By Sarah Guidon
Amber Duncan began her small handmade jewelry business in the Santa Cruz mountains in 2017. In addition to selling her jewelry online, in local shops, and at events, she also opened the Mountainside Made General Store in Felton in 2018. Amber describes her shop as “A modern and mindful general store offering a unique collection of small batch products with a focus on natural materials, ethical production practices, sustainability, functionality and design.”
Mountainside Made has become an easily recognizable brand among locals. I often spot her beautiful heirloom-quality pieces at shops or being worn by people around town.
Each piece is handmade using hammered metals, lapidary stone cutting, and the ancient process of lost wax casting. Her pieces are rustic and sentimental, and are inspired by nature, tradition, world cultures, and symbolic images.
Not only is Santa Cruz beautiful, but it ranks 4th in the nation for female business owners! Without so much support within our community we wouldn’t have the varied creative forces that define our local culture, not to mention so many unique and ethical small businesses like Mountainside Made.
That being said, come check out Mountainside Made and a TON of other local vendors, food, drinks, and music! THIS FRIDAY 8/2, at Santa Cruz Surf & Skate at 5:30 at the Super Sonic Summer Block Party. See you there!
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