“Growing up in a small Texas town and visiting Austin often, it seemed more laid back than other big cities, and just a place to be yourself. People are friendly and encouraging. They don't mind if you dress wild; they don't mind if you're weird.
Touring artist studios during East Austin Studio Tour had a lasting effect on me as a teen and I aspired to have my own studio in East Austin one day - and I now do! I started as an undergrad at the University of Texas in 2006, just making a bit of money with my hobby, then a few years later I went to my first trade show and got picked up by stores all over the US.
I love making things directly inspired by Austin nature and culture such as bats, tacos, chips and queso, Bluebonnets, etc.
You can find our designs either online, or at our little storefront on East 5th (the actual address is 1800 E. 4th, Suite 173, but we're facing the railroad tracks on 5th!)"
Locals love wearing their Austin devotion...
Gabrielle Schreiber wearing Vinca's Chips and Queso Pearl Yellow necklace, $40, at Taquero Mucho, 508 West Street
taqueromuchoaustin.com
"I feel so fortunate, as a foodie, to live in a place like Austin, nowhere else in the US compares for variety and quality. I eat out a lot - too much probably - and it is always a hard decision to decide where to go. I love coming to Taquero Mucho because it still feels very much Old Austin, which is getting harder and harder to find these days. It's low key but cute, it has lots of personality but it doesn't try to0 hard. It has its own vibe - and the chips and queso are awesome."
Sunshine Spaeth, 9, and Matilda Moffett, 8, wearing Vinca's Milk and Cookie Dangle Earrings, $28, at Tiny’s Milk and Cookies, 1515 W 35th Street.
tinyboxwoods.com
Sunshine: “Tiny’s has the most amazing cookies and treats in the city. We started walking there during Covid, because you can order outside without having to go inside anywhere. Their cinnamon rolls are delicious. It’s fun to go with my friend, after we’ve had dinner, and we’ve earned something for dessert.”
Matilda: “The people that work here are really nice. I like sitting on the steps, or the wall, under the tree with my friends on a hot night, having their homemade ice cream with a fun cookie in the shape of a cactus or Longhorn. The artwork is cute and fun to take photos with my friends.”
Lauren Fosen wearing Vinca's Cactus earrings, $28, at Shoal Creek Nursery, 2710 Hancock Drive
shoalcreeknursey.com
“Gardening takes me back to my roots, growing up on a farm in Illinois, so I love that this place in a two-minute drive from my house. Tending to flowers feels good for my soul, relaxing, soaking in the earth. One of my favorite things about Texas is the wildflowers on the roadside every Spring like a colorful carpet. I also loved my big prickly pear outside my first family home here in Austin. These earrings remind of it! It made me so happy, huge and flowering bright yellow every year.”
