by Lauren Matsuo Grund
A Lifelong Love
I've been making things for as long as I can remember. As a child, I collected rocks from beaches, trails, and backyards and soon began turning my love of natural materials into jewelry.
Over the years, my work has expanded across metal, handmade paper, illumination, and mixed media, but the experience of making has remained the same: following an idea, experimenting with materials, and seeing what takes form.
Today, my creative practice includes both my own work and community art. Whether I'm working with a stone at my bench or making alongside a room full of kids, I value the freedom to experiment, express something of yourself, and create something entirely your own.
I believe creativity is something we all get to participate in.
A Season of Connection
For three months in the spring of 2026, LM inspired found a home in the heart of downtown Mount Vernon.
What began as a simple pop-up shop became a place of connection. A space where people wandered in to admire the stones, share stories, discover local artists, and linger a little longer than they had planned. It was a reminder that handmade work has a way of bringing people together.
Though the shop itself was temporary, the experience was lasting. It deepened Lauren's connection to the Mount Vernon community and reinforced her desire to continue creating work that celebrates the beauty of the natural world and the stories we each carry.
Today, Lauren continues to create from her home studio, welcomes custom commissions, and participates in Valley Made Markets and other select artisan events throughout the year.
