like to share? 

All of my creations are made with recycled flowers, they start as fresh arrangements and are then dried out in my garage, my vases are recycled cans that I patchwork.  I'm doing my best to make art more sustainable.  I hope that it can bring you a smile, a small bit of joy that feels like home.  My art is intended to make us all check in and ask, how are you bud?

See How are you Bud in person at the Downtown Burbank Arts Festival on June 3rd & 4th!

Instagram: how.are.you.bud

How did Stray Cat Alliance get its start?

Stray Cat Alliance started 21 years ago with one homeless kitten named Chloe. One cat needed care and support in a time when none was easily found. One cat was the catalyst of over 150,000+ lives saved over two decades. Today, we are still going strong and saving more lives than ever before. Every cat we save is a reminder of a time when cats and kittens were overlooked and is a recommitment to our mission of ensuring every cat is safe, healthy, and valued.

Where and how does the rescue get involved when saving a cat? 

Stray Cat Alliance has many programs that focus on lifesaving. One of the most successful programs is Safe at Home. Safe at Home empowers community members to serve as foster care givers, playing an integral part in saving animal lives. At the South Los Angeles shelter, Stray Cat Alliance community engagement counselors intercept people, before kittens and cats are impounded, and mentor and support them as fosters, providing training on all aspects from bottle feeding through adoption. We also supply all food and medical care. This is one of the few programs of its kind in the United States. It shouldn’t be. We would like to expand to as many communities as we can.

That is amazing. What is a typical day like working with the rescue?

Stray Cat Alliance is an incredible lifesaving team, from cat care, through the clinic, to our admin and program staff. Each day is full of hard work, dedication and lots of love that helps us achieve our lifesaving goals. We are very grateful for our donors, supporters, fosters and volunteers, too!

How do you define success as a non-profit?

Success is being able to save a furry life everyday and finding them a forever home.

Yes, love that! Does your work with Stray Cat help you in other areas of your life?

You learn so much about rescue, spay/neuter, cat care and medical care while working at Stray Cat Alliance. It's wonderful to be able to provide this experience, knowledge, and support to friends and family.

What is the hardest part of your job with Stray Cat Alliance?

Refraining from wanting to take home every cat and kitten that we save!

That would be hard! Can you tell us more about the process behind adoption and fostering?

Stray Cat Alliance Adoption Program:

Stray Cat Alliance's adoption program provides foster and forever homes for cats and kittens found on the streets through their Trap / Neuter / Return (TNR) program, impounded at the shelter, or from hotline requests for support when cats are faced with being taken to shelters or abandonment. Many cats from their other programs feed into their adoption program. Each cat and kitten receives veterinary care (spay/neuter, vaccines, testing, check-ups, microchips) until a permanent, loving home is secured.

Stray Cat Alliance Foster Program:

Whether your home is small or large, you live alone or have other animals, we have cats and kittens who need your help and will thrive under your care. We rescue nearly two thousand cats and kittens every year and rely on our fosters to help us care for them until they’re adopted. The more fosters we have, the more lives we can save.

Website page for adopting and fostering with Stray Cat Alliance: https://straycatalliance.org/adopt-and-foster/ 

Do you have a favorite story or moment from the rescue?

We recently rescued the cutest 8 week old kitten who we named John Belushi. He was on IV fluids, antibiotics and in oxygen for sever upper respiratory infection and pneumonia. After several weeks of critical care with our team, our litte fur-angel made a full recovery. He began walking, eating and breathing on his own. We never gave up on believing in little John Belushi. That is our lifesaving mission.

Any additional success stories we can share?

THIS STORY REALLY WARMS OUR PAWS! 💜

A big-hearted ❤️ community member went to the local shelter looking for help and guidance with two kittens that he found.

He had zero kitten supplies and purchased cat food from the closest store in order to put a little food in their bellies.

We told him that we would provide him with supplies and food if he was willing to foster the kittens 😻 until they are adopted, so he wouldn’t have to worry about purchasing supplies.

This is a photo of the community member holding our @CatalystPet donation because it is lightweight, and he was already carrying a few other cat supplies home on the bus. We asked him if the donations were too heavy for him to take, and he said, "He would manage!" What a sweetheart!

He was so grateful for our help and left confident that the kitties would be cared for with our support. We are never not amazed by how resilient and kind our community members can be. They go above and beyond to seek help for the kittens and cats, and we are very grateful to help!

Mellow & Alaska 😻 are available for adoption! Apply to Adopt from Stray Cat Alliance: https://bit.ly/adopt-sm

This is why your generous donations to Stray Cat Alliance are so important. Please consider donating from our Amazon or Chewy wish lists:

Amazon: https://a.co/a3MAeMQ

Chewy: https://bit.ly/3lcKhy6
Donate to our current lifesaving campaign, Kiss a Kitten this Season: https://bit.ly/kissakitten-ig23  

That makes us smile! We can’t wait to see you in person at Jackalope Pasadena!

Where to see more of Stray Cat Alliance:

Website | straycatalliance.org

Instagram | @straycatalliance

Dana and Gary

How did you get your start?
It all started during the pandemic when I took some homemade samples that our parents made for the house to a notary signing appointment for a client whom I was visiting for the second time. I decided to put them in a little ziploc baggy and asked if she wanted some. Originally, she rejected my offer as she's older in her 80s and thought it would be hard for her teeth. When I then offered it to her son who was also present, she decided to try it and loved the honey glazed walnuts and asked how she could buy some for friends and family for the holidays. I told her they weren't for sale and I would have to go home to ask my mother in law if she would make them to sell to people. I went home and told her an older lady wants to buy her nutz. Since a complete stranger enjoyed the product, we decided to continue testing the product (honey glazed walnuts) with friends and family where we got positive feedback so that's when we knew there was something there for a business idea.

Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

Our favorite part of the process is getting to quality control taste the nutz to make sure they are of great quality for our customers.

YUM! Can you tell us what a typical day is like in the studio for you?

Our days can be long as Dem' Nutz takes a detailed process to make. They include us sourcing the best walnuts or pecans first, then we boil our nutz to clean them, then they roast on slow heat for several hours, then they get glazed over the stovetop, then immediately pulled apart so they are in individual pieces, and lastly they get bagged. The entire process is hand made by us.

Love that. What inspires you to create?

Our parents because this is their own recipe for the honey glazed walnuts that we're now sharing with the world. Once we began, we knew we needed other flavors and nutz so we added the honey glazed pecans and spicy honey walnuts. The response we get from the customers when they taste our samples for the first time motivates us to continue making Dem' Nutz as there's nothing out there with the addictively delicious flavor like our nutz.

Do you have a favorite item you have made?

Besides our delicious nutz, we have some merchandise and our favorite item we came up with is the Customized Nut Sac to hold the nutz as a gift set.

Too funny! What will you be bringing to the festival?

We have honey glazed walnuts, honey glazed pecans, spicy honey walnuts, Dem' Nutz t-shirts, Stress Nutz and Customized Nut Sack.

Anything special you would like to add?

Come by our booth for a nut shot and have a great laugh!

We can’t wait to see you in person this May 14th & 15th for the Downtown Burbank Arts Festival!

Where to see more of Dem’Nutz

Website | www.Dem-Nutz.com

Instagram | @omgdemnutz

Do you have a story behind your company name?

Our founders names are Ailing and Marissa, so AM is the combination of the first letter of our names. What’s the most important, we love sunrise, so am always means hopeful, active and optimistic to us, JUST like what we want to bring to our customers with our jewelries.

Love that double meaning. How did you get your start?
After graduating from Academy of Art University’s School of Jewelry & Metal Arts; we worked in different jewelry companies for years, which gave us more valuable experience of jewelry business. We launched our brand in 2018 with wearability at the forefront of our design approach. Using traditional goldsmith techniques, we craft trendy jewelry at an accessible price point.

Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

Of course the creation part! Illustrating our ideas effectively is essential to keeping our design pipeline moving and in keeping the store stocked with new designs :)

I bet it is very satisfying to see it all come to life! What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

The first thing we do is A CUP OF COFFEE lol. Then we starting fulfilling our orders, because we’re very thankful to our customers who support us. Never want them to wait too long for their orders. No matter how busy we are, we always use one hour to work on new designs.

Love that. What inspires you to create?

Anything can inspire us! Movies, books, flowers, animals, the artworks from the artists we like, and even small things that happen during the day can give us inspiration. A notebook is very helpful, so we can write down and illustrate our ideas.

Do you have a favorite item you have made?

This is my favorite item during our latest product. I think the idea of this necklace is so cute. In the front of the necklace, a large freshwater gives one of a kind shine with cute arms hugging it. In the back, there’s a print of the arms. It makes me smile whenever I see it. Gives the wearer a very warm and helpful feeling. I think this is a necklace we need during a pandemic.

What will you be bringing to the festival?

We’ll bring our newest designs to Burbank. Some of them are not even updated on our website! Included is our newest pearl collection, hand printed enamel collection and a lot of cool designs!

We can’t wait to see you in person this May 14th & 15th for the Downtown Burbank Arts Festival!

Where to see more of A.M Jewelry Studio

Website | AMJEWELRYSTUDIO.COM

Instagram | @a.m.jewelrystudio