Welcome to the HopeSTUDIO
HopeSTUDIO offers individuals with disabilities the opportunity to master the art of weaving while building self-confidence, self-determination, peer relationships, restoring dignity and is a key component of their self-care. Our weavers are paid artists, with a minimum of 50% of sale going directly towards their commissions. The studio is located in San Jose, CA and currently contains 12 looms. Supplies for the program are sustained through donations from the community.
Where to find HopeSTUDIO Products
In 2023, HopeSTUDIO partnered with local wine distributor, Joseph George Wines, to sell handwoven wine bags from their store in San Jose. Owner Bert George has generously offered to provide 100% of proceeds from wine bag sale, with 50% going directly to HopeSTUDIO artists.
To purchase a wine bag, please visit:
Joseph George Wines
1559 Meridian Ave, San Jose CA 95125
You can also visit their website at:
www.josephgeorge.com
In 2024, HopeSTUDIO partnered with Live Oak Refillery in Santa Cruz to offer handwoven products and artwork in their store. Live Oak Refillery aims to create an inclusive workspace for people with disabilities, while reducing environmental waste and showcasing talented artists in the community.
Live Oak Refillery
1135 17th Ave., Suite #103, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
To learn more, please visit:
Helpers Artisan Boutique is a unique store offering handcrafted items created by talented individuals with developmental disabilities from the Bay Area and beyond. Furthermore, the employees employed as helpers are individuals with developmental disabilities and graduates from the organization's retail job training program. Helpers carry various HopeSTUDIO products, including handwoven products, jewelry, and artwork.
Helpers Artisan Boutique
1947 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123
To learn more, please visit:
Meet Our Weavers
HopeSTUDIO artists vary in range of age, ethnicity and abilities. The program's goal is to offer an experience that supports their individual growth in communication, coordination, socialization and self-esteem as they grow as artists. Each artist starts with the basics of plain weave and progresses on to complex weaving structures as they gain experience in the program. In the studio, we celebrate every individual's achievement, knowing that the growth of each individual makes HopeSTUDIO a stronger team of artists.
Naoki
- SUPER POWER: Fast as Lightning!
- Hope Client Since 2019
What weaving has done for me:
“Weaving has helped me to find a place that is quiet and safe, where I can create beautiful woven fabric in colors that I choose. I am a creative person, but I like things to be perfect and I can do that while weaving.”
Suong
- SUPER POWER: Weaving Very Complicated Designs
- Hope Client Since 2016
What Weaving has done for me:
“I like to weave in the studio because I get to spend time with my friends. Even though I can only use my right arm, I am very good at weaving and can weave very complicated patterns. It really helps me financially when someone buys something I made.”
Ravi
- SUPER POWER: Weaving very straight selvedges
- Hope Client Since 2016
What weaving has done for me:
“Weaving in the studio has helped me to focus and concentrate when my mind wants to wander.”
Mary
- SUPER POWER: Keeping the Weaving Studio Full of Laughter!
- Hope Client Since 2004
What weaving does for me:
“I only have use of my right arm. Weaving is something I am good at. When someone buys something I made, it makes me feel really good.”
Loan
- SUPER POWER: Weaving with Very Fine and Delicate Yarns.
- Hope Client Since 2000
What weaving has done for me:
“Weaving is fun and creative. I enjoy spending time weaving because it helps me to have something for my hands to do.”
Hye
- SUPER POWER: Consistency
- Hope Client Since 1972
What weaving has done for me:
“I find weaving to be very calming and I like to make pretty scarves. It helps me financially when people buy my scarves.”
Donna
- SUPER POWER: Peer Encouragement
- Hope Client Since 2018
What weaving has done for me:
“Weaving has shown me that I can learn new things, do them well and it has built up my self-esteem.”
Alex
- SUPER POWER: Perseverance
- Hope Client Since 2018
What weaving has done for me:
“Weaving was hard for me at first but I kept trying and trying. I was able to learn because I never gave up. Weaving has taught me to keep trying even when something is hard.”
Our Products
Our products are made from fabric handwoven on looms by clients of Hope Services, a non-profit serving thousands of clients with developmental and intellectual disabilities across the Bay Area. A minimum of 50% of sales are provided as a commission to artists, helping to build financial independence and self-esteem, while restoring a sense of purpose and dignity.
Wine Bags
Our Wine bags are made from 100% cotton yarn handwoven into fabric. Each bag is sewn by a group of volunteers who love the mission of HopeSTUDIO and are willing to dedicate their time towards artists support and growth.
Tote Bags and Zipper Pouches
Each bag is made from beautiful handwoven fabric off of the looms of HopeSTUDIO. High-quality and coordinating fabrics and zippers are added and sewn by a professional seamstress. Each bag is unique and a personal expression of the artist's choice of color and weaving structure.
Scarves
Our scarves are handwoven on looms using high-quality wool, cashmere, silk, and linen yarns. The scarves are then finished by washing and fringing the ends. Close attention has been paid to the selvedge, and scarf weavers are rewarded for their skills by receiving a 65% commission on each sale instead of the standard 50%.
Explore the New HopeSTUDIO