Mountain Made
Welcome to Mountain Made. We are a small business nestled in the mountains. Our mission is to make a Thank you for choosing Mountain Made!
16/12/2023
Well today was a parenting first… I was asked to move seats at the local Christmas performance because Ella was apparently bothering those sitting near us.
Ella literally comes everywhere with us including work and community meetings. I’m still very conscious of the temperature in the room when Ella is present. I am always prepared to leave if she starts unintentionally disturbing things.
Ella was really paying attention to the preference. She made a few noises of engagement and got scared for a brief moment at a ghost character but immediately calmed down with reinsurance. A friend and I were actively keeping her quiet. In the handful of brief moments she made a baby sound, it would have been more disruptive to leave then to stay. Adults were laughing and making sounds of engagement. We were towards the back of the audience.
If I thought she was disturbing the preference, I would have left.
I was so caught off guard being asked to move by the host because prior to being approached. I was impressed with how well she was behaving for a 14 month old. I grew up going to this performance. They welcomed children of all ages before it started. So many in attendance know us well and kindly greeted Ella upon seeing her.
We wonder why volunteerism is dropping in our community. We wonder why residents participate less and less each year. We wonder why community traditions are dying off. We wonder why kids today don’t want to participate in anything. We wonder what is going to happen when the kids today grow up.
I wonder why no one realizes that what we do today directly impacts tomorrow. What you do matters.
I could have caused a disturbance by getting up to leave the room each time my toddler made an occasional baby noise. Instead, I quietly taught her by softly hushing her, using nonverbals, providing affection, giving her the reinsurance she needed in the moment, and being an example to teach her what behavior was appropriate in the situation.
Why did I choose this course of action? Even though she is only 14 months old, because we communicate at her comprehension level she is becoming one damn smart toddler.
She is actively learning from us. Watching a child learn is the most beautiful thing I’ll ever experience.
❄️SNOW DAY❄️
We are expecting larg crowds this weekend and San Diego residents attempt to have a day playing in the snow.
📚Please educate yourself before coming to the local mountains. 📚
⚠️During and following snowstorms, all vehicles are REQUIRED to have snow chains to pass through checkpoints along Highway 78, Highway 79, Freeway 8, and Sunrise Highway.⚠️
DRIVING IN THE SNOW IS AN ACQUIRED SKILL. 👨🏻🏫Drivers must have experience driving in the snow.
Please be mindful of where you stop to play. Most of the region is privately owned. 🏡
⛔️No parking means NO PARKING.
🙅♀️Do NOT play on private property, on the highway, in the Julian Pioneer Cemetery, in Frank Lane Memorial Park in neighborhoods, and in unsafe areas.🙅♀️
🧤Bring all your waterproof snow gear with you (snow gloves, pants, jacket, and boots). 🧤
🥖Be prepared with water and food for your group. 🙏
🐶For the health and safety of your pets, it is strongly advised against bringing your dogs with you to experience the snow. 🐶
🗑Please please take everything you bring with you back home. Our mountains are beautiful and home to lots of wildlife. It’s always a very sad sight to see when they are covered in trash. There is no local government entity to clean up after the visitors. Additionally, we have no way to dispose of the trash left behind.
We ask that you please help us maintain a clean environment for the animals and the generations to come. Do not leave trash of any kind including, but not limited to sleds, dirty diapers, snow gear, and more. Anyone who litters can be fined up to $1,000 and community service (see the law here). 🗑
As always, thank you for supporting our community.
This video was not filmed in real time. It was filmed in February of 2022.
https://www.mountainmademe.com/post/snow-in-julian
13/02/2023
Check this out! gutierrez art and photography and I were featured on the Redfin Blog.
12 Beautiful Places in San Diego Locals Rave About Get an inside look into some beautiful places in San Diego featuring quotes and pictures from the people who know the area the most.
23/12/2022
03/05/2022
A candle that smells so good you could EAT it...
That’s exactly what our Julian Apple Pie candle is all about!
Every morning, the streets in downtown Julian are filled with the sweet smell of apple pies baking. I aspired to recreate that aroma with our Julian Apple Pie candle, and that’s precisely what I did.
It took over a year to develop a fragrance that met the bar—a true-to-life, mouth-watering aroma of homemade apple pie with flaky pie crust, topped with vanilla ice cream and a caramel drizzle. YUM!
And the best part? You can enjoy it without the calories. 😉
Tap the link in my bio to shop! ❤️
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03/05/2022
Historic Downtown Julian is known for its locally-owned boutiques and shops. You can find everything from antiques and foods to clothing and specialty stores.
Our local businesses are very supportive of the community, so I want to take a moment to put them in the spotlight for a change.
A thorough list of local shops is now live on the blog. 🙌🏻
What is your favorite find from a local store? Comment below!
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https://www.mountainmademe.com/post/shops-in-julian
30/04/2022
These cool spring mornings have me reaching for a warm drink to get me going. I'm not a coffee drinker so I rotate between tea, hot apple cider, or hot chocolate.
What is your go-to morning beverage?
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29/04/2022
Our signature 8oz straight-sided candles include a brief description of the candle fragrance. (The fill descriptions can be found on our website.)
This additional touch allows those not familiar with the area to learn a bit about the San Diego mountains through our product.
PS. We print out labels in-house right here on the mountain.
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28/04/2022
The Julian housing market has been on a steady incline over the last few years. Being that the area is 75 miles from downtown San Diego, this remote small town has historically had a lower housing market value.
This all began to change with the development of tourism in the region and the boom in short-term rentals. The housing market prices began to escalate more during the COVID pandemic. With the ability to work from home and mass exodus from crowded cities, the rural lifestyle has become more desirable.
Those looking to buy property in the Julian area now face a very limited market, bidding wars, and competing with cash offers over the asking price. Those looking for long-term rentals within the Julian community are also having a hard time finding housing.
Over on the blog, discuss long-term rental options in the Julian area including apartment options, single-family homes, and alternative housing options like living in an RV.
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https://www.mountainmademe.com/post/long-term-rentals
26/04/2022
You know you are in the mountains if…
- Your ears pop anytime you change elevation.
- You suddenly get thirsty out of the blue.
- You have to frequently rotate your tires.
- Your water bottle squirts all over you when you open it.
- It’s five o’clock and all the businesses are closed.
How do you know you are in the mountains?
https://www.mountainmademe.com/post/you-are-in-the-mountains-if
21/04/2022
Julian Mercantile (.imports.mercantile) is packed with one-of-a-kind treasures from here at home and around the world.
They feature stunning wood carvings from Bali to fashionable trends. In the winter they are your one-stop shop for winter hats, gloves, and scarves. You just never know what you may find here.
One thing you can always count on being in stock is Mountain Made candles.
20/04/2022
American small towns have played a vital part in our country's history.
In some ways, there seems to be a movement to depopulate small towns. In other ways, though, the mass exodus from California cities, in addition to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, is causing low-population areas to grow at an exponential rate.
For these sought-after benefits to exist, residents and visitors must make a conscious effort to preserve them. Rural residents choose to live where they do because they like the way things are.
Without growth, small towns become ghost towns. Without preservation, small towns become small cities, and eventually big cities.
On the blog, I took a deep dive into tactical ways we all can help preserve small towns.
Got something to add? Put it in the comments ✏️
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https://www.mountainmademe.com/post/preserving-small-towns
19/04/2022
Julian has a long history as an agriculture center. It’s no secret that we are known for apples. Other commonly found plants are lilacs, firs, daffodils, and deciduous trees.
Unlike the rest of San Diego County, we experience the four seasons. This allows us to grow plants that can’t survive in other parts of the county.
Julian local Sally Snipes has been gardening in the region for over 50 years. She's the community's go-to resource for anything gardening and the founder of the Julian Daffodil Project.
In Julian Gardens, she shares her local knowledge, tips, tricks, and gardening practices. In the book, you can find a bloom calendar, planting calendar, a list of wildlife-resistant plants, and many plant suggestions. Her book is available around town.
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https://www.mountainmademe.com/post/gardening-in-julian
19/04/2022
Social media has made Three Sisters and Cedar Creek Falls very popular San Diego hikes.
What most who attempted these trails don't understand is just how dangerous these remote hikes are.
First responders are constantly having to rescue stranded hikers by helicopter. Many in need of rescuing don't make it. See the news articles included in our latest blog post.
https://www.mountainmademe.com/post/the-truth-about-three-sisters-and-cedar-creek-falls
16/04/2022
It's lilac season!
The mountains around Julian are blanketed with light blue and white wild mountain lilac blooms. It's amazing how just a little color really changes the landscape.
With our true-to-life lilac aroma, you can enjoy the smell of fresh lilacs at your wish.
Are you coming to see the lilac blooms for yourself?
16/04/2022
How do you fail at life?
I’ve feared “failing” at life for as long as I can remember.
Over the last few months, I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on all the role models I have in my life that have overcome situations that are often deemed as a “failure” or dead end in some sense. Their stories are a testament that circumstances only define your potential if you let them.
Truth is, I don’t know if I ever would have been able to overcome this “fear of failure” without being in the exact position I find myself in today. For that, I am grateful.
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14/04/2022
Everyone knows about Julian's apple pie, but have you tried the chicken pot pie?
A number of different eateries make pot pie. I've tried them all. None of them disappoint! (This chicken pot pie is from .)
Are you a pot pie fam?
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12/04/2022
With miles of stunning coastline, San Diego is known for its coastal drives.
Most SoCal residents aren’t aware, though, that San Diego’s east county is also full of dramatic roads. These off-the-beaten-paths take you from the beach through the mountains and into the Anza Borrego Desert.
Today, I am highlighting a few of the lesser-known inland scenic drives on the blog.
https://www.mountainmademe.com/post/scenic-drives
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05/04/2022
What's in our fragrance?
We happily use candle-safe, phthalate-free, non-toxic fragrance oil. Some oils are even infused with essential oils.
Our supplier adheres to strict standards regarding fragrance safety and does not use any ingredients that require a CA Prop 65 warning.
Our true-to-life aroma blends are meant to invoke mountain memories and to be enjoyed year-round.
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04/04/2022
Scenes from Main Street 📷
Today on the blog, I published a general overview of Julian. This will be the first of a series of blog posts that will feature the San Diego backcountry communities.
https://www.mountainmademe.com/post/julian-ca
01/04/2022
Grocery shopping in rural areas can be frustrating. The availability and accessibility of traditional grocery stores come down to the zip code you live in.
New residents often are surprised to discover just how challenging and time-consuming grocery shopping is for those who live in rural America.
In my most recent blog post, I dive into...
- Shopping Local
- Buy Direct from Producers
- Growing Your Own Food
- Conventional Grocery Stores
- Online Grocery Shopping
- Bulk Grocery Shopping
The full article is linked.
Got a pro grocery tip? Share it in the comments.
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https://www.mountainmademe.com/post/how-to-grocery-shop-in-rural-areas
26/03/2022
🎵There's a rumor going 'round about me and you, Stirring up our little town 🎵
Shotgun wedding… TBD
Baby Elmblad… Due October 10th, 2022
18/03/2022
It's been a while since I’ve been consistently posting on social.
Since graduating last May, I have been doing a lot of reflection, establishing boundaries, learning, planning, and re-planning. I'll just sum up by saying even the best-laid plans sometimes go awry. A LOT has happened offline.
One thing I realized was that roughly 20% of my efforts resulted in 80% of my revenue (Pareto Principle). What a wake-up call.
Content creation was the first thing I cut. It is one of my favorite business tasks. However, at this stage, it doesn't always yield immediate results and it's a big-time suck.
As a solopreneur, if I don't do it, it doesn't get done. I also can't keep funding the business forever. It needs to sustain itself or I need to scale it down to a hobby. The intention has always been the latter.
So I focussed on sales, direct to consumer in particular, during the last half of 2021. My efforts paid off. I traveled all over the county, became friends with a lot of business owners, got to meet many of you, learned so much, and revenue doubled in 2021.
The tide has once again turned, focusing on wholesale will be a better fit for this coming year.
I also want to get back into content creation. There's so much I want to share. Ain't no promises that I will be showing up consistently. The content though, will be the same quality content you all have come to expect from me.
So if you are interested in all things Julian, small-town life, personal development, and real-life, I hope you continue to stick around.
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13/03/2022
13/03/2022
Did you hear the news?!
Julian’s very on California Mountain Bakery was ranked the best pie in California by Yelp reviews. Way to go!
https://blog.yelp.com/community/where-to-find-the-best-pie-in-every-state/
Where to find the best pie in every state There are plenty of reasons to indulge in a slice of pie, but we’ll give you one more– March 14th is Pi Day, an annual celebration of the mathematical constant π. Celebrations often involve pie eating, so we’ve rounded up the top spot for pie in every state. Methodology: This is an all-time l...
10/02/2022
CBS 8 San Diego is doing a story on the Julian Gold Rush Hotel at 6pm!
https://www.cbs8.com/watch
Watch | CBS8 Live and On-Demand Videos | San Diego, California | cbs8.com Watch live news and on-demand videos from CBS8 KFMB in San Diego, California
25/12/2021
Merry Christmas 🎄
This tree was our Christmas Tree for a good portion of my childhood. My parents buy potted trees to use as a Christmas Tree and then plant them in the yard.
It’s been so fun watching this tree grow with us. When we bought it it was about 4 feet. Now we and our neighbors get to enjoy it everyday.
We’re currently growing the next round of live Christmas Trees from seedlings.
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01/12/2021
Thank you The Rural Housewives so much for including me in your shop rural campaign!
Shop Rural Month has been a huge success and a wonderful adventure for us! Some new friends, some old - all wonderful!
Here are ALL the codes to ALL the pages in one place! Go support our friends! Some are running small business deals until tomorrow ♥️
- FRONTPORCH
- SHOPRURAL15
- SHOPRURAL
- SHOPRURAL
- RH15
- HOLIDAY15
- RHW
- RHWFREESHIP
- RURAL
- RURAL15
- FRONTPORCH
25/11/2021
Fall is here and so is the wind. Never done a holiday without power but there’s a first for everything.
Here’s some local advice for those new to experiencing common power outages.
https://www.mountainmademe.com/post/survive-a-power-outage
How to Survive A Power Outage Those of us living in the country should be prepared to go extended periods of time without power.
05/10/2021
🍁 It is officially FALL in Julian, CA. 🍁
The apples are being picked, cider is being pressed, caramel apples are being dipped, the whole town smells like the apple pies being baked, the air is crisp, and the leaves are chaining colors.
Every day the town transforms as the trees paint the surrounding landscape with yellows, reds, and browns. It's so cool to watch the season change right before my eyes.
I often get asked about where are the best places to see the fall colors.
The truth is, there is not one particular area to see fall foliage near Julian as the trees are scattered throughout the region. Don’t fret, I have put together a list of a few Instagram-worthy locations where trees rich in fall colors can be found. You can find the list linked below.
Keep in mind the trees at different elevations change colors at different rates. The leaves only ask on the trees until the Santa Anna Winds hit so you have to time your trip just right.
Lastly please be respectful of the trees, private property, and of others. Don't break branches off. Stay on main roads and don't stop in the middle of the road. Leave no trace. Be considerate of those around you or who may come after you. Thank You!
Let me know if you are coming to see the fall colors. Comment below. 👇🏻
https://www.mountainmademe.com/post/fall-colors
Where to See Fall Colors Near Julian Here's a list of locations one can see fall colors in San Diego's Mountain town of Julian, CA.
Our Story
Growing up, I always wished there was a store that sold merchandise made in Julian. In July of 2017, I decided to make this childhood dream a reality with Mountain Made. Now the visitors of Julian can "bring home the mountains" while supporting the community at the same time.
When you buy a Mountain Made product, you aren't just supporting a company. You are supporting a student field trip, a college student, a family, a community organization, and the every-day hard working American.
When possible, we use locally-owned companies and resources to keep our products made in Julian. We also do our best to only use natural/organic materials and always use American made supplies when possible.
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