Lolabags’ owner Ana has been sewing since she was a little girl. She was looking for a creative outlet when the idea for a shop on Etsy came to her in a dream (not kidding!). She named it “Lolabags” after her cat Lola.
These bags are not only creative and great designs, but they’re also spacious and can double as a diaper bag, or travel bag.
Website: www.etsy.com/shop/lolabags
Twitter: www.twitter.com/lolabags
Here’s some more info from Ana:
I grew up in a very crafty home. My mother taught me how to sew, My Dad taught me how to refinish furniture, My uncle taught me how to make jewelry, Batik and tie-dye, My Grandma taught me how to macramé and make Christmas ornaments. Crafting is in my blood!
I’ve always been a DIY person. My Birthday is coming up and I’m really wishing for a circular saw (oh the things I could make)!
I started Lolabags (http://www.etsy.com/shop/lolabags) in 2008. My Husband and I had just moved from New York to California and there was a lot of transition going on in our lives. The shop gave me an outlet and something to do while I looked for work. I love fabric shopping and the prints just inspire me. I named it after my black cat, Lola.
I set up shop in the kitchen of my 583 square foot apartment. On that kitchen table I would iron, cut, pin, sew, photograph, list and package everything I made. We recently moved to Seattle and now I have my own office…a whole room!! I’ve been having fun making it a total “me” space and I don’t have to worry about cleaning it up in time for dinner. I can just shut my door and no one can see the mess of it all. Normally my office looks like a fabric bomb went off in it.
In the past year I’ve been able to expand the shop. Seattle has some really awesome thrift stores and I’ve had some great finds. So now the shop has a Vintage section for the things I find. I’ve been able to explore other creative interests as well. I’ve always been an amateur photographer and have just started listing some of my photos in the shop. They’ve been well received and the feedback has been encouraging.
Lunaversoul specializes in unique handcrafted jewelry that is funky, eclectic and soulful with a touch of ethnic flair.
Each piece is made by artist “CJ” Camisha Jackson and is guaranteed to turn heads while adding that little extra spice to your favorite outfit.
Because all personalities are unique, it’s only natural that each person would want a piece of jewelry that allows them to express their individuality and compliments the style they want to achieve.
Website: www.lunaversoul.com
Etsy Store: www.lunaversoul.etsy.com
Lori, the owner/founder of sinkorswim designs, focuses on organic shapes and clean, minimal designs. Each piece is completely designed and handcrafted by her in her studio in Seattle. For her jewelry, she solders, rivets, forms and hammers to create a small work of art, even down to the clasps and ear wires, which are always handmade and designed to fit the look of each individual piece.
Her knits are designed and knitted from her own designs and patterns. She creates fun, fitted looks using rich, vibrant colors.
Website: www.etsy.com/shop/sinkorswimdesigns?ref=seller_info
Nancy has been an artist all her life, in different mediums. Then Dichroic glass captivated her, and now she’s working on something she loves, creating beautiful jewelry that is as individual as you are.
Website: www.nancywalkerdesign.net/
B(earth)’s Mission: To provide clothing for your child that is equally hip, comfortable, functional, and most importantly – as safe for your baby as it is for the environment.
B(earth) is made up of three eco-conscious friends who hope to reduce their impact on the planet – starting at birth – by making eco-thoughtful clothing and accessories for their children and the children of their friends.
They are based in Seattle, WA, and use only 100% organic, sweatshop-free cotton in their products. Even our labels are made from 100% organic cotton.
In addition, they use water-based inks on our printed products, instead of the traditional chemical-based inks. They also strive to work with local designers and printing and embroidery shops whenever possible to help strengthen our local communities.
And they don’t stop there. They use recycled paper and soy-based inks in all of our packaging and printed materials whenever possible.
They are very proud of what they do and believe that all of these things are simple first steps in their part to leave the planet to their children in a better condition than in which they found it. They hope that you’ll agree.
Website: www.bearthclothing.com/
Chad is the awesome creator of “Snipe Habitat.” He has a BS in Zoology and a minor in Animal Psychology from the University of Everett. He also currently works in the ER at Seattle Vet Specialists, and has previously worked at the Woodland Park Zoo.
What does that have to do with t-shirts, you ask?
Chad wanted to get younger people interested in endangered species, so he created a website where they (and others) could learn more about endangered species. This website also sells t-shirts, where 5% of all profits go to groups and societies who are dedicated to saving endangered species.
Their shirts are super sustainable — they originally get their shirts from Playback clothing in NY, which is all recycled, either cotton from other clothing, or polyester from water bottles.
Two of my favorite features of the shirts are the three loops of recycled thread at the bottom of every shirt, and the creative names on the tag, which tell you what recycled material it’s made out of.
Website: www.snipehabitat.com/
Eklectopia represents the art of Elizabeth Knopf and her partner Bryce Kelly. They are part of an artist’s collective that live and work on boats on the Duwamish river in South Park. They are inspired and influenced by the contrast and collage of our industrial/urban/natural/multicultural neighborhood.They currently sell their art at the Fremont Sunday market, as well in local stores and on etsy.
At our Saturday Market, Eklectopia sells jewelry made from aluminum cans, and nautical themed hand-engraved pint glasses. Here is their process:
Aluminum cans are cut open and the chosen sections are shaped and sanded. Pieces are attached with jump rings and brads to make earrings and pins.
Pint glasses are engraved using a glass dremmel tool, and tracing or freehanding the image on to the outside surface.
Etsy: www.etsy.com/people/eklectopia
How did KAV Designs start?
I think the seeds for KAV designs actually started when I was very young. I have always loved making things. My mom has always been so amazing about teaching me to make things and about letting me work on different projects while ignoring the mess some of the crazy projects I came up with may have caused. (I hope that I have made it up to her, by making her my primary earring tester now!)
My actual business KAV designs started after I got very interested in making jewelry. I took a class on how to manipulate and hammer wire to create earwires and findings and I was completely hooked. I love all types of crafting, but there is something about bending/forming wire and hammering on a metal block that is unbeatable to me.
What type of things do you make?
I make contemporary jewelry primarily in glass, stone, and sterling silver. Most of my earring designs are on continuous handformed sterling silver earwires. I enjoy creating new three dimensional forms.
What is your inspiration?
I think that a lot of my pieces are inspired by Architecture. I have an undergraduate and graduate degree in Architecture and think that my education definitely informs a lot of my designs. For me I think there is definitely a “form follows function” philosophy and I enjoy creating pieces that are functional and can be worn everyday.
My pieces are usually very simple and typically feature one bead or several smaller asymmetrical beads in a cluster as the focal point. I think that silver, glass, and stone are all very beautiful materials and I try to create designs that showcase the unique qualities of each material.
Where can we find your stuff (other than at our market)?
The FriendShop at Seattle Central Public Library (located off the 5th Avenue entrance) The FriendShop is a really great shop and the staff/volunteers that run it are amazing. One of the greatest things about their store is that the proceeds from the shop benefit the Friends of the Seattle Public Library!!
The Base Camp in Billings, Montana and Helena, Montana–I am so honored to have my pieces at The Base Camp, it is one of my favorite stores in my hometown of Billings, Montana.
Online at: www.kavdesigns.com —- A lot of my pieces are one of a kind pieces so the design inventory changes regularly. I love doing custom orders too!
What are your social media properties and where can we find them?
Blog— www.kavdesigns.blogspot.com
Twitter— @KAVdesigns
In addition to the amazing mix of activities at the market this summer, one of the highlights for me has been the “children’s area,” hosted by Jeff + Annie Strain, a wonderful local family (and new Pioneer Square business owners).
Although it’s been different every Saturday, activities have included a bubble maker, legos, and a drawing table. They’ve decided to step it up this weekend by hosting a “Family Fun Day,” with even more activities for kids than before.
If you stop by the market this Saturday, in addition to the wonderful vendors and mobile food carts, you’ll see:
1) Lego table
2) Industrial bubble machine
3) Art tables
4) Imagination station with recycled cardboard, etc.
5) riding toys for toddlers
6) sidewalk chalk
7) balls and hula hoops
Vendors should feel free to bring their kids and invite their friends to come as well!
Although I don’t have an” official” bio to post about Choke shirt company, they are one of our top performers at the market. After browsing through their website, it was hard not to pull most of the photos from there and post them here, just to show you how great their stuff is.
This is their last Saturday at the market (they’re getting ready for a big store opening), so make sure to stop by and get your fill of Choke!
p.s. they’re also selling our “official” Seattle Square T’s
Website: www.chokeshirtco.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chokeshirtco
