Considering the economy’s crappy turn in 2008, Jada-Moon Gridley, the pixie behind Moon On Hilltop and Jada-Moon Creations, is one of the lucky ones. “I have managed to make it through the last six months without a job-job,” she says.



Say what?!



Gridley crafts and fashions a plethora of different things by herself by hand — artisan healing soaps (six for $20), stained glass light catchers and dream catchers, adorable little magnets, and clay and mosaic art.



“Often I am motivated by a desire to make everyday useful objects be more beautiful and decorative,” she explains.



Gridley creates customized batik and tye-dye clothing, one-of-a-kind Mehndi style T-shirts for adults and children ($30, $15); makes arm warmers ($10-$25), and transforms existing garments by creative bleaching, adding embellishments and alterations.



Lately she’s begun decorating drum heads with her henna stylings and making custom sterling silver plugs (ear jewelry). Her other jewelry work uses copper, gemstone, crystal beads, and feathers. Gridley describes her style as eclectic and more. “A lot of the things I make have an Indian or Moroccan feel,” she says.



Ever clever, the Hilltop Tacoma resident uses items found in nature, online, at craft stores, gem fairs. She works the thrift store angle for richly textured yarns and fabrics (garments may be deconstructed and then added to and reinvented).



“Our burgeoning nightlife scene is really inspiring me to make clothing right now ... I feel like, if we’re going to have all these super cool parties, we really should have more fabulous outfits to show up in,” Gridley explains.



Until Tacoma’s fair/festival/farmer’s market circuit begins, Gridley can be found doing henna at most Mad Hat Tea Company events. Her soaps and magnets are sold out of the downtown Tacoma tea company, too.



Shop on her Web site: www.jadamoon.etsy.com.