Whether you are a jetsetter yourself or know a globetrotter in need of the perfect travel gift, we've rounded up some awesome picks for adventure! 

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Coaster Set: Baggage Tags

Cheltenham Road
Price: $20
Share your love of travel with your house guests all while protecting your services from water stains! 

www.etsy.com/shop/CheltenhamRoad

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Jet Black Kiku Foldable Dress

Origamei
Price: $88
When you are traveling, it is important to be a smart packer. And what is more convenient then this foldable dress? How about the fact that it folds back into a clutch! 
 

https://origamei.com/

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Natural Vegetable Tanned Leather Passport Holder with Notepad and Pen

Pigeon Tree Crafting
Price: $135                                     
The perfect travel companion that will last a lifetime. This holder fits a notepad, passport, credit cards, a pen and more. Plus may we add you will look mighty fine whipping out your passport!

  
www.pigeontreecrafting.com

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All Over Body Balm

The Balm Shop & Co. 
Price: $9.50
You may love to travel, but sometimes your skin doesn't. Now you don't have to worry because this twist up tube is perfect for when you are on the go!

https://www.thebalmshopco.com

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Peppered Beef Jerky

Banzai Jerky
Price: $8.00
Need a snack to hold you over while on the go to your next adventure? Do not forget to pack your Banzai Jerky. Easy to pack and take all over the world!

http://banzaijerky.com/

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National Park Map with Checklist

Erin Vaughn Illustration
Price: $20                                           
Keep track of where you have been with this national park poster that includes all 59 national parks. All parks are listed on the bottom with an easy to color in tree so you can show off your travel bug. 

www.etsy.com/shop/ErinVaughan

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Gypsy Goddess Jumpsuit

Bali Prema
Price: $64
A versatile on-the-go outfit to dress up or down along with your accessories. Belt it for a more urban look, or just slip it on with some sandals and head out for a sunny afternoon.

www.etsy.com/shop/BaliPrema

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Backpack

Urbana Sacs
Price: $125                                      This earth friendly backpack makes the perfect carry on and travel companion. Handmade with washable paper fabric it can be washed and reused over and over.  

https://urbanasacs.com

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Don't miss your chance to shop all of our Jackalope Pasadena artisans in person this April!  Click below to add us to your iCal calendar!

Whether it's for your closest girlfriends or your significant other, we all know some women in your lives that could use a little pampering. The Jackalope ladies recommend these gifts to delight the women in your life.

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Lavender Luxury Body Truffle

BonBlissity
Price: $4
A perfect gift for the woman on the go.  Let the Lavender aroma fill you with tranquility as your skin gets a much deserved cleanse with these exfoilating body truffles!

You can even try a demo a Bonblissity's products at their booth during the fair to get a first-hand feeling for how great these are!

www.bonblissity.com

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Love Child Pouch

Lu + Elle
Price: $34
Go from work to date night with this adorable clutch. Or use it to store your makeup in. Have all the essentials easily accessible when you take your next girls trip! 

www.luandelle.com

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Mud & Honey Face Mask

Lenus Handcrafted
Price: $26
Make it a girls night in and pamper your skin! Enjoy the aroma while the raw honey and fruit extracts work to remove make up and dirt all while leaving a healthy glow.

shoplenus.com

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La Mondaine Bralette

Little Pieces
Price: $62
Made from beautiful Japanese corded lace this bralette is made to me seen! Or simply layer it to create a effortesly chic look. 

www.littlepieces.us 

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Peppi Mint Handcrafted Marshmellows

Plush Puffs
Price: $6.49
Need a sweet snack the next time your gang watches This is Us? Make a s'more with these gorgeous peppi-mint marshmallows.  Fair warning, they may be too pretty to eat. 

www.plushpuffs.com

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Lip Kit Selfie Ready Lip Polish and Lipstick

Belle and Beast Organics
Price: $20                                                          Rejuvinate your lips and become selfie ready in seconds with this lip polish and handmade lipstick in either rose gold or black cherry. A perfect gift set for any woman in your life!    

belleNbeastorganics.etsy.com

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Mandala Print Crop Racerback Tank

Blonde Peacock
Price: $24
Want your friend to go with you to your next yoga class? Give her this super soft crop tank and she won't be able to say no!  This tank has a unique story too, with the mandala print actually being a photo taken by the maker.

www.blondepeacock.com

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Cryptozoology (Jackalope) Cling Earring

Nerdy But Still Girly
Price: $14.99
We can't be the only Jackalope lovers to exist! Spread the love with these adorable 2-piece earrings.  

www.nerdybutstillgirly.com

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Don't miss your chance to shop all of our Jackalope Pasadena artisans in person this April!  Click below to add us to your iCal calendar!

We have some wonderful choices for the Foodie in your life, all coming to Jackalope Pasadena this April 28th & 29th.

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Black Walnut and Turquoise Slotted Spatula

Arroyo Seco Woodcraft
Price: $50
Step up your grill game with this gorgeous statement Spatula that has a black walnut handle with a turquoise inlay. You will be the envy of every chef in town, so flip those burgers in confidence! 

https://www.arroyosecowoodcraft.com

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Cracked Black Pepper Vegan Jerky

Unisoy Foods
Price: $6.99
For your vegan pal who loves the taste of jerky but doesn't want to be a jerk to animals in the process.  Made with cracked black and white peppercorns and just a hint of lemon, the Cracked Black Pepper Vegan Jerky is just delicious!

http://unisoyfoods.com 

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Cabernet Soy Candle

Four Points Trading Co
Price: $10                                                      Just made a delicious meal and now you want to kick back and relax? How about doing so while burning this Cabernet Soy Candle! Get lost in the sweet aroma of wild grapes with hints of strawberries and a light alcoholic background that won't leave you hanging in the morning.  

https://fourpointstradingco.com/products/cabernet-4oz-soy-candle

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Specialty balsamic and olive oil gift box

Seven Barrels
Price: $49
Whether grating fresh parmesan and crushed red pepper over linguini al pomodoro, or roasting shallots and apricot preserves over pork tenderloin, these four ingredients all play legendary roles in creating legendary meals. This gift box includes a traditional balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil blend, as well as a sweet basil extra virgin olive oil and a peach balsamic vinegar. 

https://www.7barrels.com/products/gift-box

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Avocado Print

Jungle Paints
Price: $22
This print is everything you Avo-wanted! Get it?! Bring your love of food from the kitchen to the living room with this awesome illustration by Jungle Paints. 

https://www.junglepaints.com/product-page/avocado-limited-edition-print-signed

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Raspberry Habanero Jam

Laura Anns Jams
Price: $9.99
Add some heat to your sweet with this Raspberry Habanero Jam. It's 5 o'clock somewhere so put a nontraditional twist on it and make a smokey spicy raspberry margarita with it! 

https://www.lauraannsjams.com/products/raspberry-habanero

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Handcrafted cutting board

Paddlewood Designs
Price: $125
Good tasting food is just half the battle, you also want to look good while preparing it! Try out this beautiful high quality cutting board and leave all of your dinner guests speech less. 

https://www.facebook.com/paddlewooddesigns/ 

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Maple Breakfast Sausage

Zeigler's Sausages
Price: $9 - $11
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so take your breakfast game up a notch with this delicious maple breakfast sausage. Add some eggs and hashbrowns and you have a great way to start your day! 

http://eatzeiglers.com 

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Don't miss your chance to shop all of our Jackalope Pasadena artisans in person this April!  Click below to add us to your iCal calendar!

On today's blog, we'd like to introduce you to local photographer, Keith Berson.  Keith has been kind enough to share his expertise in product photography to help us with a little "to-do" list for planning your own shoot and has extended an exclusive offer to our Jackalope Community!

Keith Berson

Hey there Jackalope community! I'm honored to be here as a guest blogger. I will tell you though, I am not a blogger or writer at all. I am a professional photographer who loves working with artisans, crafters, and designers. When an entrepreneur approaches me about photography for their product, I often find myself playing the role of a creative guide through the process. When it comes to creating imagery that represents your brand, you probably want various images for different uses. The more you plan your shoot in advance, the more successful it will be! If you have no idea where to start, then hopefully you will find this helpful.

WHAT KIND OF SHOOT ARE YOU PLANNING?

A great way to get started is by making a "shot list" of all the photos you want to create. This will help you figure out the size or scope of your shoot. Highly stylized images might be used for marketing via social media, on a booth sign, or on your website banners. It may be a still life of your product with other props, or an actual person interacting with the product.  These types of images are meant to be narrative, and will help you connect with your demographic. You may also need basic product photos to be used for online stores, etsy shops, or to apply to sell in craft fairs. These shots are meant to show what the product looks like up close, without other objects to distract from your product. Often each product will need several angles, or extra detail shots to fully describe it.

If this seems like too much to take on all at once, the best thing to do is to figure out what your top priority is.  Once you have that first shoot day under your belt, you will be able to easily plan your next steps. Each shoot comes with its own set of preparations and decisions that need to be made, and after each shoot experience, you'll be more ready for the next one!

PLANNING THE SHOOT

Let's dive right in and say you have a group of products that you sell online and at craft fairs, and you need a group of images that show each of your individual products in a way that cleanly and consistently represents your brand. You might also need some group shots to show multiple items together, which would help convey your aesthetic. The simple and traditional way to handle this would be to shoot everything on a white backdrop. However, that doesn't mean you can't be a bit creative with simple product photography. It's perfectly fine to choose a colored or textured background that compliments your product or branding. Some examples of this could be a table top, patterned fabric backdrop, or organic elements. This shoot should be done in controlled lighting to be sure it will remain consistent, and can be repeated should you add more products.

If you already have basic product photos, maybe what you really need is more stylized images for your website and social media. Grabbing people's attention online is often half the battle! If you're planning a still life or flatlay shoot, you will need to think about location, sourcing props and styling each set up. If you want to reach a specific demographic, you may decide that you need to have people interact with your product in the photos. Now you have to think about casting, wardrobe, hair & makeup, location, and possibly permits to shoot. Every product comes with its own unique challenges, but there are plenty of ways to make your product look desirable to potential shoppers.
 

MAKING IT HAPPEN

Photos are an essential part of your business, and the more preparation you do beforehand, the easier your shoot will be! Plan a prep day before the shoot to get everything organized. Double check you have all the products ready and safely packed for shoot day. Look very carefully at all your product to make sure it is photo ready, meaning it's the best example of what you have to offer. No crooked labels, scuffs, or scratches. Go though all your props and organize them as well by shot so nothing gets forgotten. Most importantly, find experienced team members that can be an extension of your creativity, and help actualize your vision. 

• Communicate with your photographer (and stylist if you hired one) so your goals are clear. 
• Give photo examples of other brands that are doing something similar to what you want to create. 
• Don't try to take on more than you can handle in one day. You don't want to be distracted by missing products or props, cleaning or prepping product, giving directions to lost team members, figuring out lunch or coffee, or any other unforeseen occurrence. 

If you think through your needs ahead of time, then on shoot day, you and your photographer can be focused on the creative side of things. Remember that photos are the #1 way to show people your brand!

More About Keith Berson Photography

Keith is always available to give free consultations to anyone planning a photoshoot. Sometimes you just need someone to ask you the right questions to get you going in the right direction.

In addition, Keith will be offering special pricing to the Jackalope community! Anyone who books and completes a shoot before the Spring Pasadena 2018 Jackalope Artisan Fair (coming up on April 28th & 29th) will receive a 25% price reduction on photography services, just mention Jackalope when booking!

Contact Keith for more info:
805.698.6707 | studio@keithberson.com

www.KeithBerson.com
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At each Jackalope Denver event we select a nonprofit as our event beneficiary who betters the community and inspires us to do more.  Zane Beadles Parade Foundation does just that, and this Spring we are very excited to work with ZBPF, learn more about them below and come show your support on May 19th & 20th! 

1. When was Zane Beadles Parade Foundation founded and why? In 2013, Zane Beadles – former Denver Bronco currently playing for the San Francisco 49ers – established the Zane Beadles Parade Foundation (ZBPF).  ZBPF is a non-profit organization focused on providing experiences to distract our pint-sized warriors from their daily treatments. Studies indicate the experiences patients receive outside of the hospital is just as important as the treatment they receive in the hospital and positive experiences can improve a patient’s quality of life, stress level and recovery.  In 2017 through our Greatest Gift program ZBPF has sent over 50 families in SF and Denver to cheer on the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers, helped deliver 30 Bags of Fun with the Gabby Krause Foundation, hosted 4 pancake breakfasts and built a new Sports Court at Brent's Place, sponsored a Holiday Extravaganza at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children for 50 families, and the Winterfest at Cherry Creek North! 

Zane Beadles with the Denver Broncos

2. How did the name come about? While Zane was playing for the Denver Broncos the offensive line chose spirit animals.  The elephant was selected for Zane because of his size, he offers protection, strength, power, stability and wisdom.  Elephants offer good luck on a long hard journey and strength to make it through.  The elephant was selected to represent the foundation as the Zane Beadles Parade Foundation.  Zane believes life is about the journey not the destination and is dedicated to making the journey better for others.

3. What makes ZBPF so unique and special? The foundation is a start up and Denver is the home of our Foundation.  ZBPF is special and unique because even though we were started in Denver, we continue to make an impact in Salt Lake City, UT where Zane played for the University of Utah, in Jacksonville Florida where Zane played for the Jaguars, and currently in the bay area as he plays for the SF 49ers. We are committed to collaboration, and partner with organizations to ensure a level of dignity and financial respite so that our partner’s can continue to offer all of their services to our families at no cost.  Frequently totaling more than $1 million per child, the expenses associated with oncology care are devastating to a families financial wellbeing.  Many families have been impoverished by their child’s disease; often a parent must stop working to care for their child.  The average income of our families is $50k – that is if both parents are able to keep their jobs.  The families we serve require a minimum stay in the hospital of 120 days and incur more than $10k in expenses.  ZBPF’s goal is to raise funds to assist the families with their expenses as well as provide programming opportunities and experiences they would not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy!

4. Why are you excited to partner with Jackalope this Spring? Because the festival is also a start up started by 2 hip, fun girls with a strong desire to give back to the community! Our values strongly align and we admire the fact Jackalope gives artists a chance to make a difference.  Also, our families love art and it is used as a form of therapy for them.  This will give ZBPF a chance to increase our exposure in the community as well as collect much needed art supplies to put in the newly established Zane's Zone-these Zones will be no procedure zones and allow the kids to just be kids!  The Zone will also have an adult area in order to provide a place for them to work and spend more time at the hospital with their children.

5. Where can we learn more about ZBPF and how can we help? On our new website at www.zanesparade.org.  You can help us spread the word about all the wonderful work we are doing in Denver, Salt Lake City and San Francisco!

This Spring Jackalope Pasadena decided to welcome Brighter Future Charity as our event beneficiary! Although the fair is as always free to attend, we want to encourage donations to Brighter Future and the families they help. Learn more about them below why we want to help out!

1. When was Brighter Future Charities Founded? Brighter Future was founded in 2013

2. Why did Brighter Future start? BFC was founded as a result of our founder, Mila Larios, noticing a sincere lack of inclusive support programs for families affected by autism. After one of her good friend's children was diagnosed with autism, Mila set out to create a support program to help others affected and bring about awareness in the surrounding communities. 

3. What makes Brighter Future so unique and special? One of the main things that makes BFC so unique is our focus on connecting our students with the community. So often you hear stories in the news of individuals with developmental issues only when speaking of motive or crime. BFC works to give a real face to the story of autism and help communities understand how to support those with autism. Not only that, but we work to showcase and support our autistic artists, who teach workshops and sell art at events to raise money for autism. 

4. Why are you excited to partner with Jackalope this Spring? We are excited to partner with Jackalope in the Spring after having such an amazing fair with you last fall. Our artists got so much out of seeing all the different ways in which they could turn their passion for art into a vehicle towards independence. Not only that, but our group could not get enough of the amazing activities offered to Jackalope patrons.  

BFC artists making Pinch Pots at Jackalope Pasadena with Cobalt and Clay!

5. Where can we learn more about Brighter Future and how can we help? For more information please visit our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/brighterfuturecharity/ or on our website at www.brighterfuturecharity.org

1. How did you get your start in the handmade community?  I’ve been drawn to creating and promoting handmade creations from a young age. When I was younger, I’d go to work with my mom who was a graphic designer and worked in an office full of women owned businesses. There I’d sit under her desk and draw…sometimes on the walls… and make things from everyday objects. I was incredibly fortunate that the designers, architects, and other professional women in the office would buy my colored paperclips and eraser sculptures and show me what it was like to support each other and the joy of having someone want something made by hand. This feeling of community around creation was present through my college experience where I studied theatre – the art of creating what you need because there’s never enough in the budget to “just go buy it.” I also started working for an American craft artist/ gallery at that time and fell in love with the idea of art being accessible for anyone.

2. What/Who is your biggest inspiration? My biggest inspiration is my mom,  Ann, who is the other half of Period Six Studio. She always taught me that people, no matter how different, have shared experiences and their stories are worth listening to and retelling. 

3. Tell us a few favorites of yours (animal, tv show, weekend activity, food etc)? A few of my favorite things… polka dots, rusty things, my dog Malcolm and husband Toby, Gilmore Girls, Broadway musicals, and a beer & chocolate combo to top off a day of bump skiing.

4. What do you love most about the handmade movement?  My favorite part of the handmade movement is seeing how people who where displaced from jobs in the recession or found that there were no jobs for them out of college have carved out places for themselves. By taking nontraditional career paths they’ve had to build upon what lights them up. I feel privileged watching aritsts grow and change and feel honored when they trust us to tell their stories.

5. What is the most important feature in an artists application for you? For me the work itself is the most important feature. The joy, thoughtfulness and attention to detail is all reflected in the work itself. That being said, make sure there’s good pictures to represent it in the best light.

6. What are you looking forward to the most in joining the jury panel with Jackalope? I am excited to join the jury panel to meet other people who share my passion of the handmade and to see the scope of what people are creating!

Q: Tell us a little about yourself & your background in the arts & crafts world
A:December 1997 I was hired as extra Christmas Help at Handmade Galleries in Sherman Oaks... Handmade Galleries was a 5,000 sq ft retail space, where artists would rent space from us and we would be there to sell their wares. I immediately fell in love with the business. Fast forward 10 years later, managing the store, in charge of renting the spaces to artists and working on store promotion and having a space of my own, reselling vintage clothing and odd ends. (I have vintage resale/flea market experience, before Handmade). 

Q: What / who is your biggest inspiration?
A: My biggest inspiration? That's a tough one, I feel inspired daily by all the artists I work with. I've always had an eye... I would have to say my Mom! She's an amazing artist and has such an inspiring outlook on life. She's always saying... it's in "The Details" and that has kind of stuck with me.

Q: Tell us about a few favorites of yours: 
I've been working with Mark Brunner for 8 years, we met right after we open our Burbank store. I love his color sense and simplicity of subject matter. I like accessibility.

Reza Kassai is another artist I'm obsessed with. Again strong colors, his crazy girls are brilliant. I have so many favorites. If you've ever been in one of our shops... We really cover so many areas. Art, Jewelry, Ceramics I could go on and on. 

Q: What do you love most about the handmade movement?
A:The Handmade movement is so important. I love a community. I grew up in the 70's and have lived in communal settings. Creativity was always around. To this day nothing makes me feel more alive than connecting with community. The world is changing and with the disconnect, connecting has never been more important. 

Q: What is the most important feature in an artist's application for you? 
A: What I would be looking for... first something I've never seen before, originality. Interesting use of materials. I always like "eco friendly" items. My artistic style tends to be more on the wild side. I'm drawn to edgy works. But have been moved by color alone. I have a very organic process, I just know what interest me when I see it.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in being a part of the Jackalope Arts jury?  
A: I'm looking forward to expanding my horizon and hopefully helping to expand yours too... I love discovery! 

Q: Where can we find out more about you?
A: Find out more about me... WWW.MINDFULNEST.COM

How did you get your start in the handmade community? 

I started a jewelry business called Wasabi back in 1992. I had always loved Jewelry and took classes in high school and college. I wanted to have my own business from an early age and loved fashion. After working in Retail and manufacturing I took a leap. With the support of my new husband and sister, I took some jewelry making classes and started Wasabi as a fashion freshwater pearl line. I continue to work with a few stores but focus on representing handmade artists at Hömage now. 

What/Who is your biggest inspiration? 

My mom! She would be considered a stay at home mother, but she was a creative go-getter and super active.  She always had us doing some kind of project in Campfire Girls or for fun and was a part of the crafting community where she always killed it at boutiques! She also inspired me to give back through volunteering and was named Woman of the Year by our local newspaper! 

Tell us a few favorites of yours (animal, tv show, weekend activity, food etc)?

Totally a cat person. Meow! Love Project Runway’s incredible creativity, plus I can also relate to the pressure because of my jewelry business where “one day you’re in and the next day you’re out." It’s so important to stay innovative! 

What do you love most about the handmade movement?

Personal connection, in life, is one of the most important things to our well-being. Being able to work with people who are so passionate about what they do and communicate that to our customers, in person, gives us a chance to have an impact on the public. The ability and value in touching and feeling handmade products reminds us that we are human and connected in some way. Slow Shopping, instead of internet shopping, is like Slow Coffee. It’s so much more satisfying!

What is the most important feature in an artists application for you?

Originality, quality and a well rounded presentation. 

What are you looking forward to the most in joining the jury panel with Jackalope?

The opportunity to influence the market choices and to provide feedback to emerging artists, if that is possible. 

How would you describe your style?  
I would say my style is classic,  timeless,  and rocker chic. 

Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to? 
There are too many amazingly talented and inspiring Professionals to mention all that have had influence on me.  But,  here is a list of the ones who consistently hit a chord in chorus with my messaging and design aesthetic in no particular order: Vivienne Westwood,  Betsey Johnson,  Lee Alexander McQueen,  Ralph Lauren

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own? 
I have always had a great sense of style,  pattern,  and color story in regards to design.  My intention to be zero waste in design and production whenever/ wherever I can puts a unique fingerprint on Equillibrium designs and products...  from its story of inspiration to pattern design,  materials selection,  and production.  My background in Environmental Health,  Hazardous Waste Management,  and Green Building lends a lot to my design process and Executive decisions regarding my Company as a sustainable street brand.  Equillibrium is a brand to believe in,  trust,  and wear proudly for what is represents.

What sort of things inspire you?  
I'd say as a designer,  inspiration always comes from a feeling I am trying to express.  I commonly use messaging as print inspirations,  provoked by issues to grow awareness towards,  esp. with regards to sustainability. 

Where do you look for inspiration? 
Sources where I find inspiration vary,  but most commonly are:  All of nature,  music I love, the lifestyle I live and love,  my Heritage,  cultures I love,  animals I love,  science,  fashion I love...  things I love inspire me.

What is your creative process like?  
Starts with notes, as reference for concept...  then it is playing the vision to envoke the feeling and refine the concept to silhouette and color story,  to a soundtrack on the runway.  As my line is developed,  it is split into looks that are couture for retail/  custom orders and looks that are ready to wear for wholesale.  
 

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?  I will have to quote Jane Hamill of Fashion Brain Academy,  "done is better than perfect".  As a cursed perfectionist creative Virgo,  this saying has helped me move forward in moments of paralysis.  It can apply to anything.  Whenever I feel stuck,  I literally hear that and get on with it.

Where can we learn more about you? 
 www.equillibrium.com