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I really believe in synchronicity.  You know when something happens for a reason.  Or in this case where one thing leads to another!  I had the pleasure to meet the lovely Jo Abellera of KKIBO in a macrame weaving workshop she hosted in Los Angeles.  As well as being a standout artisan and designer she's an inspiring teacher!  The class was so much fun meeting other like minded creative women.  And especially seeing what everyone made that was so original all with the same techniques.  Traditional macrame usually relies on pattern - Jo really encouraged a more freeform and organic approach that helped everyone get into their own creative flow!  I came home very inspired to create more.  And that's how we got started working together!  

Later on I met Jo at her Los Angeles studio, at the time, to talk about what would feel right for FOUND&MADE.  Inspired by all of her hand dyed creations, hand knotted market bags and gorgeous line of knitwear.  Jo has an effortless chic style that you can really see come through in her craft.  

The walls were keepers of design sketches and childhood drawings from her daughter.  Photographs, collected treasures and original designs to inspire...

We talked about what was starting up at FOUND&MADE and what we like to offer being what we love for our home.  Inspired by a West Coast relaxed vibe, we had a vision for this to be the overall look and feel.  In a laid back chic kind of way.   

I shared our story and how we are very drawn to being in nature and wandering to find the next place to discover.  So Jo and I collaborated on the color palette feeling like washed out shades of terra cotta and blues like the ocean and earthiness of the wet clay of the sand.  A little bit of color thats so wearable for everyday. 

Jo's approach to textiles has a modern way about it that feels right for today. And her sense of fashion and design gives everything that influence.

She approaches her work with an inspired artisan's eye, much the way a sculptor might work clay.  All of Jo's designs use natural fibers like wool, alpaca, jute and rope. They transform into work that has both individuality and an easy, sensual beauty. 

KKIBO is named after the Japanese word for HOPE.  

We are so happy to have Jo Abellera and KKIBO as a featured artist at FOUND&MADE. We hope you enjoy for days to come. 

Today on the blog, I wanted to share more about meeting one of our FOUND&MADE featured artists, Mt Washington Pottery.  Beth Katz is the heart and soul of Mt Washington Pottery. When I first met Beth she was immediately warm and so inviting when visiting her Los Angeles studio.  Beth took the time to learn what we were starting up at FOUND&MADE.  And I shared how we were looking for artists that we connect with to help tell our story.  Both Beth and I have creative backgrounds and it was so much fun being able to relate in that way.  And I feel personally inspired by her work and what she has accomplished!  

Beth grew up influenced by the freedom of her childhood growing up in Topanga, California. An enclave for the bohemian spirit of artists, writers and musicians that is very much alive today. It’s one of the things that attracted us to Mt Washington Pottery, as you can see that free spirited influence in her pieces and feel the soulfulness of her work.            

We think Beth embodies the true spirit of her craft.  Her studio is wonderfully inspiring and full of beautiful moments that offer unintended displays of her pottery.  Whether it be a grouping of her iconic bells, carved lamps and mugs or the mixture of clay beads to make talisman…you can really feel the creative process.

Notes and brushes sit beside her pottery wheel like a painterly still life and the studio gives has a zen nature with pieces lined up in the kiln ready for firing.  Each part of the process important on its own.  Beth creates modern beauty with each piece of pottery carrying the mark of her own thumbprints.  It's what we find beautiful in what's lasting and authentic.

When working on our opening collection of bells and talisman for FOUND&MADE.  Beth created a group of bells that was inspired by our travels along the West Coast.  The palette reflects the shades of nature that we find inspiring in coastal shades of blues and greens along with more earthy neutrals in whites and natural clay.  We really enjoy offering the bells as they are all each special in their own way.  Hand carved or hand thrown with a lot of artful goodness.  And the talisman have the intention to bring good luck and fortune to your home.  We love connecting with standout artists and sharing their work and we hope you do too! We are excited to offer our opening collection of Mt Washington Pottery.  To feel the soul passed along. TO LIVE A WELL LOVED LIFE.

photo credits: courtesy of Mt Washington Pottery.