About the founder
A designer, maker, tinkerer and entrepreneur, Kathy Bonte earned her very first dollar selling woven potholders and handmade greeting cards to neighbors and passers-by in her hometown of NYC. At ten she sold the first share of stock in her "company" to her maternal grandfather in exchange for a set of 24 markers and an ice cream cone.
Buoyed by that early success, she went on to study design, pursuing a career as an art director/creative director working with global apparel, consumer and B2B clients in television, print and new media. Her passion for design later expanded to include fashion and home decor—and she discovered she enjoyed sharing her enthusiasm for creating with the next generation.
In 2009, she co-founded DezignKidz, a popular Bay Area provider of creative enrichment programs—where she developed, implemented and taught innovative programs in fashion, toy and interior design for 2nd-8th graders.
Kathy is a member and former President of the Los Altos Art Docents where she enjoys developing new curriculum and teaching art in the district’s K-6 classrooms. She helped launch Almond Elementary School’s popular BookWave program for aspiring young authors and illustrators and currently serves as Board Chairperson of the Silicon Valley creative reuse non-profit Fabmo, which collects and redistributes discarded designer fabrics, leather, tile, wallpaper and other materials. FabnMo was the inspiration for Kathy's jewelry and accessories line YellowRose, which utilizes upcycled materials and has been featured in several Bay Area artisan markets and galeries– including the DeYoung Museum.
She is married to a very charming Frenchman, has one successfully launched son, two very entertaining cats and an adorable granddog.
Check out our feature in the latest issue!
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