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

We are from Eaton, CO. Being Colorado native has always been a source of pride in our work providing handmade artisan Hip Bag purses. We feel Colorado provides a quality of life like no other which offers daily inspiration and creativity. 

The Original Hip Bag!

Totally Agree! We feel so at peace whenever we get to work in Colorado. Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?
As we mentioned above, Colorado is a big influence for creativity and outdoor activities. Plus, our love of motorcycle / horse riding. Hip Bags provide a stylish solution for a common issue ie. the discomfort and impracticality of traditional crossbody purses.

What is the hardest part of your creation process? 
Honestly, making each Hip Bag individually beautiful. Keeping a fresh creative slate is our daily challenge. 

I can totally see that - what’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?
My favorite item is my first Hip Bag that I made.  And, still wear to this day. It is so rewarding to see what I created become more beautiful with age. Our leather mosaics and their developed patina tell a story or their own. 

I love the idea of growing into a different love for your bag as it ages. What do you love most about Arvada or Colorado in general?
I have also live in Arvada for years. There are numerous things that I love about both Arvada & CO. To summarize the beauty and outdoors provide a unique community and events like...Jackelope Arts!
Awwww - the community in Colorado is one of our favorites too! What is a fun fact about yourself that others may not expect? 
Fun things about me are I love concerts, dogs and tiny homes. Costa Rica is my second home.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 
On the beach in Costa Rica with an umbrella drink on ice.
You have the day off, what do you do? 
I'll find out in 5 years ;-). No, seriously, riding, spending time at the lake or in the mountains with family. 
HA the life of being a small business owner! Anything special you’d like to share? 
Everyday is a blessing that I get to work with my mom and family in our small manufacturing company in Colorado. 

Catch Hip Bag Co. at Jackalope Arvada on October 4th & 5th, 2025

Website: www.hipbagco.com

Instagram: @hipbagco

Nina Breuer | Artisan Jeweler & Designer 

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

I am Fort Collins CO based Artisan Jeweler and Metalsmith. I’ve lived in Colorado now for over 20 years, but I’m what you would call a “Oil Brat”. Like a military kid but my Dad worked in Oil & Gas, so we were fortunate to have lived and traveled to so many different parts of the world. 

But when it was time to find a place to lay roots, my Dad who had been working in the Northern Colorado area decided this is where we would call home. 

You can see so many references to my South Asian heritage, travels and my love for Colorado in my pieces.

I’m most recognized for my Red Rocks, Rocky Mountain National Park & Colorado Wild Flowers collections, each piece is a celebration of all the beauty around us. 

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?
Every one of my pieces has a story or thought behind it. Nature, art, music and travel have been huge influences in my life. Once I have an idea I like to sketch it first and then make a note as to what inspired the design. 

One of my favorite pieces to make are Earrings from my Alhambra Collection, influenced by Spanish tiles found in the Alhambra Palace. I had taken detailed pictures of the different tiles used throughout the palace on a trip to Spain during my gap year. I found the photos in an old album and saw so many inspiring designs and patterns. I decided to sketch out some ideas and used hand cut tile shaped organic metal to hand stamp the design. The design has to stamped perfectly, by hand without bending the metal. They are some of my most time consuming pieces but truly one of my favorites to make.

What is the hardest part of your creation process? 
Work /Life creative balance.. Finding the time to focus on the creative side and then also being able to take some time to focus on my family. 

When Market season is in full swing which for me is September-December being a jeweler, it’s pretty much make and sell. And every weekend is busy, I love doing craft shows, markets and connecting with my clients. I just don’t get much time to be creative and have to wait till January to try out new designs. And I’ve been trying to have a better work/ home schedule during the week so I can be present for my family. I absolutely love to create and keep going, so I’ve had to remind myself it’s ok to take breaks. 

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?
I have so many favorites and every one of my designs has a story behind it.  And when I recreate that item it brings back all the memories and feeling put into the making of that piece. One of my favorites to create are my Zen Necklaces a.k.a Anti-Anxiety Bowl necklaces.

It was created in 2018 for a friend dealing with anxiety and stress who needed a fidget necklace. The design features a hammered bowl pendant. It can be used to self-soothe by tracing the rim or rubbing the textured interior. Made with organic, non-toxic materials, the necklace can be worn at all times.

What do you love most about Colorado in general?
Beyond the natural beauty, Colorado boasts a rich cultural diversity. And being able to access a city or the mountains within a 40-minute drive offers a great balance. 

In university towns like Fort Collins, you encounter people from all over the world, exposing you to various languages and cultures and providing unique experiences of Colorado alongside them. 

We also have a strong artistic community, with many people supporting and appreciating the creativity that local artisans pour into their work. 

What is a fun fact about yourself that others may not expect? 
I speak 5 languages, English is my primary language but I also speak Urdu, Hindi, Pashto & Hindko. I can also read Arabic, but don’t speak it. With so much diversity here in Colorado, it’s fun to meet folks from all over the world at Artisan Markets and speak with them in a different language. It helps you connect with them on a personal level and makes the world feel so much smaller. 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 
Hopefully still creating and evolving! I absolutely love what I do and hope to keep creating handmade and hypoallergenic life long pieces. And I’d love to travel more, as my kids get older I’m hoping to take them to places I went as a child to experience it with them. 

You have the day off, what do you do? 
Spend time with my Boys & Hubby. I have a 13 yr old and two 10 year olds so we try to go for as many bike rides, walks and visit the park when the weather is nice. And then we also enjoy time at home watching movies or playing board games. My days off my goal is to spend quality time with my family. 

Anything special you’d like to share? 
When I started Harmony Bazaar I wanted to do two things, create a brand that was truly inclusive to everyone. From offering different size options, materials to suit your needs of every age, and high quality pieces that were created one at a time, affordable but lasted a lifetime. 

And 2nd was to give back to my community. This is my 6th year of making jewelry and since day one I have given 10% of my sales to Local Food Banks, No kid Hungry & Feeding America. 

Catch Harmony Bazaar at Jackalope Arvada on October 4th & 5th, 2025

Website: www.theharmonybazaar.com

Instagram: @theharmonybazaar

Sona Parian

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  I'm a native born Armenian who has always loved the wild beauty of the Caucasus and nature as a whole. Though I have grown up in urban LA, my [day]dreams of the rural cottage core life enveloped by the wilderness have remained steadfast in my vision of my future. This vision of the soft, quiet life full of adorable farm animals, loving pets, stuffies, and handmade goods, along with the societal pause of covids stay at home order, collided with what is now Lucifer's Hookery.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences? I pull inspiration from all aspects of my life, real and imagined; from trips to my favorite National Parks, to my weekly visit at the nursery (proud plant mom here), to the daily strolls around my neighborhood, and even the dreams I jot down as soon as I wake up.

My local nursery will get me every time! What would you say is the hardest part of your creation process? Stepping out of my comfort zone when it comes to yarn colors and styles has always been a challenge I continue to work on to add more variety and whimsy to my creations. 

What is your favorite piece that you have created and why? This is a tough one! I would have to say my mini Fall stuffies are my favorite. They have so much character for such cute little gals. It's difficult not to love them. 

What do you love most about Pasadena or California in general? Pasadena has been like my home away from home; from my culinary school days to the diverse dining and nightlife, Pasadena is one of my favorite cities in LA. 

Culinary School?! I must know more! What is a fun fact about yourself that others may not expect?   I'm a great storyteller. I'm dramatic, funny, and very sarcastic, which, as you can tell from this Q&A, makes me wonderful company. 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?  Living my perfect cottage core life in a Hallmark town that has four seasons, surrounded by all my stuffies and highland cows, and of course, my favorite people too. 

Okay so… clearly everyone’s dream life includes highland cows, because I am totally with you! You have the day off, what do you do?  My perfect day off would include adventures, shopping, and delicious food with people who bring me joy. 

Anything special that you would like to share?  Stop by Lucifer's Hookery to see my newest creations! I promise you'll love them! (No money back guarantee)

We can’t wait to see what you’ll be bringing this fall!

Find Lucifer’s Hookery at Pasadena ARTWalk on September 20th & 21st.

Website: https://lucifershookery.etsy.com/

Instagram: @lucifershookery

Melissa Velia

Where are you from and does that affect your work? I was born and raised in LA County. Growing up in LA surrounded by all this history in culture, fashion and film has inspired my work in different ways. From vintage inspired pieces to Mexican art prints.

I can totally see that. Who/what are your biggest artistic influences? I wouldn’t say I have a particular artistic influence but I could say my work is influenced but different decades in fashion and art. From the 1920’s to the 1980’s

That is so evident & it’s why we’re obsessed! What would you say is the hardest part of your creation process? Getting it wrong. Lol. When I envision something in my head, draw it out, make the sample and it doesn’t come out right, ugh. I feel like a wasted good, fabric, trim, etc. I will then continue to make the same thing over and over until it comes out how I imagined it.

What is your favorite piece that you have created and why? That’s a tough one! I would have to say my shoes clips. I wear those more than anything. I am all about comfort these days. So when I find a perfect comfy shoe or heel, I just slap on any of the many shoe clips we carry to complete my outfit of the day.

They bring such a cool element to every fit. What do you love most about Pasadena or California in general? As you might have picked up on by now, I am a history junkie. I love all the old architecture in Pasadena. There’s so much culture and history to explore and take in.

What is a fun fact about yourself that others may not expect?   I hoard books. Some might call it having a library, my family calls it hoarding. Lol. I have books from the 1800s, children’s books, band books, fashion, biographies, you name it. Send me to a book store/ fair and I will be there all day. 

Okay well… you gotta reveal your collection now. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?  Growing! Growing my brand and myself. I have entered a new chapter in my life. Since I sent both my boys of college, I’m ready to hit the floor running with my company and find the parts of me that need a little watering too.

You have the day off, what do you do?  On my day off, I would love to go to a museum or the movies, then go out to dinner at a small restaurant and end the night early with a book, a cocktail and my pjs.

Anything special that you would like to share? I have so many new things coming this Fall to my brand and one of them has been top secret for a bit and that is….I am bringing clothing back to my brand. Its been some years since I’ve carried clothes because my accessories had kept me busy but this Fall we will have one of a kind pieces sprinkled into our collection.

That’s a great sneak peak! We can’t wait to see what you’ll be bringing this fall!

Find Melissa Velia at Pasadena ARTWalk on September 20th & 21st.

Website: https://www.melissavelia.store/

Instagram: @melissavelia

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

Originally in the deep south, beneath the poverty line; I've relocated to Los Angeles in 2017. My roots ingrained in me my work ethic, and the know how to get extremely creative with very, very little. Being in LA, being surrounded by so many diverse perspectives and creative people has inspired me immensely. When people are allowed to settle their roots in land where they can live as authentically themselves as possible, beautiful things can bloom.

Love that. Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

My style fluctuates across materials and crafts, I would say my largest influences are my own audience and current events. Largely, right now I want to do what I can to lift spirits and voices that need to be heard. I love telling stories, so by extension I love reading, I could point to narratives across a spectrum from Kentaro Miura to Tamsyn Muir as inspirational. I equally adore deep think pieces and brightly colored graphic novels; I truly believe there fewer limits around what stories different media can tell than some may think.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Right now, by far, it is having extremely limited resources. I am in the extremely fortunate position of being able to focus on art full time, at the unfortunate cost of this being the result of an incredibly sudden job loss in February of this year. I have no end of ideas, but there are only so many hours and only so far one can stretch a yard. 

Moth Wing Jacket

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

I may be biased based off of the fact I just finished it yesterday, but this moth wing jacket has my heart at the moment

It is so beautiful! What do you love most about Minneapolis or Minnesota in general?

So, I have travelled already more in my life than I ever expected to be able to, and I have still not ever made it out to Minneapolis nor Minnesota. This trip will be my very first impression, and I am excited to explore the city.

Fun! What is a fun fact about yourself that others may not expect? 

I am a rather avid LARPer (not boffer, I do not have the stamina and wherewithal for that) if you ask me about it, I will happily talk your ear off about it. Yes, I promise there is a game you'd enjoy, yes you the person reading this thinking no. I remain a firm believer adults deserve more whimsy and opportunity to fully engage their imaginations. 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 

If I can strike some incredible luck, and work extremely hard, I would love to see myself successful enough to have brought on one or two people to help me. This festival is my first venture into pursuing art full time, so you can bet I'm working hard to try to bring you all things you will enjoy; to try to earn my way into momentum towards future festivals.

You have the day off, what do you do? 

Oh...absolutely cuddle my three (cat) children. They wouldn't let me leave even if I wanted to; if you visit my booth I will absolutely show you pictures of them for free because everyone deserves to enjoy them.

Anything special you’d like to share? 

 I am currently fundraising for this event, and would appreciate any support:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-nolan-trans-artists-journey

Find Just A Little Guy at the Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival on August 9th & 10th.

Mal owner of Northwind Supply

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

I am from the east coast (Maryland), so I have that east coast hustle! I get into a groove and sometimes need to remind myself to pause and smell the roses.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

There are so many amazing artists out there! I gotta say Portland Leather makes some really lovely bags, it is fun to see what they create.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

The best and hardest part of our creative process is the same - personalization! I love making each piece totally unique, but with that comes the necessity of being very detail oriented and getting it just right! Lots of love and attention there!

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

Geez, that is tough! We have created some really beautiful pieces, but our loop keychain really gets a lot of love and it is easy to see why! Such a nice, sweet, thoughtful gift!

Love it. What do you love most about Minneapolis or Minnesota in general?

Oh boy, there are so many things I LOVE about Minneapolis. It is a beauty, green city and our people are beautifully kind. It is an honor to call this city our home!

What is a fun fact about yourself that others may not expect? 

I lived in Mexico for 5 years, living the dream in the Caribbean in my early 20's.

Oh fun! Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 

As I am building connection with our Minneapolis community, I hope to see Northwind whisked away into the surrounding states. I love our mission focused on sustainability and know that this is important to others too, now more than ever!

You have the day off, what do you do? 

Nature! I love a slow morning in the screened in porch listening to the birds. From there, give me sunshine, a paddleboard, a pretty walk in the woods, please!

Anything special you’d like to share? 

There will always be enough sunshine for all of us, it has been a pleasure connecting and supporting other local businesses and our community. May this shared vision continue, thank you!

Find Northwind Supply at the Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival on August 9th & 10th.

Website: Northwindsupply.com

Instagram: @Northwindsupply

Jackie, owner of Kabouter Creative

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?  
I am from Saint Paul, MN and have always lived in the Twin Cities. When I first started this business it took me a while to find my footing and to find what would make me stand out in the crowd. The key to my success ended up being Minnesota themed patches, I started with 6 and the collection has just grown and grown from there. I love where I'm from and believe that it shows in my work.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?
For the Minnesota patches specifically I'm always starting with a landmark or famously "Minnesotan" thing and then playing with it to add another layer to the design whether that be a pop culture reference or some of our more well know phrases like "You Betcha" or "Uff Da"

What is the hardest part of your creation process?
I often joke that I am too creative for my own good. Whether that is just being really ambitious with the scale or complexity of a project or just having endless ideas and only a tiny amount of time and two hands to make them happen.

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

This is a tough one!!! For the Minnesota designs, I'd have to say Hot (dish) To Go is my favorite. I had been wanting to do a hot dish for a while and when Chappell Roan's Hot to Go hit, so did the inspiration for the patch! The design is just so fun and came out even better than I imagined, tater tot-esque font and all.

Love that, very clever! What do you love most about living in Minnesota?

I just love the energy here, we are home to so many amazing artists and the kindest people. I cannot think of another place I'd ever want to live. 

What is a fun fact about yourself that others may not expect? 
Once upon a time, I went to culinary school- it was an amazing experience but not the right career path for me in the end.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 
I would love to be doing Kabouter Creative full time, but more than anything I just hope that I'm still creating things and making things I love.

Tell us, you have the day off, what do you do? 
Probably start an overly ambitious project or cruise some thrift stores in search of trinkets and treasures.

Find Kabouter Creative at the Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival on August 9th & 10th.

Website: https://www.kaboutercreative.com

Instagram: @kaboutercreative

Amber with Sparklez Slimez

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences? My biggest artistic influences are things in nature like sunsets, the ocean, and flowers. I like finding beauty in the everyday things in life. It inspires me to try to make pretty things that give me a sense of joy and calm. 

What would you say is the hardest part of your creation process? Staying tidy! I have so much going on all the time with different projects that it’s hard to keep my space organized and that can stress me out. I try to pack everything up after I’m done for the day, but I never really feel done! 

Rings

A clean space is also high on our list! Do you have a favorite item that you have created? I love the little cork tops for the small jars I use for my slime station. I’ve been decorating the tops with different themes for holidays, sleepy time dreamland, gemstone garden, etc.  Every time I make one I think it’s my favorite, until the next creation. It’s a little something extra that adds some cuteness to the day and I love when people notice the details I put into every part of my work. 

What do you love most about Burbank? I love the people and community in Burbank. I regularly do the Downtown Burbank Cultural Market every weekend and I love the interactions and laughs I have with everybody that comes by. There’s so much fun stuff to do and explore around every corner. I love being able to be a part of that fun. 

What is a fun fact about yourself that others may not expect?   I’m a licensed attorney and obviously have veered off that path. I love the education and knowledge I have received and the law degree still comes in handy but being able to work with my hands and create is what makes me happiest, and that’s what I wanted to follow. 

Love that! Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 5 years I see myself happy and fulfilled because those are the intentions I have set for myself. I have no idea what that will look like, and that’s ok. 

You have the day off, what do you do?  Dog beach with my three rescue pups is probably one of my favorite things to do. I love seeing my boys so happy running freely at the beach. Sharing the experience with friends and their dogs while sharing laughs and food is the best. 

Anything special you would like to add? I’d like to give a huge thank you to Jackalope because without them my slime business wouldn’t exist! I was doing an ASMR soap booth for the festival one year when I offered to do a slime workshop. They asked if I could do that as part of the booth and Sparklez Slimez was born! Their events will always hold a special place in my heart and it’s one of my favorites of all the events I do throughout the year! 

We love that so much! Find Sparklez Slimez at the Downtown Burbank Arts Festival on May 31st & June 1st where she will once again be offering her awesome slime station!

Website: www.sparklezslimez.com

Instagram: @sparklezslimez_

Theresa from Minkara

Where are you from and does that affect your work? I’d say I belong to a lot of places as I have traveled a lot and I have lived in many different locations (Madrid, Naples, Rome, Canada, Australia, and several spots in the USA…) but if you ask where I was born, I was born and raised in Madrid, Spain.

Having been to so many countries has made me seen the world around me with open eyes, definitely affecting my work by taking mental notes of all the landscapes, nature, cultures, textures, colors .. and mixing all that into eclectic collections that are inspired by all the things I lived and saw in each of those beautiful locations

That is so cool! Who/what are your biggest artistic influences? Nature plays a big part in my inspiration process but also the places I've been to and all the elements I encountered while traveling: Textures, colors, shapes, materials and people. 

On another hand, I have always been into botany and plants ( as a pharmacist I guess that's unavoidable! ) and when I first saw my Australian teacher John, a royal artist, sculptor and master opal Jeweler, I soon wanted to learn his technique so he taught me how to turn organic materials into living jewelry pieces (amongst other things). John travelled the world in search for stones, pearls and all kinds of materials that he then incorporated into these designs. He was one of my biggest inspirations as well; thanks to him I quickly found my passion in metal smithing, as this allowed me to use the chemistry involved in the process to combine the beauty of different elements and natural materials in my designs.

Metalized Leaves

What would you say is the hardest part of your creation process? Sometimes I have an idea to make a piece of jewelry, but the material does not allow making it because it would be too fragile or not suitable to wear it comfortably. This happens a lot with those pieces inspired directly by nature, when I try to cast a tiny lichen into a necklace, for example, and it does not work.. or a tiny something. However when it works it’s a reason to celebrate because the piece becomes so special. I remember last year when I succeeded electroforming a sea cucumber and a cicada into a pendant and a pin respectively, of course they had to find that special person to take them home, but when they did, it was amazing to share the story of the making with the customer and sharing how unique that piece they took home was.

Another challenging part is the tech part of running a business… the social media slavery!

Rings

Haha we agree on that! What is your favorite piece that you have created and why? Lately I am loving more than anything else the 18K gold salt and pepper diamond rings and the contour rings that I created for them. It was lot's of fun to make those waxes and trouble shoot the unusual shapes of the stones. And I love thinking that I was able to create such a beautiful piece from repurposed diamonds. (By the way, those will be discounted during the Burbank market ! Shhhhhh... Keep the secret! ;-)   )

What do you love most about Burbank? I love the huge creative community that Burbank has. It makes sense having all the big movie studios near! I always get customers with the most amazing professional stories and creative advice, and I really like that.

I also have special friends from my very first job in Madrid who live now in Burbank so I enjoy seeing them after the markets every year :-) 

I have participated in a continuous way in the Downtown Burbank Arts Festival with Jackalope from the beginning of my jewelry adventure and I have really good connections there. 

Some of my best customers I met there, they kept on coming through the years and I ended up making their engagement and wedding rings. They even invited Cat and I to their wedding! It was so special to feel a part of the community in that way. 

What is a fun fact about yourself that others may not expect?   Quite a few!

• I am a Pharmacist as well and used to work in Breast Cancer Research.

• I sang at the Sydney Opera House with their choir while I was living there

• I was in a Roller Derby team in LA

• I've been to 47 countries around the world

• I was almost attacked by a Grizzly bear in Yellowstone while happy campers were trying to warn me and my husband from the base of the mountain that the Bear was coming! Now I laugh but that was quite scary... We could hear his menace grawl!

OMG you win on the fun facts! Where do you see yourself in 5 years?  Hopefully having a successful and sustainable business that allows me and my family to travel every year looking for adventure while searching for new materials and stones :-)

You have the day off, what do you do?  Now that I am a mother.... SLEEP!!

Find Minkara at the Downtown Burbank Arts Festival on May 31st & June 1st.

Website: www.minkara.life

Instagram: @minkarajewelry

Where are you from and how does that affect your work? I was born and raised in Italy, in a town nested between Mount Vesuvius and the Mediterranean Sea. Growing up in Napoli, with its art, ancient history, and vibrant culture, shaped my entire way of seeing the world. It’s a melting pot of people, colors, and stories, and that energy lives in my work. That’s also why I feel so connected to Southern California, it has a similar creative, sunny, and soulful vibe that feels like home to me.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences? My biggest artistic influence was my grandfather. He was an oil painter, and I grew up surrounded by his canvases, color palettes, and the wonderful smell of paint in the air. We always shared a special connection, and I think that his creative spirit got passed down to me. I also attended art school, and growing up in Italy, art was everywhere, in churches, museums, even the streets! It was a normal (and totally awesome) part of daily life, and it made a big contribution in how I see beauty in the world.

 What is the hardest part of your creation process? As a recovering ☺️  perfectionist, letting go and trusting that a piece is truly “done” can be difficult. Embracing imperfection doesn’t come naturally to me, but I’ve come to realize that nature isn’t perfect either and that’s what makes it so beautiful. I want my work to reflect that same organic, imperfect beauty, even though it’s hard to resist the urge to control every detail. Clay is the perfect medium to learn to let go, and honestly, I find it deeply therapeutic.

As a fellow perfectionist, I get that! What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why? My leaf plates are a delight to make and I’m kind of obsessed with them. I love my quirky bud vases a lot. But if I had to choose just one, I feel a special connection to my “plump” amphora with blue glazes and underglazes. There’s something about it… the shape, the symbols, the deep-sea colors that reminds me of ancient Greece and the Mediterranean sea. It just feels like me.

What do you love most about Burbank? I live in Pasadena and love the whole area so much. Burbank is a vibrant community with an artistic energy, a creative hub with a vintage soul. There’s something magical about being in the heart of the entertainment world with just the right mix of inspiration and charm.

What is a fun fact about yourself that others may not expect? There's actually a picture of me and a caption with my name inside the Griffith Observatory! I moved from Italy 20 years ago and had the incredible opportunity to work on The Big Picture, the largest astronomical image ever created, alongside a small group of scientists from Caltech. It's still thrilling to know I was part of something so cosmic… literally!

Also, long before that, I founded Soldissimi.it, the very first Italian website dedicated to coupons, sweepstakes, and freebies. This year, it turns 25 and it is still the largest Italian community on that topic!

That is so cool! Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In five years, I see myself with my hands and clothes full of paint, clay, and a little dirt (from collecting rocks and exploring places). I’m drawn to bold colors, transparency, and textures shaped by nature. I have a passion (and a MS) for Geology; my nature plates are inspired by my love for fossils. Whether I’m creating, painting, or just getting lost in the desert with my family, I am happy!

You have the day off, what do you do? If I have a day off, you’ll probably find me out in nature, whether it’s a forest, a desert, a river, or the sea. I crave that peaceful, quiet connection with the natural world. It recharges me, grounds me, and fills me with inspiration. No better way to spend a day than surrounded by beauty and silence. I usually come back with sand in my shoes, a few interesting rocks in my pockets, and a hundred new ideas in my head.

Anything special you’d like to share? I’m so excited to be a part of the Jackalope community, this is my first time participating, and I’m truly looking forward to every smile, kind word, and bit of advice from people attending. What makes it even more special is that my 15-year-old daughter will be with me. She’s an amazing artist in the making, and creating together has always been our happy place. I feel grateful to share this experience with her and with all of you!

Find Simonamadeit at the Downtown Burbank Arts Festival on May 31st & June 1st.

Website: https://www.simonamadeit.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonamadeit