gallery

Modern Eden Is a wonderful new gallery in San Franciscos North Beach, and yes I am so excited they are carrying my GreenStyled cuff. Even if they weren't I would tell you to check out this place. Kim Larson has a great eye. Paintings, wearable art, ... . It's also a cute little stretch of Francisco Street in the North Beach hood. On one side at the corner of Francisco and Powell St is the Francisco cafe. On the other side towards Mason Street is Sweeties, ...

North Beach

So I'm strolling up Columbus Ave.in San Francisco's North Beach keeping my antenae out for the perfectt store. Unique, artistic vision, supportive of local designers, a leaning toward repurposed. Haha, is this asking too much. Not in San Francisco where every cool neighborhood from Eco~Citizen on Russian Hill to Collage gallery on Protrero Hill have this spirit and carry my lines. I do this on a regular basis since I work at the North Beach branch of the San Francisco Public Library, when I'm not creating new green accessories. I pass the same luscious places daily, from Florio Restaurant, the most charmingly decorated restaurant in the universe, to Bohemeian Cigar Store, the best place to just chill.
And then, HELLO, where have I been; there is Abitare, this charing shop. Truth be told I stopped in for a postcard when. Cia the owner, and a total sweetie, asked about my SWEET D handbag. Well , you guessed it, they are now in her shop.
So next time you're in North Beach stop into this awesome treasure trove; you're bound to find something.
Abitare is at 522 Columbus Ave between Union and Green right up from the Bohemiam Cigar Store.

Green Boutiques

Wow, the amount of earth friendly stores opening each day is amazing and inspiring. Thought of this today as I sat down to google "green boutiques" in ..., pick your city. One that really caught my eye was "Green Envy" in Newport, R.I. .The combination of of a green awareness and a real sense of style and fun makes places like this so exciting. I had a great talk with the owner Rachel, I'll let you know what happens. More and more stores have this fun vibe. It's at these kind of boutiques you're also more likely to find artist-made items.
Once Whole Foods had expressed interest in my bags and then wanted me to price them competetive with some $2.00 overseas made bags. It turned out to be a great experience though as it helped me to focus on all the fabulous independantly owned boutiques around the country that love to introduce artist designed and made work. So I think I started with Seattle and found this rockin' place on Capital Hill called Nube Green. I spoke to Abra and she loved what I was doing with re-purposing. Artist-made pieces are a big part of what thier about so it was a great fit. It just kept going from there. In Atlanta I found re-inspiration store. Located on Atlanta's Westside, I wish I was there right now so I could go hang out on Brooke and Julie's couch. Turns out my SWEET D bag was a perfect fit for this eclectic fun shop. so many more stores and sites to talk about, but for now it's back to cutting fabric and deciding if I want skinny or fat sterling tubes for my re-purposed metal and glass earrings.

style

Just saw Joslin at Eco-Citizen on Polk Street here in S.F. - What a GREAT (and green) store. And she loves everything she has here. I'm so glad my GreenStyled bags are here!