maker: rena tom of makeshift society

today’s maker is also a mentor.   as a self-professed “repeat-offender retail entrepreneur”—rena tom has worn hats as a jewelry maker, wedding stationer and bi-coastal art gallery owner.    these days, she’s channeled that start-up glee into becoming a one-stop business solution shop for creative entrepreneurs.  if you’re too shy to say hello, you’ll soon have another chance…she’s one of our speakers at the upcoming craftcation conference on march 22-25, 2012!

 introductions please.

my name is rena. i’m a born and bred california girl who made a short but fruitful excursion to new york where i caught the retail bug and opened my first store- rare device.

i later moved back home and opened another store with my friend, lisa congdon. we sold it in february and now, i am a strategist for creative businesses. i love working with business owners on getting organized, getting press and making sales. i live in san francisco with my husband, baby boy and pound puppy.

what do you make or do?

i used to make jewelry and sold it around the country. i also used to print wedding invitations on my gocco!

right now, i’m between projects- but i’m itching to take a class in weaving or ceramics.

i have a crafty mom and sister so i’ve tried everything else – sewing, knitting and crochet, letterpress, glass bead making, screen printing…