Michelle DeMarco of llamaGoose Studios aims to create a more sustainable future through her art. The entrepreneur creates artisanal coloring books and donates a hefty portion of proceeds to non-profit conservation organizations, including The Conservation Foundation and Ocean Conservancy. An author and illustrator, Michelle was named a finalist for American
Rita Vilhena, who goes by the artistic name Rita Isabel, is a Portuguese painter, digital artist and photographer. She has won awards for her work, including a 2023 honorable mention by the Tokyo Foto Awards in the Editorial / Fashion category. In her interview, Rita shares her unique perspective on success,
Many of us flocked to knitting, crocheting, quilting and other fiber arts to cope with the COVID-19 lockdowns. As hobbyists fueled the craft industry’s growth, global trade show organizer Koelnmesse took note. For years, the German events company has hosted H+H Cologne, an international trade fair for handicrafts
“Project Runway” alum Laurie Underwood is the designer behind Laury Bride, a custom and ready-to-wear bridalwear line. Before going all in on designing for brides, Laurie produced chic women’s workwear under her Wanda Grace label. Though wedding gowns were Laurie’s passion, landing her first bride gave her the
Beth McLacklan’s journey into metalsmithing and jewelry design started during a difficult time in her life, when she was recovering from Lyme disease and four other tick-borne illnesses. It was then that her mother would bring her boxes of costume jewelry from auctions, providing her with a source of
Latina Elena Pérez founded The Hip Hat, a line of sustainable, handcrafted hats and fashion accessories inspired by her homeland, Ecuador’s rich culture and natural beauty. The Hip Hat blends style, quality and social responsibility, proving that fashion can be a force for good. Elena shares more about her
While studying studio art and art history as an undergrad at Columbia University, Alex Bass developed a fondness for the times when artists and other creatives gathered in person to exchange ideas. This gave her a business idea. “I wanted to bring back this mode of communicating and socializing around
Carla Balzano is a Boston-based makeup artist and esthetician. In her interview, Carla shares her journey from playing with makeup kits as a tween to pursuing her passion as a career to starting her business, Creative Contour By Carla. The makeup artist believes in using makeup as a tool for
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. If you’re looking for a meaningful gift, an engravable necklace is an excellent place to start. Dazzle your recipient with a one-of-a-kind piece tailored to their tastes. Whether a pendant with
Cynthia Asije and Sarah Odiavbara are the cofounders of AdireLounge, a sustainable and socially conscious activewear brand based in Paris. Interestingly, Cynthia, an award-winning textile designer, and Sarah, a technology developer, met on social media. “We have known each other for four years, having first met during a professional discussion
Katarina Roccella is a multi-disciplinary and multimedia artist from Serbia, a country in central-southeast Europe. Her art practice combines mixed media collage, watercolors, inks, and paint media, and natural motifs serve as Katarina’s inspiration for creating unique color schemes. Realizing an opportunity in surface pattern design, Katarina made art
Haitian artist Béatrice Célestin creates abstract art on diverse mediums, including canvas, wood panels, dinnerware, fabric prints for furniture, resin and more. Her business, Lady Octopus, is an art-driven lifestyle brand concept aiming to provide its supporters with beautiful and functional art. For background, Haiti is one of the poorest