While my store is closed indefinitely, I’d like to give a shoutout to some of my favorite makers and/or small business owners. I admire them so much and support small businesses wholeheartedly, especially as I see many closing during the holidays. Check them out and maybe consider a purchase if you haven’t finished your holiday shopping!
East Bay
Megan Bre is an Oakland-based artist and small business owner. You can find her at the Temescal Farmer’s Market sharing her sustainably-sourced tallow balms and candles. Her offerings smell and work great (her chapsticks are amazing). My favorite is her Lucid Dreams balm, which has a calming scent. I apply this at night.
A bit more about the store:
“Summer Solace Tallow is a small, family-owned business dedicated to the production of slow-made, deeply nourishing, organic tallow-based skincare and home goods. Established in Spring 2014 by organic chef and gardener Megan Bre Camp in Oakland, California.
Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, in a Military family and transplanted to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2004, Megan is deeply committed to sustainable living. With indigenous roots in the Central Highlands of Vietnam and the Filipino countryside, respect for animals, the environment, and a strong spiritual connection to nature are woven into her genetic makeup.”
Morningtide is a super cute boutique in Albany, California. You’ll find ceramics, housewares, linens and lightly used clothing at this women-owned store. They have pop-ups with local makers every weekend featuring anything from popsicles, tamales and ceramics.
A bit more about the store:
“Inspired by their upbringings along the coast of northern California, founders and friends Lisa Fontaine and Lisa Wong Jackson strongly believe in being thoughtful about the things they bring into their homes. Each piece should have a purpose, bring happiness and offer a sense of well being.”
Monique Feybesse re-opened her own business with her husband during the pandemic. They are Michelin-star chefs making the most beautiful eclairs and tarts in the East Bay. Their pastries, bread and jam are also crowd-pleasers (we’ve had them for many happy hours). You can pre-order for deliveries over $50.
A bit more about the business:
“In March 2020, the year of COVID-19, Tarts de Feybesse was reborn in their Glen Cove Vallejo home as a way to bring sourdough levain to their community and neighbor’s door due to the shortage. They started with only 8 breads the first week, swearing that would be the maximum. It quickly turned into a complete pastry menu, selling out every day and in advance to the Bay Area clientele, staying true to French classic roots and creating pastries that are beautiful, modern, and most of all, delicious.”
Los Angeles
Check out this amazing AAPI collective of makers. I’m a huge fan of Karen’s Heo Ceramics and France’s Lu France Interiors. France has a gift set that I’ve sent to many a friend for housewarming or birthday celebrations. Karen’s bright and colorful ceramics will make anyone smile.
New York
I’ve discovered lots of talented creatives through this studio, including Sheng Ceramics. They feature exquisite and delicate glassware, as well as innovative designs from around the world.
A bit more about the shop:
“Founded in 2019 by sisters Yingchi and Yuchen, Mogutable (pronounced ‘mo-gu-table’) was born from a love of food and the experience of it — a realization that meals weren’t necessarily about the food itself, but the stories told through the setting and objects used to accompany it.
Born and raised in Taiwan, and now based in Brooklyn, the sister duo were at the intersection of both American and East Asian designs. Today, Mogutable offers a number of well-designed, beautiful tableware, and home goods from Japan, Taiwan, S. Korea, and here in the U.S. that are thoughtfully curated, and then shared with those who share the same love of elevating daily routines and objects in their lives.”
If I lived in NYC as a little girl, I would’ve spent all my childhood allowance at this stationary store. Stamps, stickers and waxes come wrapped in the cutest paper and tape. It’s like receiving a gift from a friend, which makes me dream about my childhood penpals. I can’t wait to go back to NY to see this store in person.
A bit more about the shop:
"Zakka(雑貨)" is a Japanese word which refers to everything and anything that improves your home, life, and appearance. To me, I see "Zakka" as those little things that can truly jazz up your life, make memories and also inspire you. "The details are not the details. They make the design," as Charles Eames once said.”