Mindful Nest in Burbank: crafts with a conscience
Mindful Nest, a new Burbank store devoted to affordable, handmade contemporary crafts, was designed by co-operators Diane Jackson, Amanda Vernon and Jennifer Hardaway to be a mindful way to shop. “We support local artists and small American companies,” Vernon says. “We buy directly from artists who speak to us, and we make sure part of the proceeds goes back to the community.”
The sunny shop, which opened this summer, steers clear of disposable consumer products made overseas. "You can come here and invest in something that won't go away in a week," Jackson says. Instead, Mindful Nest features works by more than 100 artists who create jewelry, pottery and prints.
Hardaway, pictured above in her lab, creates her Klean line of natural body and bath products. Shoppers can make their own scented candles, diffusers and room sprays by sampling the different fragrances at a blending bar in the back. More photos after the jump.
Above, from left: Owners Jennifer Hardaway, Amanda Vernon and Diane Jackson.
Above: Ceramic face masks by artist Chris London.
Above: Quality Time tin signs, which are assembled in New Orleans.
Above: Clocks made from recycled 45-rpm vinyl records by Vinylux Inc.
Above: A stereoscope by Jim and Tori Mullan.
-- Lisa Boone
Photo credits: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times

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This is a really fun shop to check out, and my wife loves the Klean bath products.
Posted by: Christian Prezgay | 09/02/2009 at 09:56 AM
Very cool, Jennifer! Congrats on the media blitz!
Posted by: Stephanie Rountree | 09/02/2009 at 11:43 AM
Great story! A wonderful way to promote local and purposeful artists and shoppers.
Posted by: Rhonda Hodge | 09/02/2009 at 04:51 PM
This store is the perfect little gem. And the Klean products are to die for!
Posted by: Mia Memel | 09/03/2009 at 12:20 AM
Congrats Jennifer! I love your store and the fact you are supporting the Indie crafter and business owner!! Had to chuckle at the tin signs. I so need to hang up the 'Be Nice or Leave' :)
Posted by: Lisa M. Rodgers | 09/03/2009 at 05:53 AM
Wow! The store looks wonderful, and those tin signs are to die for!
Congrats on the bath and body product line, they sound delicious :)
Posted by: Laurie March, EvangelistaLA | 09/03/2009 at 08:04 AM
everything is hot!
Posted by: frances meadows | 09/06/2009 at 04:28 PM
I love this store! What an interesting and unique selection.
Posted by: christine | 09/08/2009 at 10:30 PM
Jennifer's whipped shea body butter in Lemon Love is amazing--I think I moisturize my hands a millions times a day now just to get a whiff of the addicting/soothing scent!! I also visited the store recently and had a great conversation with Jennifer--she's a joy to buy from;)
Posted by: Linda Hosmer | 10/12/2009 at 12:02 PM
My eyes had an orgasm in this store. Can't wait to go back and buy gifts for everybody! (and more for me) ;)
Posted by: Reinel Campa | 03/16/2010 at 03:44 PM