Over the past few months, Katy and I have been quietly working on a side project here at the OneCommune retreat center. It’s a small but deeply intentional consignment shop. What started as a passing idea has now taken shape into a curated space that highlights local makers and their craft.
The shop, located directly inside the office of the main house, is filled with handmade goods that reflect the values of this land: intentional living, community, and artistry.
So far, we’re showcasing work by artisans like Megan Geer-Alsop (stained glass), Trudy Perry (macramé), Leanne Hirsh (botanical perfumes), and Kerry Clarkson of Taka Studio (handmade hats, shoes, and clothing).
Handmade Over Mass-Produced
In a culture where most of what we buy is mass-produced and shipped from halfway across the globe, there’s something refreshing about being surrounded by pieces that have been shaped by someone’s hands.
Take Kerry from Taka Studio, for example: every hat, shoe, and garment in our shop is made by her—start to finish. These are functional, wearable pieces of art.
The same goes for Megan’s stained glass. If you’ve been to OneCommune before, you’ve probably noticed her work already: the round stained-glass window in our yoga room that catches the light just right, or the love, peace, moon, and sun panels in each of the A-frame cabins. Now her smaller works are for sale, so guests can take a bit of that beauty home.
A Space with Stories
What makes these items so special is the story behind them.
Trudy’s macramé pieces, for example, come from her time working with horses and helping people find healing through their presence.
Leanne’s perfumes incorporate years of study in plant medicine, and even trace elements of ayahuasca, making each scent its own little ceremony.
Even the honey on our shelves comes with a story: it’s harvested right here on the property from our bee colonies, tended with care by a local beekeeper, Eli.
A Quiet Launch
Setting up this shop has been a little like building a grown-up lemonade stand. Katy and I know this won’t turn into a giant business, and we don’t want it to. It’s about connection—to local artisans, to the land, to our retreat guests. If it brings in a little side income that allows us to take a trip up to Ojai or Big Sur from time to time, we’ll consider that a bonus.
We’re looking forward to officially opening the shop to our retreat guests in early August. For us, it feels like an invitation: a chance to meet more of the local creative community and give retreat guests a piece of Topanga to take home with them.