our writers

NICOLE STEVENSON (AKA RANDOM NICOLE)

nicole stevenson (aka random nicole) hails from the little city of orange, california where she started crafting things at an early age. she started her first crafty business at age 9, selling handmade stationary out of an old refrigerator box (decorated to look like a shop) on her front lawn. she then moved onto to edible treats… creating and selling chocolates in front of her dad’s barber shop.

crafting as a business was put on temporary hold when she discovered writing…leading to hours of furious scribbling in composition notebooks.

while attending graduate school for creative writing in san francisco, nicole started painting. after her first art show sold out, she moved down to los angeles to make a go of it as an artist. she landed on venice beach, selling her mixed media paintings on the boardwalk with other local artisans. tourists and locals walking by often paused to adore her simple illustrative paintings but kept saying, “where can I put it?” that’s when she changed gears and began making art for people to wear instead of hang on the wall. random nicole, her 10 year old line of unique art-inspired clothing was born.

nicole now divides her time and creativity between: 1. creating and selling one of a kind things for her line: random nicole. 2. co-producing patchwork indie arts & crafts festival a bi-annual southern california event featuring emerging makers of art, clothing, food, music and more with her aunt delilah snell. 3. teaching DIY workshops and teaching crafts privately for everything from birthday parties to corporate team building. 4. consulting and doing custom design work for individuals and businesses. 5. writing short stories for her in progress MFA in creative writing

“our world is hyperspeed- taking the time to sit down and make something solid with your hands is a gift. crafting alone or with others brings back a sense of community and pride in the handmade.” – nicole s.

VARCI VARTANIAN

a bit about varci: no stranger to the crafting scene, my mom & i were regulars at the sugar plum fairy art & crafts festival in the ‘80s- perusing miles of glittery puff paint t-shirts and tole painted easter bunnies.   i still can’t bear throw away my 10th birthday gift/handmade masterpiece- a baby pink sweatshirt whose zip-up collar and decorative front were fashioned from the waistband and back pockets of recycled calvins.  unfortunately, this translated into being the dorky kid in the corner with a needlepoint kit at most family parties.  thanks mom.

now that i’m all grown up- i realize my best work is done with pen and paper.  i’m a freelance journalist covering everything from the southern california art scene to health science in publications like riviera, artillery and the daily muse.   my appreciation for handmade still runs deep-  when I’m not the referee for my 2 year olds toddler throw-downs, you can find me sewing sequins to santa’s beard for that christmas stocking I’m never going to finish.   here’s to baby pink and the beginning of a beautiful relationship. -varci

CLAUDIA BARRAGAN

a bit about claudia: i live in downtown los angeles and have been here for almost 6 years in a fabulous little loft in the heart of a vibrant city. i am hooked on food (cooking, eating, collecting) as well as enjoy sewing, crafting and interior decorating. i also *heart* candy. my collection of lollipops (both real confections and sweet fakes) in my house is pushing 100 pieces!

so, i’ll be here on the site blogging about some of the interesting goings on in los angeles as well as sharing new recipes and cocktails. i hope you all have as much fun reading as i do writing! – claudia

SETH STANTON

a bit about seth: coming soon