local craftsmen

@junk__drawer is the creative endeavor of resident Isla Vistan, Rachel Fadel. The third year UCSB student sells self-proclaimed “fashionable trash” of all varieties. From handmade jewelry to upcycled clothes to crocheted hats, this lady has it all! Rachel often sells her goods at local popups and vendor fairs, which she loves for their local community feel. The craftsman prides herself on her use of secondhand materials, sourcing everything from thrift stores or her own home.

@Junk__drawer was born when Rachel found herself crocheting custom hats for her friends and family. As the demand grew, she grew bored of creating the same item, as well as running to Michael’s each time for new yarn. In her best words, buying brand new materials “started to feel really gross.” Understandable! Rachel quickly pivoted to sourcing her materials from scraps and hasn’t looked back since. One of her most creative goods are rice bag purses and totes, made from recycled rice bags and other scraps.

Above all, Rachel wants you to know the importance of closing the loop. Think twice before sending your next empty rice bag to the landfill!

Cielo Gamboa began experimenting with jewelry creation and fashion styling at a young age, now manifested in her brand @essence.of.amphritite on Instagram. During COVID, she began making necklaces with a friend as a way to get more creative during quarantine. “I felt that creative bug! Both me and my friend are pisces you know.” Soon her hobby turned into a small business here in IV, where she started making unique custom pieces for her friends based off of their energy.

She transferred to UCSB from Seattle to bathe in the sunshine and creative energy from other students here on campus. “I love how many people make so many different things, it’s not just jewelry and crochet. I saw someone yesterday making their own surf wax! That’s what I love about the community of creatives in IV!” Most of the beads that she works with were gifted to her from a family friend, along with the tools used to make her beautiful necklaces. Her necklaces are all one of a kind, meaning you will never find the same piece anywhere ever!

Cielo focuses on sustainability within her business ventures, trying to source beads and other materials from small Etsy and local shops. She reuses old necklaces from thrift stores and repurposes them, incorporating old beads into new pieces to find new homes. As a fashion club member, Cielo had the chance to showcase some of her necklaces in the Spring Runway show, including a new experimental body chain piece.

The price range for the necklaces vary based on length and intricacy, ranging from $20 to $45 dollars. Cielo recently realized the importance of being paid for her artistry and labor, when it comes to creative businesses. “It is worth it to someone and it is worth it to me.” Since the necklaces are all unique, they are like art that decorates the body like a museum. “It’s basically art, and people can wear art. Wear it if it goes with an outfit or have it in your jewelry box for the rest of your life! It’s art!”

@Abaloneave is an up-and-coming jewelry brand that prioritizes sustainability first and foremost. UCSB third year Whitney Nester created Abalone Ave, beautiful seaside inspired jewelry, with a little help of her housemate Emmy Gorber.

Abalone Avenue was named after Whitney’s grandparents house in Newport Beach, off of Abalone Ave where she spent summers growing up, selling crafted glitter seashells off the seawall to tourists and locals. “Abalone shells follow me everywhere. After studying abroad I visited New Zealand, and every place I visited had an abalone shell even away from the shore.”

Whitney teamed up with her housemate Emmy, who had prior knowledge in metal working, to release a line of sterling silver sea glass rings that are water and tarnish resistant. Her jewelry takes direct inspiration from the ocean, honoring its beauty and femininity. “I don’t really wear makeup, so I decorate myself using jewelry. It adds a piece of feminine energy to my everyday style.”

Whitney and Emmy create sterling and gold plated earrings, gemstone necklaces, and sea glass rings at a moderate price. Abalone Ave sources their materials from etsy shops for good quality metals from native vendors, local gem sellers here in Santa Barbara, and unrecycled material found off of Isla Vista’s beaches. “I love using my own finds. It is fun to have something that is unique and special that no one else has.”

Whitney uses 100% compostable packaging for shipped orders and drawstring bags for local orders, but she hopes to upcycle old thrifted materials for her packaging in the future! In her own sustainable journey, Whitney has been vegan for 5 years and shops conscientiously through second hand thrift stores. “Sustainability is doing as much and the best that you can to reduce your impact on the environment.”

Sierra Schumann is a Comm major from Encinitas, CA whose created @sloopyclothing, a line of sweatshirts, t-shirts, and tanks (you name it), with screen printed designs. She took screen-printing classes in high school incorporate her love of art onto clothing. Sierra continued to create clothing here in IV, “as a perfect way to express my creativity while connecting with my community.” After starting a depop account in middle school, Sierra’s business almost on accident, developing into a brand distinct to Isla Vista.

Creativity serves as Sierras driving force, where her business reworking old clothing came after. Sierra describes her style and business something that is organic, “I am always looking for creative ways to be resourceful, explore new places, and think outside the box to try things (for fun or for my business) in an unconventional manner.” Her style is natural and freeflowing, leaving sun-bleached-esque designs that would put some artwork in the MOMA to shame! Some of her best creations were designed accidentally, just by experimenting with a new method or resource within her production process.

@Sloopyclothing can be found at pop up sales for GreeksGoGreek, Surfrider concerts, Thriftopia, and sometimes in front of the Arbor! Clothing prices can range from $15 to $50 depending on the article of clothing. To promote sustainability, Sierra can paint items you already own, a small price range from 1030 dollars.

Sierra has seen people all over campus wearing her designs, connecting her to a much larger community on UCSB’s campus. Her business fosters new connections with fellow students and vendors. For the future, Sierra plans to take it day-by-day, letting her business take her wherever it leads her. @Sloopyclothing is apart of Sierra, “I don’t know where this will lead me in the future, but I cannot imagine ever not doing Sloop.”