Our Move Across the Country
I put a lot of thought into everything that I purchase, and really it's all about the details for me. Slow, intentional craftsmanship. Locally made. Giving back. Products made with love, and by artisans with a passion for their craft. I knew that eventually our workshop had to come back to my backyard...
When I started Sakura Bloom in 2006 my vision was clear and has stayed true through all 11 years. Beautiful baby carriers, made in-house using only the finest, all-natural textiles. Small batch production, high attention to detail. Supporting local economies by partnering with the small indie-boutiques dotting out downtowns. Letting our customers feel our fibers, try on our carriers, and get that one-on-one support that can only come from your local mom and pop shop. This doesn't happen overnight though. There was lots of hard work ahead...
The journey started as most start-ups do - with me sewing my first carriers with little Teja strapped to me, wearing a Babyhawk no less ;) **details surrounding why that matters below!
Shortly thereafter, I recruited extra hands with my friend Emilia, who helped me hand stitch each sling tirelessly for the first 5 years as we grew. Through our sewing machine purchases, we developed a relationship with a local workshop in Massachusetts where our carriers were handmade with care for the next 6 years.
During those years a lot happened. We had another baby. I hired Eric (my husband) full time, and at that point we realized that we could technically live anywhere so we packed up the kids and moved cross-country to Boulder, CO for a couple of years before finally settling here in San Diego in 2014.
Since our move out west - It's been a whirlwind. New team members. New products. New studio and retail space. oh yeah -- and Brand. New. Workshop. **And who's the head of our production? None other than Babyhawk founder and my good friend - Robyn Bolen. I have goosebumps just writing this!
I haven't really had the time to sit down and think about this big move let alone share it with you all until now. Today, every part of your carrier, from coming up with seasonal concepts, to prototyping and testing, manufacturing, shipping, and customer service all happen lovingly, and hyper-locally from our workshop in Oceanside, California.
If you've been with us for all these years, I hope you know our family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts. If you're just joining us for the ride, I am so happy to have you a part of the community.
Over the next few weeks we will be introducing our own extended Sakura Bloom staff-fam so you know the faces behind the emails and comments.
In the meantime here are some peeks behind the scenes from #TheSakuraBloomWorkshop:
Kelly sets up a fun "name the sling" shoot before our Fall Basics launch.
We like to know every inch of our products. Above Theory's bamboo fibers which we now are proud to announce are uniquely hand-dyed and softened.
Roxy - our head seamstress shows Rachel Ehlin-Smith (Mr. Blue Skye) how she's turned her art into onbuhimos.
Our brand new Theory is hand dyed in LA just a few miles up the road and then crafted with care here in Oceanside. (Colorway above: Willow - available Thursday, September 28th)
Jake Bolen - head of quality control, check each onbuhimo during the pre-Fall launch before it comes to your home. (Colorway: Camel onbuhimos on the left, Currant onbuhimos on the right.)
