Meet the Marketplace No. 004

We started the Prism Boutique Marketplace Collection to keep our community connected and to introduce our customers to local artists from across the country at a time when we feel so far apart. 

We’re so excited to introduce you to the next round of independent makers featured in our Marketplace. From handmade ceramics to one-of-a-kind vintage, the thought and care that goes into each piece crafted by these artists is truly incredible. 

Get to know the talented women behind each featured brand of our new Marketplace Collection and show your support any way you can.

Riley of Curated Casita 

When did you start creating ceramics?
My first experience with ceramics was for a class in high school which I loved, but everything we made was very limited creativity wise so I didn’t think twice about it until this pandemic began. I was out of a job and looking for a creative outlet to bring me joy in these tough times, and I thought why not ceramics! I began searching everywhere for used equipment so I could begin my new venture! In a few short months I had everything I needed to begin creating. It’s definitely been a learning experience along the way, but I’ve had so much fun experimenting with different shapes and forms and mostly excited to have a new hobby where I can let my creativity flow.

What’s your favorite piece and the inspiration behind it?
My favorite piece has to be the ‘Form Mug’. This piece was so fun to create and I was inspired by the female figure and what it represents. She is not just a body, but a body that evokes beauty in all forms. She gives us life and represents strength and beauty. I also combined the two forms of art that I love, drawing and ceramics. Each piece is made by hand and unique in their own way, making them individually beautiful, exactly how each individual woman is.

Tell us about the exclusive pieces you created just for Prism.
I loved working with Dayna and Alyssa to create pieces exclusively for Prism! All the checkered pieces in this collection are exclusive to the boutique. The brown and terra-cotta colors were picked to perfectly match the warm and inviting vibe that Prism exudes. The ‘Balance Wall Charms’ are also exclusive to Prism inspired by ornaments I had made for the holidays. I am beyond excited for my pieces to be displayed in a place that I hold so dear to my heart. My Prism family is one of the best things that have come out of these tough times, and I am forever grateful to be a part of this loving and supportive group of women!

Olivia of Sandstone Market 

Tell us a little about when your journey with art began.
I started painting realism, like naturescapes, animals, portraits, etc. at a super young age. After painting every day for probably 8 years straight, I lost touch with painting when I decided to venture away from pursuing an art school degree and become a florist instead. Feeling satisfied with using floral design as my main creative outlet for almost 9 years, I barely thought about painting again. Out of nowhere, about two years ago, I started missing painting again, hard! I dove right back in with realism, and got exhausted with the only painting I attempted (psst - it's still not done), and decided to start a project that deeply resonated with me - curating colors that really spoke to me, and reminded me of living in the desert. I didn't have a clear vision, I just knew I wanted to bring that feeling of being in the desert back. That's how my idea for Sandstone Market was born!

Your paintings are so intricate. What’s your process?
My process is ever changing. I started out by intentionally painting pretty bold lines that resembled abstract rock formations. Over time it's evolved into going into a starting a painting, having literally no idea what it's going to look like, and letting the brush and colors do all the work. The only thing I put a lot of thought and curation into is color mixing. I can't tell you how many different paint brush styles and qualities, as well as paint brands and types, that I've gone through to finally find my voice on the canvas and feel completely happy with my process. 

Where do you find most of your inspiration?
Visiting the Painted Hills in the High Desert of Oregon kickstarted the inspiration for this project. I actually have a few signature palettes that I've named after it! Generally though, I get a lot of inspiration from rock formations, moss, desertscapes, and vibrant colors found in geothermal pools. I also collect wonderstone and sandstone specimens that I display in my studio to keep me inspired. Also, It's my dream to visit The Wave in AZ, as well as Antelope Canyon! Seeing photos of those spots always make me feel super inspired to paint. 

Judy of From Here to There

When did your love for vintage begin?
My love for vintage developed in hIgh school when Nirvana hit the music scene. Vintage Levi’s emerged and quickly became a wardrobe essential. My best friend and I would drive to Melrose, Jet Rag and other small shops to find the best vintage. I always loved items that were unique. When I started my career, vintage was such a huge part of my design development. That’s when I really developed a greater love for treasure hunting, going to weekend flea markets, vintage warehouse digging through bins for hours, I just loved it! Still do. Vintage is special, these are pieces that have been around and we continue to look to the past to create the future.

How would you describe your brand?
Effortless and refined. A love for the perfectly imperfect bohemian ease, a little edge and refined eye, are thoughtfully curated pieces from local and abroad in limited quantity.

Where are your favorite spots to travel for unique finds?
It’s tough to narrow it down to one specific place, but I love traveling to Latin America. It’s filled with vibrant, optimistic colors balanced with earthy neutrals. There’s so much print, pattern, and texture. Many artisans practice ancestral techniques to weave hand embroider - it’s an art form. Each piece is made by hand which makes it super unique and special. Mexico and Peru are two of my favorites!

Elana Gabrielle

How did you get your start in illustration? 
I come from a family of painters, quilters, dancers, sculptors, and musicians. I grew up making all kinds of art from weaving to ceramics, to metal work, so art has always been part of my path in some form. In art school I studied illustration and loved how broadly it could be used to communicate, whether it be branding, editorial, books, or simply to hang on the wall. When I learned to screen print, it really shifted the way I thought about image making, and it also introduced me to printed textiles. I fell absolutely in love with textile design and created a capsule collection of printed goods and garments inspired by the natural world for my thesis project. I continued making printed textile and paper goods after I graduated, and it has evolved in what feels like a very organic transition. I now have a small business where I get to make illustrated/printed multifunctional goods full time, and I’m so grateful!

How would you describe your personal illustration style?
My illustration style has definitely developed over the years, but nature-based designs have always been a constant. I think my work is a mix of calming, playful, nostalgic, balanced, and graphic. I am influenced by “cottage craft” of yesteryear but reimagined in a contemporary light that feels true to my own experience. For example, if I’m inspired by a quilt my grandmother sewed, maybe I reimagine it as a bandana designed with graphic and illustrative elements that maybe feel more modern yet is still ode to the craft. (Hint: I’m working on that now! 

What are your favorite materials to work with?
I love working with cut paper collage, screen printing, gouache, and colored pencils. Collage and screen printing are so great for color blocking and graphic shapes, and with paint and pencils I can play around with texture, mixing colors, and soft edges and details. I often combine collage, gouache, and ink and then finish everything up in Photoshop. With Photoshop, I feel I have a lot of freedom to experiment with colors and compositions, and I use it primarily to create my files for screen printing to make sure everything is clean and precise. I always enjoy learning new skills and working with new materials, but it’s also nice to have a set of tools that I can rely on and revisit like old friends, and to experiment with in new ways.