A quick stroll through the campuses of Mill Valley Middle School or Tam High reveals a few clear trends: the continued growth of e-bike usage, jammie bottoms everywhere, and the seemingly ubiquitous presence of enamel lapel pins.
Jamie Johnson, owner of enamel lapel pin maker Impact Designs, is over the moon about the latest craze in that trio.
“Lapel pins are incredibly ‘in’ right now,” Johnson says. “Kids have them on their bags, employees have them on their aprons, expressing messages on behalf of a cause, pride slogans and happy faces – it’s really fun to see.”
Johnson, who grew up in Walnut Creek, attended Carondelet High School, lived in San Francisco for 12 years and moved to Mill Valley three years ago with her husband Jason and their two children, says their move to the 94941 has been a delight. She credits in part Mill Valley weather patterns for the decision.
“Mill Valley is 25 degrees cooler than Walnut Creek on its hottest day,” she says with a laugh.
Earlier this year, Johnson took over the Impact Designs business from her mother-in-law Linda Johnson.
Since doing so, Jamie Johnson has set about creating lapel pins for a number of local schools and organizations, and she’s receiving a feverish response.
“I feel in love here,” Johnson says. “It truly feels wonderful to have found my home.”