About us

I was born and raised in a tiny cabin with a cozy loft and creaky floors. The woodstove kept us warm and kerosene lamps and candles lit the rooms for homework, art, and reading. It was in the woods, where me and my siblings  played outside. We built tree forts, foraged the creeks, gathered acorns and berries to grind at the real Indian grinding rock! Our days of paradise were spent at the Yuba river on hot days. On a really good day, we would stay so long we were walking out in the dark.

Nevada County, what a beautiful and serene place to call home!! I am truly grateful to have been raised in this amazing community. I have been nurtured through the schools. I have been empowered by the youth sports programs. I was raised and still enjoy the company of many strong and empowered women; that made me the woman I am today. I have utilized the beautiful college campus and attended trade schools. But I most certainly enjoy all of the nature Nevada County has to offer.

Now here I am, still in Nevada County and still loving it! Feeling grateful to be raising my two daughters in such a great place. I have coached their sports teams, done countless hours of field work at their adventure based learning school, guided them to find their favorite spots on the Yuba. Loving the place that I live has inspired many parts of Make Local Habit.

“Make Local Habit” is a message, it is stating: Someone you know or someone in your community is probably doing something that may benefit you or your life. This could be any simple thing; needing a massage, a car repair, or a piece of art to hang on your wall. Maybe your child is in need of a tutor or wanting to learn to play an instrument. Perhaps you are feeling motivated to find a gym or join a fitness group. As a community we have a wide variety of talents, skills, expertise, and opportunities to offer one another. When searching for these things, you may be pleasantly surprised that you may not need to search very far.

“Make Local Habit” is also the name of my business. Make Local Habit creates a world of thriving local artists who have confidence to sell their creations by providing an inclusive space that supports each one individually. I come from a family of artists and have seen the struggles first hand. Artists often don’t have the opportunity to market themselves or put themselves out into the world. Their creations are amazing and should be shared with the community! It could be a lovely bar of handmade soap, a handmade woven rug, a unique piece of jewelry, or a ceramic bowl.

Make Local Habit opened in September of 2009 after 25 artisans committed to sharing the idea of having an all local made shop. We are currently operating in our 5th curated shop in historic downtown Grass Valley.

Coming into my seventh year of owning and operating Make Local Habit is humbling to say the least. The niche for selling locally made items to locals that love shopping local is a wonderful thing! And here in our community it is real. People are doing this, and they are doing it with pride and are thrilled with the outcome! My hope for the future of Make Local Habit is to make sure that you consider a local option before anything else, and to make shopping locally a habit. Thank you to all our supporters, shoppers, (locals and visitors) and creators!! It takes a village and as far as I’m concerned, I am living in the right one!!

We’re open Wednesday – Sunday // 11:00 am- 6:00 pm 
. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays. May be subject to change.  Be sure to visit often!  
We are always getting new inventory in.