As a kid in school, Yabette Alfaro decided to wear her hair a different way every day. This thinking brought about all sorts of creative presentations and trends with braids and accessories! Concerned with justice, beauty, nature, and uniqueness, this thought process and self-motivated stretching has always been a part of Yabette’s way of life. After spending 20 years and college devoted to music, she traveled around the states performing live electronic music and released her own trip hop and experimental drum n bass tracks on CD and vinyl.
After landing and staying in San Francisco, she asked herself how to apply the “Think Globally, Act Locally” mantra to her own life. She came up with a brand, “Swankety Swank” and became a retailer of some notoriety in the city by the bay. Using her mastery of transformation, she would makeover and upcycle in many art forms. From showcasing her plus size clothing designs at The Supper Club, to throwing extravagant Steampunk events at her shop, she always put forth a successful effort with pomp and flair.
Having an excellent reputation of creating good quality art furniture, she built a following and repertoire of consistent sales. Winning a grant from The San Francisco Travel Center, as well as many spotlights in The San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, Brooklyn’s Bohomag and San Francisco local rags, she earned the attention for her non conformist’s style and practical approach.
As 2012 dawned, she had an epiphany to let go of it all. No longer needing the enormous undertaking in retail, she closed her shop in favor of a studio and took up oil painting. She has released herself from all unnecessary distractions, started meditating with discipline, and has an intense focus on her art. Keeping busy with commissions from followers, she has been compiling a complete collection of undersea creatures and is releasing The Luscious Bum Project in 2013.

What a treat to meet you, Yabette, mistress of your gorgeous domain! And to think, a boutique that isn’t exclusively for 20 year old anorexics who all long to look alike.
I’m inspired to wrap my head around my long-gestating painted table project.
Nasturtiums ahoy!
cheers
Polly, I enjoyed talking to you. Thank you so much for the appreciation! I look forward to working with you.
Regards,
Yabette
Hi Yabette…just saw this on storm’s facebook, and I really like your style and agree with all you say. We gotta stop the cycle that walmart has started!!! the walmarting of america is my pet peeve…anyway, we agree, enough of that.
I love the looks of the shop and i knew Storm when he was here in Greensboro.
Just wanted to mention that i have a delightful crazy shaped armchair covered in the SAME oriental upholstery as on your raspberry chair! I just love it, although the dogs did too and kept lifting their leg on it, so it is now cordoned off in an upstairs room….Bought mine at an auction here in NC. Have a great day! kit
Thanks for sharing that Kit! Great minds think alike. I’m glad to hear you found a way to have the chair and pets in the same house! -Yabette
I’m so inspired by your vision and results! May we all persevere in creativity, community, and giving back to nature and the muses…
Thanks for the great wishes Elizabeth!
You guys are extra cool. Of course, you would be far away. Sigh. Beautiful things!