Sunday Solitude
Remember the milkweed pods?
Here they are in the winter - all the seeds dispersed.
February 26, 2017
February 25, 2017
Saturday Spotlight: Inner Insights
Saturday Spotlight
Inner Insights
1. What is the name of your business and what do you sell?
We teach Aromatherapy, hot stone, deep tissue, holistic spa & infant & prenatal massage.
We also have a dozen workshops on how to make your own natural skin care products and remedies. We offer Goddess Retreats, all inclusive womens weekends once a year.
2. Where are you located or where do you sell?
We have a holistic spa with a student clinic at 60% off our regular rates.
We are the partner spa to Marriott Residence Inn & Metro Hotels.
We sell essential oils, vegan skin care line such as salves, perfumes, deodorants, hemp soaps & shampoos.
3. Do you have your own website/store or online link?
4. How long have you been doing your craft/art and how did you get started?
Inner Insights Holistic School & Spa celebrates 19th years in February.
5. Who or what inspires you to create?
I am grateful for the opportunity to share & inspire others towards natural healing.
6. What is one of your best moments as a crafter/artist?
Best experience was my homebirth where I squatted & pulled my son out myself. The support of massage, herbal baths, essential oils & soothing music helped create the most empowering and magical experience in my life.
February 22, 2017
February 19, 2017
February 18, 2017
Saturday Spotlight: Crochet by Chrissy
Saturday Spotlight
Crochet by Chrissy
1. What is the name of your shop or business and what do you sell?
I sell handmade crochet accessories and quality items.
I also do a lot of custom work by request.
2. Where are you located? or where do you sell?
Ingersoll (my shop is from my home)
3. Do you have your own website/store or online link?
Facebook: https://facebook.com/crochet.by.chrissy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crochetbychrissy/
4. How long have you been doing your craft/art and how did you get started?
Started by little business in 2012.
Began crocheting though when I was 10 or so (which would be 34 years now! Yikes)
5. Who or what inspires you to create?
Each item is insipired by something/someone different.
6. Do you listen to music when you work, and if so what kind?
No I watch tv - Netflix mostly : like The office, Gilmore girls, etc
7. What do you like least/most about your craft?
That I'm pretty addicted to it and I therefore would rather crochet than exercise, or do laundry, lol!
8. Describe your workspace?
Big cosy leather chair
9. What is one of your best moments as a crafter/artist?
When someone lets me know that they love their item/s and when they send pics too!
10. What advice would you give to anyone thinking about starting their own craft business?
Worry about what YOU are doing - not what others are doing!
Do your best, and packaging matters!
February 15, 2017
February 12, 2017
February 11, 2017
Saturday Spotlight: Wooly Maple
Saturday Spotlight
Wooly Maple
1. What is the name of your shop or business and what do you sell?
My name is Ashley Burt and I own Wooly Maple, a line of hand crafted crochet accessories and screen printed apparel. My products include hats, infinity scarves, headbands, Tote bags, T shirts, Tank Tops and Sweatshirts. I also offer crochet workshops for those interested in learning the craft.
2. Where are you located? or where do you sell?
I operate out of my home in Old South.
My products can be purchased at Loveleigh Boutique in Downtown London, and at the many events and shows I participate in throughout the year. The next one is the Spring Merry Makers Fair on Sunday, May 7th at the Covent Garden Market.
3. Do you have your own website/store or online link?
You can find Wooly Maple on Facebook : www.facebook.com/woolymaple
and on Instagram @woolymaple
4. How long have you been doing your craft/art and how did you get started?
I have been crocheting for over 10 years, and started professionally 2 years ago. I started the business because I was in between jobs and needed a way to bring income into the household. I've since gained a full time job, but Wooly Maple has only gotten bigger since!
5. Who or what inspires you to create?
The city of London and the people in it are what inspire me. I take my queues from my customers; if I get enough requests for an item or product, I'll start offering it regularly. My clothing line is a great example of that. I rebranded last year and everyone loved my logo so much that they wanted to see it on T shirts and tank tops, I had no intention of learning how to screen print or to start a clothing line! But, the people spoke!
6. Do you listen to music when you work, and if so what kind?
I listen to Basia Bulat, a Canadian Folk singer on repeat when I'm working. Over and over, same albums, all the time. She is one of my favorites and I've come to associate her music with being creative. I don't even think about it anymore, If I'm working...Basia is on.
7. What do you like least/most about your craft?
What I like most is the sense of purpose it gives me. It's a wonderful feeling going to bed at the end of the day knowing you spent it doing something that truly matters to you.
What I like least is the Social Media aspect. It's a necessary evil in order to be a successful brand, but it often takes up time that I'd rather be spending creating.
8. Describe your workspace?
Chaos. Utter chaos!
I have a craft room but it's full of supplies, so I work in my living room/dining room.
Yarn everywhere, all the time!
You have to call before you come over, otherwise I'm not opening the door :)
9. What is one of your best moments as a crafter/artist?
One of the best moment's in my business was the first time a customer sent me a selfie wearing one of my hats. It wasn't a friend or a relative, it was a complete stranger who didn't know me at all, but loved my product so much that she took the time to take and send me a photo.
To know someone other than myself was proud to be wearing Wooly Maple was a huge moment for me. There are so many talented makers in London that I "Fan Girl" over, so to be on the receiving end of that affection made me think " Okay, maybe I've got something here..."
10. What advice would you give to anyone thinking about starting their own craft business?
Make it a priority.
Starting your own business is a lot of long, long, long hours and very hard work.
It's so worth it, but it's not easy and you get out of it what you put into it.
February 08, 2017
February 05, 2017
February 04, 2017
Saturday Spotlight: Drift Away Art
Saturday Spotlight
Drift Away Art
1. What is the name of your shop or business and what do you sell?
The name of my hobby (business) is Drift Away Art which is a mixture of Canadian driftwood and stained glass captured in the form of mini sail boats set upon a unique piece of glass infused driftwood. It also includes Message in a Bottle, Framed Art, Crazy Eyed Fish, Mood Boxes, Sun Reflectors, Christmas tree and Robin decorations, Lighthouses and nautical glass pebbles.
2. Where are you located? or where do you sell?
I'm located in London (home) and I usually sell at craft shows.
I have my pieces in The Been Garden on Dundas,
Glass in Motion (Grand Bend & Sauble Beach) and
Lake Life Studio in Camlachie ON.
3. Do you have your own website/store or online link?
I don't have my own website yet but watch this space it's coming soon.
I put everything I make on Facebook and Instagram so people usually PM me with requests and orders.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drift_away_art/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DriftAwayArt1/
4. How long have you been doing your craft/art and how did you get started?
I've been doing Drift Away Art for just over a year now; I got started after I took a stained glass course in London and loved it, but wanted to do something with glass and driftwood after I finished so Drift Away Art was born.
I'd like to thank
everybody who continuously supports Drift Away Art whether you are a Facebook
or Instagram liker, a customer, a shop owner for selling my unique pieces or a
friendly smile with lovely comments at a craft show. I thank you from the
bottom of my heart my making Drift Away Art turn from an idea into a reality
and a dream come true.
I appreciate and value every single one of you.
5. Who or what inspires you to create?
The beach and water are my inspiration; I could spend all day at the beach collecting driftwood and watching the waves.
6. Do you listen to music when you work, and if so what kind?
I have started to lately it's usually a mixture of modern country, Sarah Smith, Pink and 90's pop music.
7. What do you like least/most about your craft?
Cutting my fingers on the glass is what I like the least especially when I'm grinding the glass.
The look on a customers face when they see my Drift Away Art pieces that is priceless and the best feeling ever.
8. Describe your workspace?
My workplace is my studio at home. I have 2 work stations, one for cutting and prepping and a soldering table, lots of shelves full of completed pieces and my two mini dachshunds dog bed in the corner they keep me company whilst I'm in there.
9. What is one of your best moments as a crafter/artist?
The best moment was the first time I sold my first piece of art at a show (I thought somebody actually likes my work) it's really hard putting your art work out there as it is an extension of yourself, so it's like people are judging you too.. it's very scary.
10. What advice would you give to anyone thinking about starting their own craft business?
Start very slow, know what you want to do, where you want your business to go.. ie just online sales, or an actual shop, know your audience and what they want, research all your marketing areas, ask other business owners for advice.
Always move forward but always remember where you started from.. one step at a time.
February 01, 2017
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)