6 Need to Know Makers From LA’s Hippest Festival, Mercado Sagrado

A successful festival encapsulates the community, celebrating its members and the creative, beating pulse of the artists; while honoring its environment. Nestled in the rocky peaks of Malibu Canyon is Mercado Sagrado, an annual fair dedicated to a natural, art-infused lifestyle that embodies the heart of Topanga living. A melding of an art, craft, music, and design-pop up, it’s perhaps best described as a wellness event teeming with organic eats, natural healing, inspiring talks, and crafty workshops. Curated by Heather Culp and Carly Jo Morgan, the festival exudes earthy inspiration with stunning vignettes of vendors tucked within the old-western style town on Paramount Ranch. It’s all about empowerment for the soul, and this year’s event was nothing short of mesmerizing. Here are some of our favorite up-and-coming makers from the event that need to be on your radar, as well as some extra beautiful moments. 

 

Stephanie Intelisano

New to the festival this year is Oakland-based Stephanie Intelisano with a fresh batch of ceramics, in a departure from her original body of work. Transitioning from her striped bowls and circular-patterned mugs, she’s shifted into a modern, minimalist feel with yummy hues like peach butter, olive tree, and green sand. She presents a collection of chic staples—mugs, espresso cups, pitchers, and bowls—in addition to canisters with playful handles, sleek planters, and chillum sets that are almost too pretty smoke out of. At the event, she says she found her market and plans to come back again. “Mercado Sagrado was a really special market for me. The clientele was engaging and warm, and I had the opportunity to connect with many of my fellow vendors too.” // stephanieintelisano.com

 

Crystal and Wood

Harnessing the power of crystals, Bianca Greene fuses stones with wood in both juxtaposition and harmony. Representing the energy of the earth, she seeks out existing forms found naturally in the wood and excavates them in order to draw a sort of cosmic map between ourselves and the world. Greene melds the two opposing finishing processes and then adds a blessing from a shaman. The result is staggering. Working with Emma Goldman of Collective Lotus Healings, she instills energy and intention into each piece through a ceremonial process to create stunning works of art that can be used to serve food or hung up on the wall. Each one is created with intention. Think healing cheese boards with stunning stone inlays; black walnut with a labradorite moon to amplify affirmations and the inner eye; black walnut with five circular agates in green, blue, white, grey, and pink to bring emotional, physical, and intellectual balance; and black walnut with hand-crushed amethyst and white stone inlay to facilitate conscious connections with spirit guides and aid in emotional stability and communication. Greene also creates wood burned tables on live edge slabs for magically powerful pieces. // crystalandwood.com

 

KKIBO

Jo Abellera describes her fiber art process to be similar to that of a sculptor working with clay. She molds cotton, wool, alpaca, jute and hemp into multifaceted, multilayered bags, knitwear, and homewares; heavy with texture and movement, while at the same time remaining entirely usable in the day-to-day. There is a sense of soothing harmony to every piece—a ruffle caftan shifts with the current of a flowing river while the intricate patterns in her macrame market bag is balanced by the simplicity of circular rattan handles; a soft, bubbling wall hanging fuses tight and rolling textures, while her bamboo envelope exudes structure and geometric form. Originally inspired by a passage from Joseph Campbell and the birth of her first child, it was imagery of young women in ceremonial costumes made of bark that led her to make sweaters. She then went on to name both her child and company after the Japanese word for ‘hope.’ Though she creates mostly from her studio in the San Bernardino mountains, her work also sometimes takes her to other parts of the world including Bolivia and the Philippines. // kkibo.net

 

Native + Nomad

The work of Megan Slawson feel as if you’ve had an artifact placed into your hands. Composed of raw materials, natural found objects, and handcrafted elements, the designs are largely focused on organic and primitive forms. Each piece is an exploration, applying design practice to create sculptural works of art and adornment. Think: monochrome horseshoe-shaped ceramics with flowing horsehair; gourdes with geometric cutouts and tiered fringe; and necklaces, tribal in form, calling to mind bones, shells, and stone. They are primitive, and yet maintain a modern edge, wearable for the neoteric bohemian. // nativeandnomad.com

 

Earth and Element

Organic shapes and hues make up Elizabeth Di Prinzio’s soothing collection of hand-thrown ceramics. The actress turned photo opps director turned potter lives and works in Topanga Canyon perfecting her self-taught craft. With an emphasis on natural elements, her mauve, alabaster, and clay hued cups, bowls, plates, pourers, and vases feature thoughtful details like gilded moon phases, a low, whimsical handle, a winding stripe over a round belly, or a gloriously imperfect edge. They feel of the earth, meant to carry nourishing eats, and are absolutely picture-perfect. // earthandelement.com

 

Sam Roberts LA

There’s nothing that quite compares to a custom hat. These are shaped in the Ojai river by John Dennis and his wife, and then are hand-painted and embroidered. Picture a labyrinth of poppies swirling around the brim, beaded snakes slithering up towards the crown, and psychedelic dreamscapes cloaking the entire hat—they truly are extraordinary statement pieces. Channeling their love for vintage clothing and old textiles, they recently launched their collection of hats, clothing, and beaded and sewn necklaces named after their first son, Sam; and opened their first store at 900. E. Ojai Ave. // samrobertsla.com

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Photography by Jen Woo