I moved to US 20+ years ago from Japan. I was born and grew up in  Tokyo. I began to design jewelry and accessories in New York City, but now I live in the Bay Area.

I’ve always made pretty things as a graphic designer. Several years ago I lost my many of my major clients. I was very upset, to lose my job, but was happy to have more time for myself. I started to make more. I still have a graphic design business to make real money though.

I find inspiration during my yoga class a lot. The best thing is assembling to the final piece. The worst is rubbing  wool in warm soapy water for 3 hours. I use locally produced wool only and natural or plant dye as much as possible. All glass beads are hand made by me. The only purchased parts within my work are semi precious beads, pearls and findings.

www.naokonojiri.com

My name is Wen (Yueh-Wen Chang) This is my second year full-time running my jewelry brand Sora Designs. I design and make all things floral and whimsical that you see in the collection.

What inspired you to go into the craft business, do you still have a day job? I quit my day job last December after working as a social science researcher in the academic field and government research agency for 8 years. I never dreamed that I could one day make a living on my handmade jewelry business when I first started my online shop part time. It’s a dramatic change from what I was brought up to do. I grew up in Taiwan in the mid -70s and 80s. The mentality during that time in terms of education is for a child to just focus on the academic and nothing else. Get a good grade, pass the entrance exams, an then get into the best public high schools and colleges. I did not question much when I was growing up. I studied hard and got into the good schools all the way. I did it right in every aspect. It’s funny that my dad is an artist. He is a composer and plays piano and violin. But getting a good grade in the academics is still a safer way to go, he told me. I joined Fine Art Club when I was in college but was told to keep it as a hobby.

I came to the United States in 1995 to pursue my graduate degrees in Educational Psychology. I was amazed about all the local craft fairs and amused about all different majors that I haven’t heard about when I was in Taiwan. I finished my degrees and enjoyed the time in the graduate schools. Though I would be constantly taking some knitting classes or making jewelry for friends as my creative outlet. I finally got my Ph.D. in early intervention and policy research and was happy to get out of the school for all those years. Six years fast forward, I found that I could just be as proud and happy in creating stuff to make other people happy too. Now I am fully supporting myself with my growing business

Describe your creative process when designing/making your product line. I draw inspiration from almost everywhere, but there are some central themes that are pretty constant. The first theme is floral and fauna. There is nothing like wandering through wispy branches, sculpted shrubs, and layers of blooming color and texture. I could lose myself in a garden or field for hours. They are the perfect juxtaposition of art and nature. You can see those components in my 3-D nursery collections and all the critters and creatures in my designs. I also draw my inspiration from the hustle and bustle of the city life. The walks in the park, cooking with family, shopping, stuffing my face with food from a new cafe in town, and always enjoying people watching. These have all inspired and shaped me to become the person that I am today.

What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst? There was no boss, no getting up at 6 a.m. to catch the BART, and no office politics. Our son just started kindergarten this Fall and I feel so fortunate that I can be more involved in his daily activities. He does not need to go to the after school programs and we can make and enjoy lunch together. This extra bonus is something that I did not think of when I first quit my office job.

Trying to be everything in my own business can sometimes gets stressful. I’m the creative director, tea girl, the artist, the marketing department, the accounts department and the PR department and the model in all the photo shoots. Luckily, I do not have to be the photographer. My husband took this title early one and does it very well.

I am so happy to be featured at the San Francisco Bazaar blog. I want to thank all the readers with a 10% discount coupon. Just enter “BB2011HOLIDAY” as the coupon code when you check out at my Etsy shop. The coupon code will expire 12/20/2011. But you are welcome to join my Facebook to get future updates and giveaways news.

www.facebook.com/soradesigns
http://www.etsy.com/shop/soradesigns

Fox and Moon Tea has been providing traveling tea services and focused tea tastings featuring harvest and regional comparisons since 2005. We source single-origin teas crafted by esteemed masters from around the world. We create our own line of tea blends and accompanying tea snacks. My artistic and crafty side emerges in my overall aesthetic and approach to packaging, as well as through the inventiveness that I bring to tea blending and baking. My goal is to spark interest and start a conversation, to delight and engage each person who experiences the tea. With my blends and baked goods, I focus on balancing flavor notes and adding in elements of intrigue to the taste. I share stories of my tea travels and learning as well as support and showcase local artists during my events in an effort to reflect the tradition of drinking tea in an enriching cultural and communal atmosphere.

What inspired you to go into the craft business, do you still have a day job? I love to create and am driven to capture the feeling and essence of what I feel is integral to tea and share it with others. I freelance in the interactive/internet industry to support this calling, and my long-term goal is having Fox & Moon Tearoom be my sole focus.

Describe your creative process when designing/making your product line. It depends on what I’m making. With my tea blends I am inspired by flavor combinations that are complimentary and help evolve the experience of tea drinking. I don’t use flavored oil enhancers or scents in my blends. I approach blending for balance, quality and experience. Once I get an idea, I sit with it and test it out over time. I also hold blind taste tests with panels of tasters.

Creating a blend is similar to composing a song or painting – it’s a layered, evolving and engaging process. There is always a little alchemy in there, and room for the person enjoying the tea to experience it from their
own perspective.

What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst? What I enjoy most about having a tea business is sharing what I love with others, exchanging stories, and making personal connections. I value the experience and culture of tea and endeavor to provide an avenue for my guests and customers to extend that experience to others. The worst or most frustrating thing, is not yet being able to dedicate myself full-time to my business.

I host public tea events throughout the year as well as provide private traveling tea parties and focused tastings. I offer merchant accounts for retailers and restaurateurs.

Fox & Moon’s events and tea products are available at: www.foxandmoontea.com

I’m a pen and ink illustrator who loves to make people smile. My work combines the traditional style of fairy tale illustrations with modern fantasies. From antlered girls to magical fish, my shop is full of drawings that will brighten your home and bring you back to your childhood. Studio MME sells prints, cards, and bookmarks featuring my quirky illustrations.

What inspired you to go into the craft business? Do you still have a day job? My parents fully supported me earning degrees in art and creative writing with the stipulation that I had to open a business before I graduated. That’s why I started Studio MME in 2009 but it’s become an incredible passion for me. It’s my part-time job currently. My other part-time job is as a freelancer. So, I have the pleasure of working from my apartment just 2 years after my graduation!

Describe your creative process when designing/making your product line. It all starts with a story. The stories come to me while I’m taking my daily walk or while I’m sleeping. They’re generally so silly that I start laughing instantly. From there I sketch out the quirky illustration. I almost exclusively use Rapidograph pens (which are becoming harder to find because architects and drafters no longer use the pens).

What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst? I love being able to create whatever I want! Every quirky idea that comes into my head makes it to the paper. I never imagined so many people would fall in love with my work. It’s easily the best part of this whole thing. The worst part has to be filing taxes. Thankfully the ladies at my local Board of Equalization put up with my hour-long calls each July and walk me through each step.

www.studiomme.com