The Store at Mia is delighted to collaborate with west elm LOCAL to host a pop-out shop at the museum February 4-May 22, 2016, in conjunction with “State of the Art: Discovering American Art Now.”
Running parallel to the curatorial vision behind “State of the Art,” which represents the best working artists from across America to offer a diverse snapshot of contemporary art, the retail partnership highlights The Store at Mia’s commitment to local talent. The west elm LOCAL initiative connects customers to the artists and makers in their communities through local assortments in all 74 of West Elm’s North American Stores. The program supports more than 500 local artisans, makers and designers across the United States, showcasing their unique stories and product collections.
The Mia pop-out shop features 14 makers from across the United States — including four from Minnesota – from the LOCAL collection, selected to give museum visitors the opportunity to directly connect with the products of some of the best creative talent across the nation.
Learn more about the makers and their products by clicking the images below, then visit The Store at Mia in person to shop our curated selection of the best of the best.
All proceeds from in-store purchases support the museum and members save 20% every day.
The Store at Mia + west elm LOCAL pop-out shop is open during museum hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 10-5, Thursday and Friday 10-9, Saturday 10-5, Sunday 11-5.
B D B is a Brooklyn based design studio offering functional ceramics made by hand by founder Re Jin Lee. Since 2008.
WE CREATE: Hand built home accessories and jewelry holders.
WE USE: Clay and glaze.
BASED IN: Brooklyn, NY
FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT: Five leaves for breakfast, Grady’s for ice coffee, Charlotte’s Patisserie for éclairs.
DESIGN SHOULD BE: Simple, functional and forever.
SEE MORE OF WHAT WE MAKE: west elm LOCAL, Instagram
MAKER BIOGRAPHY: B D B ’s Re Jin Lee was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil to South Korean parents. This combination of cultures has had a great influence on her design aesthetics. After receiving a BA in Fashion Design and certificates from Central Saint Martins, London College of Design and Instituto Europeu di Design, Re Jin moved to Los Angeles, CA to pursue her career in fashion design and styling. Through fashion and a move to New York city, Re Jin discovered her passion for home and product design. Like her Brazilian and Korean heritage, fashion has had a major influence in her design aesthetics and also the way she creates and presents her collections.
Makers featured in The Store at Mia + west elm LOCAL pop-out include:
Oh Dier, Fresh design for a modern life.
WE CREATE: fun & functional home décor—toys, signs, and commemorative boxes.
WE USE: wood, brass, and acrylic.
BASED IN: West St. Paul, Minnesota
FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT: Dodge Nature Center.
DESIGN SHOULD BE: playful, considered, and practical.
SEE MORE OF WHAT WE MAKE: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
MAKER BIOGRAPHY: West St. Paul natives and husband-and-wife team William and Katie Dohman of Oh Dier are married to each other—and to design. William began his career in architecture, and Katie as a style editor.
Oh Dier focuses on finely crafted lifestyle items made from the best—and often upcycled—materials, with an emphasis on wood goods that often commemorate life’s biggest milestones. After all, our possessions tell our life story.
Oh Dier has been recognized by Bon Appétit, Martha Stewart Weddings, Real Simple, Midwest Home, Rue, and How magazines, as well as Apartment Therapy, Design*Sponge, and Decor8, among other design notables.
Monroe Trades
WE CREATE: Rustic colored hooks, industrial style coffee tables and end tables
WE USE: Industrial pipes and distressed wood
BASED IN: Brooklyn, NY
FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT: Supper, New York Iron Works Salvage yard
DESIGN SHOULD BE: Colorful, Aged, and Functional
SEE MORE OF WHAT WE MAKE: west elm LOCAL, Twitter, Facebook
MAKER BIOGRAPHY: Inspired by Brooklyn and vintage treasures, Patrick Glynn creates industrial pipe hooks and distressed raw-metal furnishings.
After moving to New York in 2011, I became inspired by the life, energy and unique culture of each individual neighborhood in my city. My work reflects my love of the city. I started building furniture for my apartment after moving to New York with two suitcases and a thirst to create. Once people started showing interest in my work, I began selling on Etsy. After a short while I decided to turn my work into a business.
Molly M Designs
WE CREATE: lasercut coasters and prints
WE USE: felt, paper, and fabric
BASED IN: San Francisco, California
FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT: Corona Heights Park
DESIGN SHOULD BE: beautiful and playful
SEE MORE OF WHAT WE MAKE: west elm LOCAL, Website, Instagram
MAKER BIOGRAPHY: Molly McGrath is a designer based in the Mission district of San Francisco. She is professionally trained as an architect, and after using a laser cutter to make architectural models, she recognized the machine’s unique potential to make jewelry and other designed objects. Her collection includes jewelry and homewares.
Molly designs and produces all of the work in San Francisco and is focused on conceptual integrity, material exploration, and figuring out new ways to use her laser cutters. Her approach to design is heavily influenced by her background in architecture – a synthesis of concept, form, material, details, connections, and use.
She is inspired by graphic design, architecture, textiles, and nature and runs her studio in the werkstatte tradition – a hybrid of design, craft, and tech with a focus on the applied arts.
Mod-Dog
WE CREATE: modern silhouette art prints, drawn and gilded by hand
WE USE: Cotton Rag Paper, Archival inks, Gold and Silver Leaf
BASED IN: Saint Paul, MN
FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT: Como Park
DESIGN SHOULD BE: liveable, happy, mod!
SEE MORE OF WHAT WE MAKE: Facebook, Website
MAKER BIOGRAPHY: Mod-Dog is the project of two graphic designers and one very demanding dachshund. John and Kari Finkler created a few fine art prints to celebrate friends’ cherished dogs and cats, and have expanded to over a hundred modern silhouettes for every décor. They capture the simple beauty of animals and nature in vivid modern colors and meticulously hand-gilded prints.
M.F.E.O. Made For Each Other is a joint effort between husband and wife to handcraft sustainable materials into legacy pieces for the home.
WE CREATE: Handcrafted housewares and furniture
WE USE: Reclaimed wood + sustainably harvested maple europly
BASED IN: Los Angeles, CA
FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT: The Huntington Botanical Gardens
DESIGN SHOULD BE: timeless, functional, and conversational
SEE MORE OF WHAT WE MAKE: west elm LOCAL, Website, Facebook, Twitter
MAKER BIOGRAPHY: Soon after meeting, Aaron and Claire dreamt about starting their own design-based business. A love of mid-century modern along with a shared interest in sustainability and a living mindful lifestyle, the couple decided to launch their home living collection.
The stars quickly aligned for the new venture when Aaron’s grandfather offered them his 100 year old barn as a material resource.
M.F.E.O. was born, a joint effort to handcraft reclaimed and sustainable materials into legacy pieces for the home.
The family barn was carefully dismantled piece by piece and is still featured in many of M.F.E.O.’s original products.
Marvin Freitas
WE CREATE: Furniture & Home Goods
WE USE: Solid hardwoods, metal and glass
BASED IN: Minneapolis, MN
FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT: Minnehaha Falls & Sea Salt
DESIGN SHOULD BE: bold, clean, elegant and minimal.
SEE MORE OF WHAT WE MAKE: Website, Instagram
MAKER BIOGRAPHY: Marvin Freitas is a furniture maker based in Minneapolis, MN.
Marvin’s inspiration began as a young boy watching his grandfather make things in his small garage shop in Galicia, Spain.
Influenced greatly by the organic rhythm of contemporary Spanish design, Marvin’s pieces possess a simple sophistication. Each piece is designed and fabricated by Marvin with attention to detail.
Louise Gray
WE CREATE: Contemporary Quilts
WE USE: 100% cotton fabric, batting, thread
BASED IN: Minneapolis, MN
FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT: Lucia’s Restaurant
DESIGN SHOULD BE: innovative
SEE MORE OF WHAT WE MAKE: west elm LOCAL, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Tumblr
MAKER BIOGRAPHY: Louise Gray reinterprets the tradition of quilting through contemporary design, enhancing the living space for the modern, detail oriented, and socially conscious. Carefully assembled in the U.S.A., each quilt is handcrafted by local artisans. We see our pieces as a choice and an investment, objects that contemplate the future and inspire and refine the way we live. Louise Gray strives to make products that withstand the passing of time in both design and ethos, being mindful that life needs to be a little cozier.
Little Seed Farm
WE CREATE: Farmstead Milk Soaps using milk from our dairy herd
WE USE: Raw Goat’s Milk & Organic Essential Oils
BASED IN: Lebanon, TN
FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT: With the goats in our pastures
DESIGN SHOULD BE: Inspiring and simple (even better if it makes you smile).
SEE MORE OF WHAT WE MAKE: west elm LOCAL, Instagram, Website, Facebook
MAKER BIOGRAPHY: One night at dinner in NYC, while we were still dating, James started asking very intense questions about my aspirations in life. His inquisition revealed that neither of us wanted to remain in the city on our current career paths in. We had achieved our childhood aspirations in fashion and finance and were ready for something more fulfilling. That brief conversation sparked a life-changing adventure and less than two years later we were married and moving to an abandoned farm in rural Tennessee. Little Seed Farm began in 2011 with two dairy goats and is now composed of over 30 goats and growing. Our herd is one of very few 100% grassfed herds in the country. We work with nature in our farming practices, rotationally grazing across our 84 acre farm to restore and maintain the depleted soil through organic land stewardship. The milk from our herd is used in the soaps and the herbs grown in our garden are infused into the oils of our skincare products. Our land and animals are managed using “beyond organic” methods designed to preserve our watersheds, improve land fertility, and maintain a healthy herd without the use of antibiotics, hormones or other treatments.
Hemlock & Heather
WE CREATE: Reclaimed Texas Wall Hangings
WE USE: 100% Recycled & up-cycled wood found in & around Austin, Texas
BASED IN: Austin, Texas
FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT: Gibson Bar & Matt’s Famous El Rancho
DESIGN SHOULD BE: Collaborative, Inspiring, & Thoughtful
SEE MORE OF WHAT WE MAKE: west elm LOCAL, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Website
MAKER BIOGRAPHY: Austin-based husband and wife team, Kristopher and Kelley Denby are best known for their one-of-a-kind Reclaimed Texas Wall Hangings, a concept that was born when Kelley asked Kris to build “a wood Texas” for a benefit for her home town of West, Texas following the West fertilizer plant explosion in April of 2013. They are proud to say that each Texas is made from 100% recycled, up-cycled and castaway wood pieces, found in and around their city. Every single piece of wood, down to the plywood is 100% reclaimed.
Happy Habitat by Karrie Kaneda
WE CREATE: Colorful, patterned throws.
WE USE: 80% recycled cotton/20% acrylic
BASED IN: Kansas City, MO. But technically just across the border on the Kansas side.
FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT: My house of course. but if I leave I like to hang out at Room 39.
DESIGN SHOULD BE: simple, useful and happy.
SEE MORE OF WHAT WE MAKE: west elm LOCAL, Website , Instagram, Facebook
MAKER BIOGRAPHY: I’m in love with color. I just can’t get enough: the endless combinations, color values, colors on fabrics, on walls, in nature. Color makes me smile. I suppose that’s where my love of design started, back when I was 8 and I learned all about the color wheel. To this day, that color wheel spins around in my head from morning to night and then in my dreams.
So, that first color wheel eventually led me to the University of Kansas where I took Fine Arts classes, which I found to be too competitive (pathetic, I know), so I ended up with a BA in Spanish.
After a decade teetering on the creative side of the corporate world, I decided to give it a go at my true love: creating. It was fate the day I discovered recycled cotton. I could mix and match colors and patterns, while offering a useful, family-friendly, earth-friendly product. I taught myself some graphic design, learned how to start a blog and website, and Happy Habitat was born. I’m still learning, but as I forge new territories, I remind myself to stay true to what got me started: exploring pattern, color and while being kind to mother nature.
Good That Matters
WE CREATE: BirdProject Soap. Goods for good, Made in the USA
WE USE: Eco friendly, regionally sourced ingredients
BASED IN: New Orleans, Louisiana
FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT: City Park, with a picnic from 1,000 Figs, & a bottle of vino from Swirl
DESIGN SHOULD BE: Inspiring, meaningful, & beautiful.
SEE MORE OF WHAT WE MAKE: west elm LOCAL, Website, Instagram, Twitter
MAKER BIOGRAPHY: Tippy Tippens is the Founder and Chief Eternal Optimist of Matter (and the BirdProject). She is a social entrepreneur, designer, gandhiwarmer, and is passionate about helping to build sustainable growth, making the objects that we live with us work for us instead of against us and ultimately wishing to contribute to greater happiness. She is honored to be in the GOOD 100, 2013, named as one of 100 people pushing the world forward.
In September of 2010, she moved from Brooklyn to New Orleans after the BP Oil Spill in order to create BirdProject. Matter got its start on Kickstarter & Tippy is also a 2011 alumni of Propeller’s Fellowship & New Ventures Accelerator program. She was inspired to form the company upon developing BirdProject, where she saw the need for socially inspired products that sustainably and poetically fulfill our basic needs.
Matter is excited to be one of the first six Benefit Corporations in the state of Louisiana, which now exist in 31 states. B Corps use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. This progressive business structure helps to define & report our positive impacts, reinforce the benefits of a triple bottom line business, attract impact investors, and stand out in a dense marketplace as a company whose basis in business is for social good.
Eric Trine
WE CREATE: Furniture and Home Accessories
WE USE: Metal, wood, leather, wool
BASED IN: Long Beach, CA
FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT: E.J. Malloys
DESIGN SHOULD BE: Accessible
SEE MORE OF WHAT WE MAKE: west elm LOCAL, Twitter, Instagram
MAKER BIOGRAPHY: I’m Eric Trine, and I’m an object-based studio artist and designer. In 2013, I completed a Master’s degree in Applied Craft and Design through the Oregon College of Art and Craft. Upon graduation, I returned back to California to develop and launch a series of products for the home. My pieces fall in line with the traditional California modern aesthetic—simple, casual and playful.
Bubo Handmade – Maker of Handmade Leather Accessories
WE CREATE: Leather goods
WE USE: Leather!
BASED IN: Nashville, TN
FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT: Shelby Bottoms Greenway
DESIGN SHOULD BE: Functional and Beautiful!
SEE MORE OF WHAT WE MAKE: west elm LOCAL, Facebook, Instagram
MAKER BIOGRAPHY: I have always had a love for handbags. I loved (and still do) scouring antique shops and junk stores for vintage pieces and dissect their construction.
While pursuing my undergrad in Literature, I would often find myself putting off my reading and writing papers to sit at my sewing machine to make small bags and wallets for friends and family (or just for myself!). Later, I found out about the Accessory Design program at the Savannah College of Art and Design in my home state of Georgia. I decided to return to school and pursue a Masters degree… and haven’t looked back since. Everyday is a dream where I get to wake up and do what I really love: working with my hands to create beautiful, sustainable leather pieces that I hope will provide someone with years of use and enjoyment!
