In the Making

Creativity and thoughtfully made goods abound at this studio–boutique.

For wonderfully scented soy candles and bespoke bouquets, there’s Roots & Blooms. If you’re looking for hand-thrown cookware, mugs, and dinnerware, check out the wood-fired creations from Kickwheel. Or perhaps natural wood cutting boards and candle holders from North Bay Creations are more your style. And for art and statement pieces that are sure to wow, Nicki Adani’s large-scale functional works and fine art, as well as Blake Aaseby’s textileinspired drawings, will more than suffice. Check each artist’s open studio hours prior to your visit.

FFrom their chic side-by-side studios, artists Siri Hansdotter and Jennifer Conner connect discerning customers with high-end handmade products. In the Making, their Petaluma workshop-meets-boutique, is two brands under one roof, a concept that, while popular internationally, is more rare in the States.

Hansdotter’s eponymous Siri Hansdotter Jewelry sells hand-carved and lost-wax cast wearables such as earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, ear cuffs, and more.

“It’s really fun to make these small, sacred pieces that people hand down to their children, traveling space and time,” says Hansdotter, who uses time-honored techniques to upcycle precious silver and gold metals.

Pennyroyal, Conner’s clean-line carryall company, uses vegetable-tanned leather, a natural leather tanning alternative beloved for the patina it develops over time and use. These heritage goods match functionality with elegance.

“Working with leather is a lot like working with wood in terms of burnishing the edges and making it glossy,” Conner explains. “I got obsessed with working with it—obsessed with making the perfect handbag.”

The In the Making collaboration is more than good business—the duo’s synergy is contagious.

“We wanted a space to highlight handmade goods and the process of making something by hand (hence the name) while also connecting with the community over the process,” Hansdotter says. In addition to their personal lines, she and Conner carefully curate a selection of fine products from other makers, such as slow-fashion apparel and sustainable home goods.

Both artists were initially drawn to Petaluma for its rolling hills, creative culture, and family-friendly amenities, plus, Hansdotter adds, its entrepreneur focus.

“Creating is very therapeutic for me, and I love that I live in a town where that is celebrated and supported.”

For Conner, that’s also inspiration.

“There’s a lot of creative juice in just speaking with other creatives,” she says. “A lot of people think Petaluma is a tiny craft town, but high-end and high-caliber artists call this place home, which offers something to aspire to.” –L.E.

Heritage Salvage

A storyteller builds his large-scale tales through reclamation and preservation.

There’s always a story at Heritage Salvage, and owner Michael “Bug” Deakin is oftentimes the illustrious teller. A purveyor of reclaimed building materials, flooring, paneling, and more, Deakin has a trained eye for preservation possibilities. For more than two decades, he and his team have sourced from around the world, giving new life to old by selling salvaged finds either directly to customers or refashioning them into custom-designed furniture.

A native of British Columbia who constructed his first home out of reclaimed materials in 1970, Deakin now calls Petaluma “my chosen city.”

“Within six months of being here, I met all of these incredible, creative people who not only embraced their talent, but were willing to share their maker-ness,” he recalls. “To me, that was amazing.”

Plus, he says, he values the city’s location. More than 120 Bay Area restaurants boast Deakin’s work, from bars and beams to mantels and tables.

Known as a treasure trove of inspiration, his chock-full, seek-and-find showroom and property feature a spacious lumber yard and a notable sea of stunning slabs.

“I love salvaging the heritage,” Deakin says. “Every time we build something, there’s a story with it.”

His tagline for Heritage Salvage is “practicing sustainable enthusiasm.” And whether he’s sharing his tales with a season of episodes on the DIY Network, or cheerfully volunteering to restore the local community theater, his enthusiasm is unmistakable. –L.E.

FUN FACT

Petaluma is home to nationally known producers including Alvarado Street Bakery, Clover Sonoma, and Strauss Family Creamery

One-Stop Shops

LOCAL, LOCAL, LOCAL IS THE FOCUS OF THESE FOOD-CENTRIC PURVEYORS.

Jupiter Foods is a socially responsible, downtown-based grocer that carries regionally grown and sourced produce and pantry staples. Several of the food purveyors featured in the store are from right here in Petaluma. Perfect for grabbing a tasty treat to take home with you or curating a DIY picnic, Jupiter Foods is all about supporting the local food system and community.

Further afield, Rusty Hinges Ranch is a regenerative farm that hosts a monthly public food pickup that showcases locally grown produce and food items. The farm (located on Chileno Valley Road) hosts regular workshops, like art journaling and wreath making. And if the general store (open Tuesday–Thursday afternoons) doesn’t entice you to visit, then the fleet of mini donkeys and pigs will.