When we at Make Good opened our doors in 2010, a core part of our vision was to represent the remarkable artisans, makers, creators and designers on both sides of our border. Inspired by what we recognized as a “conversation” of creativity and innovation happening in both San Diego and Tijuana—an ethos that transcended our militarized border wall—we sought to represent makers from both cities. The creativity and innovation among this group transcended the border, so we figured we needed to do likewise.

Six years have passed since Make Good opened, and this trans-border practice has taken us down amazing paths and introduced to equally amazing and inspiring people, many of who have become our dear friends.

Today, we’re excited to announce what we see as a natural expression of this idea of transcending borders. Make Good is partnering with the San Diego Diplomacy Council to host a bright young entrepreneur from Latin America, Marcos Meza. Part of the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative funded by the U.S. State Department, Marcos’ line of business is similar to ours, and he’ll be working with us for a month, learning about what we do and bringing some of his own insight to the table. If you stop in the shop in October/November, make sure and say hello to Marcos! 

Check out the video from San Diego Diplomacy Council:

Last year the local nonprofit 1-to-1 Movement kicked off the first edition of America's Finest Film Fest, featuring locally produced short films by San Diego filmmakers. As part of the film festival, 1-to-1 is gracious enough to include 50 vendors representing local makers, of which we'll be one. 

It's a great time of local films, food, drink and some of San Diego's finest makers, and it happens Saturday, August 8th at 5pm at Irwin Jacobs Hall, 5535 Morehouse Dr., San Diego, Ca.. 

Get tickets here.

Here's a preview...

Okay, suffice to say we're feelin' the love. It's been a whirlwind week of being featured in San Diego Magazine's annual Best of San Diego, My So Cal'd Life's feature on "Off-the-beaten-path Guide to 24 Hours in San Diego," and this morning we were on Channel 6's "San Diego Living" show as part of the 1-to-1 Movement's America's Finest Film Festival. 

Next up, on August 2, Destination San Diego (Cox channel 4) will include a segment filmed with Sophia of Make Good on San Diego's local arts movement.  

We were honored to be included in 1to1 Movements' segment on San Diego Channel 6 "San Diego Living" this morning. Make Good is participating in 1to1's annual local film festival, America's Finest Film Fest, and will be one of fifty vendors at that event. 

Stoked to be in My Socal'd Life's feature on an Off-the-Beaten-Path Guide to 24 Hours in San Diego! Mentioned alongside our neighbors and collaborators, Junc.Life and Bad Madge, we can't think of a better honor than to be included in such an insider's take on where to go and what to do in San Diego. 

We've had shout-outs from a variety of publications, organizations and individuals, and it always feels great. Being included in San Diego Magazine's "Best of San Diego 2015" list is especially sweet. When we started this experiment we call Make Good, one driving motivation was that the local handcrafting artisans of San Diego and Tijuana we're represented well here. It was a struggling movement still below the radar, where remarkable talented individuals were creating and innovating, yet had few avenues to connect with people who wanted to support their efforts and buy local. 

Since we opened our doors five years ago, we're thrilled to see how local artisans are increasingly being championed citywide. New stores are opening, more craft fairs are happening and the people of San Diego increasingly show support for the local artisan movement. 

We're also glad to see the support of local moving beyond the realm of popular culture and into the mainstream understanding of what is good in the marketplace. Knowing where it's made, by whom and how are increasingly asked by conscious individuals who recognize the significant impact they have when choosing what to buy. And we think that's pretty good.

Thank you San Diego Magazine, artisans of San Diego and Tijuana and the good people of these twin cities for giving us a place to do what we love. 

Fueled by scones baked that morning at Rebecca's, bloody mary's and mimosas, and led by talented artisans Lizette (from City Heights) and Liucija (from Tijuana), it was a make-fest of the first order at Make Good. Etsy provided some nifty swag, participants received 20% off discounts in the store and the creativity was overflowing. Can't wait to do it again!

Come on out and learn a new craft skill from a few of our talented San Diego and Tijuana artists our Etsy Craft Party is Saturday June 6 from 11-3pm.. We'll have brunch snacks and tasty drinks. It's drop in style, come by, make your crafts and hang out as long as you like. You'll be able to take a few of your very own handmade wonders home with you and meet some new maker friends!

RSVP

https://www.etsy.com/local/craftparty/event/24671390760/make-good-etsy-craft-party-june-6

and

Pay your $10 fee here. We will put your band on the will call list. No need to printout a ticket.

http://www.themakegood.com/store/p27/Make_Good_Etsy_Craft_Party_Ticket.html

See you on June 6!

The very talented DJ Ala, who helped set the vibe during our recent Remade event, produced a custom soundtrack specifically for us. Listen or download. 

Those that know us know how locally-focused we are. All our merchandise is sourced only from the creative and hard-working makers, craftsman and artisans in the San Diego and Tijuana region. That might make us sound a bit provincial, or even anti big-business. There's some big guys out there though that have impressed and inspired us. 

Etsy is our digitally-based kindred spirit, and we're huge fans of theirs. Countless customers have walked into Make Good and remarked that we're the brick-and-mortar equivalent of Etsy, a compliment we cherish. And American Express OPEN, with their Shop Small program that champions small businesses, has made a huge impact in raising awareness of the importance of supporting shops like Make Good.

So it was an incredible honor that we were recently selected for a store makeover by American Express OPEN and Etsy. Rue Magazine was selected to provide some re-design consultation, and we shut down last week to remake Make Good. 

We've now re-opened the shop and are preparing for a big celebration. On Saturday, February 7th from 3-9pm, we'll host a Meet Your Maker event at Make Good, called Remade. In addition to a dozen Make Good artisans being present and selling their handcrafted goods, we'll have amazing food by Tacos la Mezcla, coffee by Coffee & Tea Collective, an Amigo photo booth, music by DJ Ala and a live performance by Erika Davies. The first 25 attendees will receive some truly cool swag by Make Good artisans, and we'll feature a few raffles during the event for a chance to win some other great handcrafted merch from Make Good. 

And most importantly, a few stellar makers from Make Good will be present selling their handcrafted goodness:
· Alpaca India
· Cali Sunshine Soapery
· Cheshire Salvage
· Fawa
· Grey Theory Mill
· Harken Press
· Juanita Banuelos
· McAdams Co
· Pippi Lane 
· Revetro
· Urban Industrial Craft
· Val's Art Studio

Make sure and sign up for the event here.