Katarina "Kacha" Hernandez works on a piece of custom furniture Wednesday in the studio at her new storefront location at 58 Church St. in Oakland. Hernandez, who had to customize an end table while living in Colorado Springs, Colo., says she found joy in the creativity of the work. It also helped her battle depression after losing her mother. Her store, Kacha Furniture, opened this week in Oakland.

Katarina "Kacha" Hernandez arranges merchandise Wednesday at her new storefront location at 58 Church St. in Oakland. Hernandez, who had to customize an end table while living in Colorado Springs, Colo., says she found joy in the creativity of the work. It also helped her battle depression after losing her mother. Her store, Kacha Furniture, opened this week in Oakland.

Katarina "Kacha" Hernandez shares a moment Wednesday with her puppy Khaleesi at her new storefront location at 58 Church St. in Oakland.

Katarina "Kacha" Hernandez uses gold leaf to reimagine this table, which previously was darkly colored. She posted a tutorial to YouTube on the work she did to the table. Hernandez opened a store this week on Church Street in Oakland.

Katarina "Kacha" Hernandez prepares to work on a piece of custom furniture Wednesday at her new storefront location at 58 Church St. in Oakland.

Katarina “Kacha” Hernandez works on a piece of custom furniture Wednesday at her new store, Kacha Furniture, at 58 Church St. in Oakland.

Katarina "Kacha" Hernandez has opened a store, Kacha Furniture, at 58 Church St. in Oakland that features her custom-made furniture along with a variety of merchandise.