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Local Fine Craftsmanship and Design at Bee Bar k & Moss B Y B R E T T W I L B U R S ix years ago, after Minori Shironishi and Philip Rodrigue moved from New York City to Carmel with a background in design, they joined the vendors at the Monterey Farmer's Market with a unique product that was immediately a hit. Their handcrafted market bag, made from hemp and leather and hand stencil- painted, is offered in three sizes, 11 colors and three patterns. "It's handmade, high quality and you can turn it upside down and inside out and see that it wasn't made in five minutes," says Rodrigue. "We focused on doing one thing really well." After broadening their scope to include farmer's markets throughout the Bay Area, the couple, who have no employees, had enough orders for bags to open up a shop in Carmel's San Carlos Square. They also include products from other arti- sans, and recently opened a second location a few doors down to focus on their interior design services. Custom wallpaper, upholstery, slipcovers, garden cushions, ottomans, director's chairs, pillows and more are offered by the tal- ented pair, who do all the cutting, painting, sewing and leatherwork themselves. The location is ideal too. "We love the court- yard," Rodrigue says. "We are with the real Carmel craftspeople who work with their hands. It's high quality, not high quantity products." Bee Bark & Moss is located in the San Carlos Square, San Carlos St. btwn. 5th and 6th avenues in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Look for the central glass gazebo and the design store. For more infor- mation, please call 831/293-8465 or go to www.beebarkandmoss.com. SHORTCUTS BUSINESS Minori Shironishi, who managed a couture fashion line in New York City, and husband Philip Rodrigue, a talented trompe l'oeil painter and furniture designer. 66 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 Photo: Kelli Uldall