Category Archives: philly creatives

philly creatives – elizabeth mctear

honest-alchemy

 

Founded in 2010, Honest Alchemy is a sustainable textile and accessory design company that uses 100% natural fibers and plant-based pigments. Handmade by Philadelphia-based artist Elizabeth McTear, each piece is made with a deliberate consideration for tradition and timeless style. Drawing inspiration from the elements and nature, she strives to create goods that reflect her vision of utilitarian art for the everyday. Elizabeth’s reverence for her craft is unmistakable — her indigo stained hands tell the story of a maker who doesn’t compromise quality or cut corners. On any given night of the week, Elizabeth is at her studio feeding her living artwork. Perched over a bubbling cauldron of organic natural indigo dye, she meticulously feeds the live bacteria that ferment her dye bath a regimented diet of wheat bran and sake. Fermenting her dye, feeding it, keeping it warm–the continual care required of her craft is exemplary of her devotion to sustainable textile design. Be sure to pay the shop a visit, and check out her gorgeous designs at Anthropologie!

 photography by erick steinberg of jolly bureau + styling by jessica barros cramer of king of the beasts

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explain your business and the idea behind it.

I make utilitarian art for the everyday. My work is meant to be enjoyed by the average person while being ethically and environmentally responsible.

at what point did you decide to make your passion a business, and what inspired you?

I’m an artist, first and foremost, and will always be an artist. Whether it is being a full time designer and artist for my living or doing it in my spare time, my work will always happen. However, as I spend more time in the studio and start gaining more attention for the work I’m doing, I’m taking serious steps to eventually segue this into a legitimate business. I’m enamored with the idea of waking up and spending my days in the studio, connecting more fully with the incredible community of creatives in the city, and building relationships with businesses and shops that I admire.

as you’ve developed your business/brand, what has surprised you most?

I’m regularly surprised that I’ve enjoyed the success I have thus far. I’d do the work anyway, be it for the masses or for myself. But the fact that people are responding so positively to the point where they are willing to buy it for themselves is something I didn’t initially anticipate. I cannot express how thankful I am for that.

when did you know you’d “made it” as a creative entrepreneur?

Ha! I suppose that depends on your definition of “made it”. I thought I “made it” when someone first bought something I’d made with my own two hands. Then I thought I “made it” when I got accepted into various markets and events. Then, when I upgraded my studio and operations, I thought that I’d made it. And then when Anthropologie called me in for a meeting and ordered 150 scarves, I thought “ah-ha! I made it!”. So, I’m not sure. I think that as each new challenge or goal is met, I sort of make it, at least to a new level. Maybe “making it” just means taking on challenges and doing your best to succeed, learning from your mistakes along the way, and challenging yourself to doing better each day.

what projects are you most proud of?

I have a degree in Textile Design, but my education was with synthetic dyes for natural fibers. I never worked with natural dyes, which has a completely different chemical profile. Indigo in particular is a beast who’s nuances and moods take a lifetime to understand. Though I’ve only been working with the natural indigo for about two years now, I’ve learned a great deal (and am fully aware of how much I do NOT know). I’m really proud that I’ve taken on the challenge of working with indigo and have started expanding into other natural dyes. I hope to pursue it for the rest of my life, and maybe, as an old lady, I’ll finally have mastered natural dyeing.

where do you work from? tell us about your office and/or studio.

I have a shared studio in South Philly, at 1241 Carpenter Street. I LOVE IT. I have an excellent studio-mate (Lisa Haskell – look her up!). My building is full of wonderful artists and designers (Giant Dwarf, Sarah Louise Davey, Made by Hank, Miss Millie Ceramics, Works by M. Morton, Heavy Bubble, Pink Bike Ralph and many more). It’s inspiring to be in a place so full of creative energy and part of such a lovely community of artists.

how has social media helped to further your business?

Social media has been instrumental in furthering my business. Platforms like instagram are perfectly tailored for visual artists to show progress, catalog their work and connect with their potential customers as well as other creative people. I’ve been very lucky to be a featured instagram user, which garnered my 18K followers. And recently a photo of mine was featured on Etsy’s IG feed, thus growing people’s awareness of me and my work. Additionally, social media has been really helpful in connecting me with like-minded businesses and the people behind them, giving me a space to talk shop with people, build relationships, and further my reach. I’ve even been lucky enough to make real friends through social media and build my business with great people.

what is the most challenging aspect of running your own business?

Juggling all the various aspects of it. I love the studio work, but there’s a lot of tasks that aren’t fun or sexy or exciting, like accounting work and the nitty-gritty of business logistics and such. These aspects are completely imperative to take care of though. If you want a business, you have to take on ALL of the business, not just the fun stuff. Otherwise you’re just enjoying your hobby, which is fine if you’re not aiming to make a real living off of your creative work. But my aim is to eventually make this a lucrative venture that I can do full time, so I have to put in the work for that to happen.

what drives you most as an independent creative?

I’m fueled by the work. I often have trouble sleeping because my brain won’t shut up. I have too many ideas and won’t get to all of them in my one lifetime, but at least I’ll never be bored. But with the time I do have, I’d like to explore as many of my ideas as possible–I’m always excited to get into the studio and push a little more on things I’ve got rattling around in my head.

define creative.

Every act of creation is first an act of destruction – Pablo Picasso
When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe – John Muir
Knowing these two things helps me understand the nature of what I do, the responsibilities I have when it comes to doing it, and how my work is connected to much larger things, thus my desire to be ethical and environmentally conscientious.

 

please check out Elizabeth elsewhere… etsy / twitter /  instagram / pinterest

**philly creatives is a regular feature..read the archives here** 

philly creatives – chanee vijay

philly-creatives-chanee-vijay

 

Born out of a passion for eco-friendly, sustainable and stylish design, Chanee Vijay Textiles specializes in hand-printed, organic and modern home decor. Despite the growth and success her business has achieved, Chanee’s slow design philosophy has not waivered–her dedication is inspiring. With her hand in each step of the design process, she draws, carves, paints and pulls her designs, before sewing them with her beloved vintage Bernina (read more about her process and see a fun stop motion video here). In addition to her pillows, I’m smitten with all of her creations, including framed prints, tableware, and her latest – aprons (made from a delicious European hemp), debuting soon! Her impeccable, restrained taste extends to every aspect of her life, and it’s a delight to call Chanee a good friend. We first connected online years ago, having both moved from Charlotte to Philadelphia, discovering later we have mutual friends and lived only a few blocks from each other.  We are currently working on an exciting collaboration…stay tuned!

what inspires you?

There are so many outlets for inspiration – blogs, print magazines, design books – but like many designers, I spend more time working than browsing for inspiration. I’m almost overly inspired every day because I’m a visual person. I have years of inspiration built up – after traveling to India twice, and cycling through France, Italy and New Zealand- there’s still so much to tap into.  Over the past few years I’ve found a wonderful online community of designers, makers, design bloggers and artists. Some of these creative people I’ve met in real life at design events, and others I hope to meet. They are so talented and supportive, which keeps me energized. I use Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest to share new designs with them, home design ideas, and to see bits of their beautiful lives. Whenever I check my Instagram feed in the evening, I have the urge to go back into my studio and create.

what did you do prior to starting your own business?

I left my job in new product marketing at Bank of America in 2010. I spent my mornings writing new product concepts, creating marketing governance presentations, and other focused writing tasks. I spent my afternoons on conference calls. I traveled once a month to conduct focus groups to test the new product concepts.

at what point did you decide to make your passion a business, and what inspired you?

My husband saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. While I was still working at Bank of America, he encouraged me to start a blog about eco-friendly home decor. A year later, he encouraged me to make and sell something with that same eco-minded blog brand. I didn’t know I had a maker in me, but apparently he knew I did. Once you’re doing something you love and have the support you need to grow, it’s difficult to go back to writing Powerpoint decks full of corporate jargon. It’s really incredible that I have such a supportive husband that continues to encourage me to grow my business while staying true to my slow design philosophy.

explain your business and the idea behind it.

I remember sending a tweet on Twitter exclaiming that I was not a crafty person. At the time I was working in marketing at a bank and had an eco-friendly design blog, called {me}longings. Thinking back to that tweet now makes me laugh…as I glance around my studio full of screens, ink, test prints, bolts of fabric and stacks of pillow covers. I started designing pillow covers because I wanted washable pillows for my home – both sophisticated and eco-friendly – so I  made them from scratch. There’s definitely a sense of pride since I taught myself how to print. I probably do it a little differently, but it works for me.

as you’ve developed your business/brand, what has surprised you most?

I’ve watched my sales double and triple each year, and it’s great to make a profit. But I’ve learned that growth for growth’s sake doesn’t fit into my business model. I can’t increase my production much more, so I have to raise my prices to keep up with demand. I design what I like, what fits my aesthetic, and I work with people who appreciate it. This keeps me on a clear path that allows me to stay true to my design vision, my brand and the principles of slow and sustainable design. I feel fortunate that I get make something I like every day.

when did you know you’d “made it” as a creative entrepreneur?

I don’t think there was one moment when I realized it. There were little moments that built upon each other…like interest from West Elm and the Better Homes & Garden photo shoot of our former home in Charlotte. One of those exciting moments was when companies I admired wanted to collaborate with me or sell my textiles in their stores. For example, I collaborated with Schoolhouse Electric to design and print two pillows for their spring home wares collection. It’s wonderful to work with large companies who understand the nature of handmade items, give the maker credit and promote the collaboration.

where do you work from? tell us about your office and/or studio.

I work from the 4th floor of my 200+ year old Federal row house in center city. My studio has the best light for printing and photography – especially in the morning. It has 2 skylights and this incredible wall of windows that opens to my roof deck.  My bolts of hemp fabric are attached to wall over my super sized printing table. Adjacent to the printing table is a very large sink for rinsing my screens, and another large table on casters for cutting and packaging orders. I have an area dedicated to photography near the wonderful wall of windows, a table for sewing and serging, and a desk for my laptop, printer, etc. On the opposite wall, I keep my finished pillow covers and loose fabric in two glass hutches  atop three filing cabinets. It’s my sunny happy place.

what’s a typical work day look like for you?

With coffee in hand, I start the day on the computer – reviewing shop orders, printing mailing labels and writing thank you (by hand) notes to clients, answering client emails, and making the “to print” list for the day. By 10am I’m cutting fabric, mixing ink and prepping my printing table to screen print the day’s orders. Since my studio is on the 4th floor of our home, I try to have lunch in the kitchen to break up the day. I spend the afternoon sewing pillow orders printed a few days before, and wrapping up the pillows orders due for shipping. I walk the packages to the post office, then take my big dogs for their afternoon walk. In the spring, summer, and fall, I return to the studio to prep, print or sew until the light fades and the sun starts setting. In between all of those tasks, I’m cleaning up after myself. So much thread, so much ink!

what is the most challenging aspect of running your own business?

Finding time to design. I make things all day. But the more successful I get, the less time I have for design work. There’s a beautiful balance somewhere and I know I’m close to finding it. The biggest challenge was my transition from a handmade Etsy shop to a print making design studio – doesn’t that sound more official? It’s so true though. I was getting attention from national magazines, prominent design bloggers, West Elm, and many others wanting to sell or feature my pillows. I finally decided that the wholesale model doesn’t work for my design process. I simply can’t make 1000 pillows at cost, and have a life with time to do some actual designing. I learned to align my brand with companies and stores that have similar aesthetics, and an appreciation for ‘made by the designer’ eco-friendly textiles. Basically, I’m very picky.

what projects are you most proud of?

Sometimes it’s the little things. I love working with my mother. She’s an incredible seamstress and she’s taught me so much. She ran her own bridal shop for 30 + years, and sewed my wedding dress – made of hemp/silk, of course. When she visits we make pillows, aprons, pouches, bags and other pieces that don’t always end up for sale in my Etsy shop. I like the process of collaborating with another person. I tend to take risks that I wouldn’t necessarily take if I was working alone.

 

please check out Chanee elsewhere… shop / etsy / twitter / facebook / instagram / pinterest

 **philly creatives is a regular feature..read the archives here** 

philly creatives – sara selepouchin

sara-selepouchin

 

As with many creative endeavors, what started as a hobby has blossomed into a prosperous business for Sara Selepouchin. She finds inspiration in useful and fun things, and using her degree in architecture + mechanical drawing skills, turns them into diagram format. I first discovered Girls Can Tell at a local market, and left with a tandem bicycle tea towel, and an eiffel tower art print (of course). Her work has received many accolades, both local and international, and in addition to her online shop, she has a brick + mortar boutique in Philadelphia. Occassionette is her retail shop, housing all of her Girls Can Tell line, among other unique goods and gifts. The shop recently won a coveted “Best of Philly” award-toted as the “Best Pinterest Board Come to Life”! Her talent + dedication continues to inspire me…thank you Sara!

at what point did you decide to make your passion a business + what inspired you? 

My business became a business over a relatively long time – I had been making gifts for friends for a while. Then Etsy was created, and I joined fairly soon after the site launched. I sold my work as a hobby on Etsy for a few years before I had the opportunity and circumstance to really let it take off. Once I decided to sell gifts featuring my illustrations full time, I really embraced it and ran with it. To be honest, the pressure of needing to make a living – pay my bills and be a productive member of society! – working for myself really inspired me to work incredibly hard at first, and it still does (to some degree). When you’re your own boss, the need to not let your boss down can be sort of life consuming.

what brought you to Philly + how does it inspire you? 

I moved to Philadelphia to be closer to my family (I grew up in Toms River, on the Jersey Shore, but went to school and lived in Charlottesville, Virginia). Philly’s a great city, and I’ve often said I really am only able to do what I do because I live here. The cost of living is really reasonable for how much the city has to offer, and there’s a fantastic network of makers and artists here who are really supportive and incredible. It’s also a really tough city in some ways – people really spend wisely here, so it can be tough to sell handmade work locally, but I’ve tried to use that to inform my line and make it smarter… If your work sells well in Philly, it’s probably pretty solid.

what is the most rewarding aspect of your work?

The most rewarding aspect of my work is when people come back and tell me that they gave something I made as a gift and it was well received. Thoughtful gift giving is such an art, and when people really love giving and receiving my work, it makes me really, really happy.

what advice would I give someone considering a similar path?  

Treat your business as a business. If you don’t take yourself seriously – in your pricing, in how you present yourself, in how you organize everything – it will be nearly impossible for anyone else to take it seriously. Also, that great nugget of wisdom from Conan O’Brien – “If you work really hard, and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.”  (Just don’t confuse being kind with being a sucker…)

what is the story behind your business name? 

Girls Can Tell is the name of the album I was listening to most when I taught myself how to screenprint.

what projects are you most proud of? 

My new little brick and mortar boutique in South Philadelphia – Occasionette. It feels like a dream. It’s completely the culmination of all my professional experiences, and I love it to pieces.

how has social media helped to further your business?

This is where the advice about being kind comes into play… I’ve found that when you’re completely genuine, people respond in amazing ways. If you love something someone else is doing, post about it. If you’re working on and sharing something you love, it shows. I’ve also connected with some amazing makers in this way – and made some great friends! But I strongly believe the root of its usefulness it being completely genuine.

what is the most challenging aspect of running your own business? 

Stepping back regularly. Stepping away to maintain work / life balance (most small business owners would somewhat happily work all day every day, which is obviously a recipe for being pretty miserable). So stepping back to relax and remember why you work, which is awesome because it refreshes you and makes you better at what you do. And also stepping back to see things more objectively. Sometimes it’s hard not to take a critique or comment on your business personally, because as a small business owner you pour so much of yourself into what you do. But being able to step back and evaluate the situation without being overcome by emotion is important.

what’s a typical work day look like? 

I usually stop to grab a coffee at my favorite coffee shop on my 4 block walking commute, or I make plans with a friend to have coffee in some other corner of the city. Then head into the shop. My retail shop, Occasionette, and Girls Can Tell share a big storefront space on Passyunk Avenue. I try to take care of the most important stuff in the morning before the shop opens – shipping wholesale orders, replying to emails, writing invoices and contacting any suppliers or reps I need to be in touch with.

I open the shop around noon, which means thinking of something fun to write on the sidewalk chalkboard (it’s tougher than it sounds!), turning on the lights and picking a playlist for the day. I work in between people coming in to browse, but I love stopping to chat when people stop by. Then in the late afternoon, one of the great shop girls on the Occasionette team comes in to work the evening shift. We catch up, sometimes we make new displays or go over an order for new products for the shop and then I go back to working on Girls Can Tell stuff. I usually pretend I’m going to call it a day when they get in, but about half the time I end up staying to work in the back until the shop closes anyway. And that’s pretty much it!

when did you know you had “made it” as a creative entrepreneur?

Oh, gosh. Does this ever happen? It sounds lovely. I’m not sure I’ll ever completely feel like I’ve made it. I usually feel like the man behind the curtain pretending to be the mighty and powerful wizard of Oz.

 

please check out Sara elsewhere… shop / etsy / twitter / facebook / instagram 

 **philly creatives is a regular feature..read the archives here** 

philly creatives gift guide

philly-creatives-gift-guide

 

In honor of small business saturday, a few of my favorite gifts from my neighborhood, Philadelphia! There is so much talent in this city I could make numerous gift guides, but I’ve narrowed it down to a lucky thirteen. Happy shopping!

 

1…ASH + ANCHOR sovay charcoal single loop infinity scarf // use code PARTYROCKIN20 for 20% off through 12/2

2…THREE POTATO FOUR good life key tags // use code THANKSGIVING for free domestic shipping through 12/3

3…MELONGINGS metallic bronze cocktail napkins set of 4 // use code GRATEFUL20 for 20% off through 12/3

4…FORAGE HABERDASHERY union denim necktie // use code THANKS for 30% off through 12/2

5…BABY JIVES personalized star cloud ornament // use code BABYJIVESHOLIDAY for $10 off orders of $75 or more

6…PEG + AWL reclaimed oak iPad easel // use code SMALLBUSINESS for 20% off through 12/2

7…CHEZ SUCRE CHEZ cross-stitch black and white wreath // use code HOLIDAY2013 through 12/2

8…HAND IN HAND SOAP buy a bar, give a bar, various scents // use code CYBERMONDAY valid 12/1 – 12/2

9…GIANT DWARF twinkle sparkler pair // use code SPARKLE for 20% off through 12/2

10..SQUID WHALE DESIGNS hand-dyed canvas sea + sky zip purse //

11..RIVAL BROS. COFFEE small batch roasted coffee // use code BLACKCOFFEE through 12/2

12..ART IN THE AGE craft spirits // spirits not sold in store but support other local talent with numerous deals in store!

13..COCO LOVE HOMEMADE red whoopies “love”gift // use code SHIP1209 for 10% off through 12/1

 

philly creatives – kimberly scola

kimberly-scola-chez-sucre-chez

 

Upon discovering chez sucre chez for the first time, I was hooked (pun intended). Her limited edition and one-of-a-kind cross-stitch pieces are quite sought after-I first fell in love with an embroidered Smith’s quote. Who knew cross-stitch could be so modern?! Like many other creatives, Kimberly Scola has taken a passion from the past and made it new again. Her work is thoughtful, playful, and unique, with custom designs like the beautiful pieces hanging in Marie + Henry’s nursery (which I will always treasure). It’s been a pleasure getting to know Kimberly…the love and passion for her craft and her customers is evident, and she works incredibly hard. Not only does she attend to every detail of her business herself, but she is helping others learn the craft through teaching and diy kits. She is a woman of many talents, and it’s wonderful to learn more about her professional journey and how she built  a successful business around her passion.

what is the story behind your business name?

Chez-sucre-chez is an intentionally terrible translation of home-sweet-home into French, but it came from an honest mistake.

While living in Manhattan, a couple of my Parisian friends came to visit and stay with me for a week. We’d go out and walk the city from top to bottom, seeing the sights and doing fun New York City things. When we’d get back to my apartment after one of these long days, they would say, in their pretty-good English, “Ah, home sweet home!”

Months later, I went to visit them in Paris. One day, after we’d been out and about, we approached the door to their flat and I, thinking quickly and the best I could with my self-taught French, exclaimed, “Ah, chez… sucre chez?” If I remember correctly, they both gave me very quizzical looks and then laughed when they figured out what I was trying to say.

My funny little French mistake stuck in my head and then, months later I started using it as my company name. As my work is so inspired by old fashioned notions of home, including those classic old samplers, it fits. Plus, I never had to worry about anyone else already having that as a URL or user name. It does kind of stink to have to spell it out whenever I’m placing an order or something like that, and it is embarrassing when French speakers ask me about it – but most times they, like those who know nothing about French, find it charming, and they appreciate the story.

at what point did you decide to make your passion a business? 

Jobs weren’t too plentiful when I moved to rural PA – especially in the industry where I’d previously worked; design and graphics.  I had started chez-sucre-chez just a few months before moving away from Brooklyn, and I’d been really lucky in attracting attention from some big blogs in those first few months, but at that time, it was still something I just did for fun. Once out there in my new little town, though, with plenty of space to set up a studio and not many other options, I decided to give it a go in making chez-sucre-chez my full-time gig. Fortunately, the surrounding area was full of inspiration; the art of the Pennsylvania Dutch, old quilts and samplers, hex signs, stone buildings and barns…I was feeling really creative and really positive. I put all of my energy into it and somehow, I’ve been making it work ever since!

what did you do prior to starting your business? 

When I lived in Boston, I worked at graphics and web design companies, doing traffic and project management. Then I moved to New York just at the time of the whole dot com bubble burst, and it was really difficult to find a job doing what I’d done in Boston, so I switched gears completely and applied to the New York City Teaching Fellows. I was accepted, and after a six week crash course in teaching, I found myself in front of my own fifth grade classroom in the Inwood/Washington Heights section of upper Manhattan. I taught fifth grade for four years, and though I loved it, and my students, I realized towards the end of the fourth year that it was kind of killing me. I gave all of myself to those kids and found that, at the end of the day, I had absolutely nothing left for myself. Always a creative person, I didn’t even have the time or energy to knit, and I realized that this was making me really unhappy, so I left teaching. I think it was almost immediately after that that I really became who I am today.

how did you get into the business of making things?

My first business (that I can remember) was in sixth grade, making and selling friendship bracelets at lunch with my friend Christi. We had a little receipt book and all of the .25 and .50 cent sales that we made went towards buying cookies.

The next business that I had was when I lived in Boston; a made-to-order ceramics business that I called “petit-a-petit.” (see a theme here?)

Making feels like a really integral part of who I am, and I think I’m happiest when I’m doing it for work.

what brought you to Philadelphia? 

In 2008, after living in big cities for 12 years (Boston and New York), I got to missing Pennsylvania, and the countryside around where I went to college (Kutztown University). I wanted a home of my own, with a yard, in a simpler place where I was closer to where my food was being grown. So, I bought a house and moved out to the country.

where do you work from? tell us about your studio.

I now live in Thornton, PA – a little less than 30 miles south of Philadelphia, in the Brandywine River Valley area. My boyfriend and I rent out the top floor of a big old 1840’s farmhouse, and this is where I have my studio.  It feels like living and working in a treehouse, with our windows looking out into and over the canopy of ancient black walnut and pine trees. It’s been a long time since the property was used as a working farm, but it’s still a wonderfully inspiring place with so much charm. There seems to always be some plant or tree in bloom somewhere in the large yard, we watch the sun rise over the trees from one side of the house, and set from the other, and we’ve got hawks and owls and bunnies and deer (and an elusive fox) — it’s pretty great!

My studio is where all of my supplies and materials live, and where most of my work happens, but I do admit, that often, my work overtakes most of the house…. Sometimes, the light is best in the bathroom, or the laundry room, and so that’s where a photoshoot happens. The kitchen table often becomes a work table, the living room usually has a few boxes that are waiting to be opened or sent out, and there’s always a needle, thread, and scissors in just about every room.

what does a typical work day look like for you?

A typical work day is almost always anything but typical! I’m honestly not so good at routine, and I tend to take on at least three things at once, hopping from one task to another and back again to the first with the attention span of a toddler. Luckily, with so many different kinds of things that need to be done at any one time, I can jump from task to task and never get bored. I find that it works for me to spend the mornings doing computer work, the days doing the active work of assembling kits, taking photos, shipping orders, etc. and the evenings I spend sitting and doing my stitching work. With a business like this, the work/life balance is a challenge, and loving what I do as much as I do, it’s even more of a challenge, because I rarely ever want to put down the needle and thread!

Cooking and baking are what I do to get away from work, it’s what relaxes me and at the same time keeps my hands busy. Working from home, I find that kitchen time – doing the dishes, starting the evening meal, listening to NPR, maybe drinking a glass of wine – is a great way for me to transition out of work mode.

what are the most rewarding aspects of your work? 

Interacting with my customers is, by far, the most rewarding aspect of my job. I love seeing the same faces at craft fairs year after year, getting emails and photos of completed kits from customers, meeting people who tell me they’ve followed my blog or started stitching because I what I do. It is *so* rewarding. I have customers who I’ve kept in touch with for years – people who supported chez-sucre-chez when I was just starting out and who continue to order new pieces or kits, and now I think of them as friends; Dana in Pasadena CA, Susan in Milford NJ, Thorbjorn in Sweden, Sandy in Florida – these folks make my job the best.

I love that, so often with the work I do, especially the custom-stitched ones, there’s a personal story behind the pieces that I’m sending out. It’s wonderful to have a job where I’m able to share that sort of connection with the person on the other end; that I’m able to create something that makes them happy and that becomes a part of their home. I really really love that.

what is the most challenging aspect of running your own business?

The most challenging aspect of running my own business is getting everything done! I’m a one-woman operation, which means everything that needs to be done, needs to be done by me. All of the emails, all of the production, all of the photos and shop management and packing and shipping and  – everything else! I’ve had interns in the past, but that was always kind of challenging for two reasons because one, I’m a bit of a control freak when it comes to chez-sucre-chez and two, I think I’m a pretty terrible boss because I’m just too nice. My mother retired a couple of years ago and she has been amazingly supportive and a wonderful helper when I need her; she’s one of the few people I trust to iron tea towels to my standards!

Years ago, in a particularly busy spell, my father asked me, “What are you going to do when you get so big that you can’t handle it all on your own?” He was suggesting that I was going to have to sub my work out, or get one of those fancy embroidery machines that does the stitching for me. And I did consider that for a little while. However, that’s just not chez-sucre-chez… I really believe that the integrity of chez-sucre-chez is that it *is* so hand-made… It’s important to me that I’m doing the hand stitching, that it’s done the way we remember our mothers and grandmothers doing it. That is what I think makes chez-sucre-chez unique, and it’s what people seem to appreciate when they tell me at craft fairs, “You just don’t see work like this anymore.” Through my diy kits, teaching workshops, and my love for what I do, I’m trying to change that.

what inspires you?

I’m inspired by the old traditional homespun handicrafts, – the things that women (and men!) used to just make for themselves and their home. I’m inspired by the old pioneer spirit of using scraps and the materials at hand to make a beautiful and functional home. I’m inspired by the phrase “make do and mend.” I’m inspired by heirlooms and what it means to craft something meaningful with pride and skill so that it becomes a part of someone’s life.

 

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