nice to meet you: yokomono studio

yokomono studio, SB giveaway winner, fellow etsian and papernstitch exhibitor, specializes in "modern bags and home accessories with a Japanese aesthetic." everything, from start to finish, is hand-crafted in Berkeley, California.

now, what exactly does "yokomono" mean? "yoko" is her name and "mono" is Japanese for "things, articles and objects" - simply put, "hand-crafted "mono" for your life"...



what intrigues me the most is yoko's attention to detail. take a look at the stitching!





the polopolo multi pockets pouch and dokodemo bag in bag are my most favorite! both are extremely versatile and multi-functional (something i look for, as a mom)!

here is a little more that i learned about yoko...

01. tell us a little about yourself...

I'm a Japanese native and have been living in the Bay Area for about 15 years. I'm married with an 8 year old daughter & a little mutt dog named Lulu. We live in Berkeley, California.

02. how did you get started? when? obstacles?

I've always liked making stuff. My earliest "creative" memory is of sewing stuffed animals when I was around 10. After graduating from college and embarking on a wildly uncreative life as a software engineer my daughter came along. As I imagine is the case with a lot of new mom's, this sparked a creative re-birth. I started making clothes for her and bags for me to carry around all of the requisite baby stuff. When I got laid off last year from a software company, I decided it was time to start Yokomono Studio before I got too old. Time management has been the most challenging thing for me - handling house work, time with my daughter, and relaxation time. I cannot seem to find time for that last one!

03. where do you seek inspiration?

Inspiration might be too strong a word but I really enjoy combining the logic and simplicity of the so-called "mid-century" aesthetic with my own ingrained Japanese design sensibilities.

04. what does the future hold for Yokomono?

The future? What's that? I'm still trying to figure out what's going to happen today to think too much about the future! But seriously, just being able to continue doing what I'm doing I would consider to be the greatest blessing. I love finding new materials to work with so I'm on a constant quest to find new things to incorporate into my designs.

05. can you offer advice for other first time shop owners?

I think that being surrounded by good people who are constantly offering up encouragement is very important. When you first get into this you will likely be racked with doubts on a fairly regular basis. If not for the encouragement I've received from others I'm sure Yokomono Studio would have fallen by wayside long ago.

This really goes hand in hand with the whole cliché of "believing in yourself:. Cliché but nonetheless very very true.

06. if you could pick one place to be right now where would it be and why?

Luckily I don't need to go far. Our backyard deck with a nice little wine,
some good food, and a sunset over the bay. Pretty self-explanatory I think.

e: yoko@yokomonostudio.com
w: http://yokomonostudio.com
b: http://yokomono.blogspot.com/
f: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yokomono-Studio/72317777584
t: http://twitter.com/yokomonostudio
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yoko is celebrating her one year anniversary! head on over to her shop and use the code SWEETBEAKER10 to save 10% on ANY purchase through the end of november (11.31.09)!

thanks for the interview, yoko! it's great to 'meet' you!

if you'd like to submit a shop for the Nice To Meet You collection, send an email on over to sweetbeaker@gmail.com!

images from Yokomono Studio