Andrea Bapst has been hammering away at her unique creations for years now, and they are a perpetual favorite in the store. We took a moment to catch up with one of the creators behind Spoonsenforksen and learn more about her inspirations and process. How did you start your business? Spoonsenforksen is owned (by me) Andrea and my partner Aurelio. We went on a vacation to San Francisco in 2006 and saw a man on the street corner making rings out of spoons on a tree stump. Incredibly inspired, we came back home to begin antiquing for silverware and started practicing. Fun fact, Aurelio made ..read more

Creator of our always popular glitter and resin cacti, Star DeLuna is ready to charge forward with a new studio space and new line of items, all created for Star DeLuna Creations. Spring has sprung, and it is time to catch up with Star to learn more about her process.   What is your favorite part of the maker’s process? Experimenting with the color combinations of the mica powders and the many different glitters that I have collected over the years is inspiring to me. My most favorite part is creating my very own colors by mixing the mica powders together so I can make one of a kind piec ..read more

Delicious scents and childhood memories collide, great ideas and new adventures converging, so many inspirational combinations are used in Sandfire Candles. Oh the delightful smell of it all!  Learn more about artisan Gutxo Scarpa, the creative mind behind Sandfire Candle Co. this month. What is your favorite part of the maker’s process? As a candle maker, I think the most exciting thing is when people smell the candles and it creates a series of emotions, feelings or memories of some place or people.  The power to transport someone through the senses is a special reward for m ..read more

 Phoenix artist Jen Urso creates intricate, well researched depictions of everything from favorite cactus patches, best solo running routes to the perfect neighborhood place to get a caffeine fix. Just in time for Arizona's birthday, we celebrate all things local by catching up with Jen about her latest creations.   What is your favorite part of the maker’s process? It’s probably the beginning where I’m gathering copious amounts of information and maybe researching historic information—understanding the layers of time that brought us here. That and also the point when I realize somethin ..read more

    We met with one of our newest additions to the MADE artist family for our January newsletter, Julie Elefante.  Creating under the name Rock, Scissors, Paper Press Julie's meticulously crafted handmade books are a joy to behold. How did you get started creating your pieces? I needed a creative outlet to help process all the complex emotions I’d built up during the last handful of years—a lot of loss and change to grieve. I used to write a lot, but when I tried this time, my brain was working too hard to make sense of things that had happened in the past, and I want ..read more

Photo courtesy of Elyse Tuennerman   In this month's newsletter we feature one of our newest artist, Elyse Tuennerman, creator of Jusko Studio. Her prints featuring a variety of different animals; they are humorous, salty and generally adorable, sure to brighten any pet lover's home! How did you get started creating your pieces? My "day job" is in technology and UX research, so I spend a lot of time thinking about what the human eye and brain are drawn to. Writing a research study — though it's not exactly "art" — is a creative exercise in its own way, but it doesn't quite scratch the ..read more

This month meet Alesia Allen, the artist behind the ever popular ceramics from Gilded Sun Studio.  Her ring dishes and trays fly off the shelf this time of year!   We took a moment to catch up with this wonderful artist and find out more about the work she creates. How did you get started creating your pieces?   I did actually go to art school, but not for ceramics. My degree is actually in fashion design! Back in 2012, I ended up going to an open house at a pottery studio in my hometown in Massachusetts and ended up talking a lot with one of the studio owners. I found out she w ..read more

  This month, meet local ceramicist extraordinaire Ted Ciccone. He returned to his first love of ceramics 5 years ago and his creations run from playful, (have you seen the jelly bean on feet bud vase?!) to highly detailed, exacting pieces. Here he is in his own words: How did you get started creating your pieces? I first started exploring pottery in high school, attended University of the Arts to study ceramics and then shifted my major to industrial design. After a career in product design and marketing I returned to ceramics as a focus in the last five years. It ha ..read more

Rae Wilson is a new transplant to Phoenix. She brings her creative passion to the process for every piece she makes. Her paintings create whimsy through embracing things not always making sense.  Here’s our full interview with Rae in her own words: How did you get started creating your pieces? I found two large canvases near a dumpster, and after a very inspiring trip to a plant conservatory I knew that I could preserve those canvases and paint plants as a symbol of rebirth/newness, and connect the dots of old becoming new with the placement of  circles in my work. What’s t ..read more

Sometimes the art calls you. Rose learned her craft from her mom and grandfather after taking a brave leap of faith to transform her life. She’s been honing her craft and expanding her business ever since moving back to Arizona.  Here’s our full interview with Rose in her own words:    How did you get started creating your pieces? I am a third-generation ceramicist. I never in my life thought that I would become a potter because honestly growing up I hated it. I didn't want anything to do with it but after completely moving away from my family and coming here (Arizona) I worked ..read more