Julia is the owner/jefa behind Pa'lante Offbeat and Palante Para. They have been embroidering apparel for the last four years while working in student affairs and marketing and communications.

Julia is a huge fan of incorporating equity and justice practices into the workplace, empowering young people of color, advocating for co-ownership practices in housing, and macaroni and cheese.

When she’s not pursuing her dreams, she can be found lounging with her partner, trying new restaurants in Portland, playing video games and board games, or snoozing.

Why the Charmed Crow Collective?

“Running a business is traditionally a very lonely pursuit. I have always been interested in doing things differently, though. After a huge career shift and buying a home with my partner and best friends, I realized that co-ownership can be successfully applied to business, too. Shaking up the traditional business owner/vendor dynamic to create a more equitable retail space has been becoming an exciting reality with this truly amazing group.” 🐦⬛

What’s something you’re reading or watching right now?

“Beast Complex by Paru Itagaki” 🐺🐰

Mar is a sewist, artist, and wearer of all hats Little Yak Studios. Since 2019, Mar has enjoyed making clothing from discarded textiles in her home studio — first in the Rocky Mountains, and now in the PNW!

As a longtime educator both in nonprofit and early education, Mar is passionate about forging a kind future through creativity, empathy, and sustainability. She loves exploring this intersection through her craft.

As a Bolivian-American, Mar is inspired by the history of textile arts in Bolivia.

Why the Charmed Crow Collective?

“Finding a close community of folks who love to create and who are motivated to encourage artists feels very lucky. Being a part of Charmed Crow is an opportunity to create a collaborative and inspiring space for our maker community, and I’m so excited to bring this space to life with my fellow friends and craftspeople!”

What’s something you’re reading or watching right now?

“The Overstory by Richard Powers. And a Broad City rewatch, always.”

Sofi is the owner, designer, and chief creator of Two Howling Labs, an expressive and intentional clothing & accessories shop that focuses on upcycled pieces made from secondhand materials and clothing.

After growing up and not being able to find many clothes that fit her body, Sofi became passionate about creating inclusive and self-expressive, yet affordable slow fashion that encourages people to not only be themselves, but to take up space while doing so. She has been upcycling clothes since 2015 and running THL for over 2 years.

Sofi is most passionate about the intersection of community care, sustainability, equity and justice, and slow fashion within her own life and her business.

Sofi is Norwegian and Chinese. She is interested in exploring how to integrate these parts of her heritage more into her art and life.

Why the Charmed Crow Collective?

“For eight years, I’ve dreamed of being part of the creation of a collective third space where people could support artists, creatives and small businesses, attend classes & workshops, and focus on community building. Until meeting the other owners of the Charmed Crow Collective, I wasn’t sure how to make this dream a reality. Now this dream is coming true and I couldn’t be more excited to be part of such a wonderful collective of like-minded artists forging a fresh, collaborative take on retail in Portland.”

What’s something you’re reading or watching right now?

“Reading The Divide: A Brief Guide to Global Inequality and Its Solutions by Jason Hickel and watching Attack on Titan and comfort re-watching One Piece!”