Shops That Shine - Imeon Design

 So happy to have Noemi from Imeon Design here today for my Shops that Shine series. She shares a short & sweet look into her business and her lovely creations! 

Describe the most difficult aspect to running a successful creative small business for you, and how you work to overcome it.

The most difficult aspect of running a small business, especially an online one is trying to take photographs that show clear and accurate details of the product that's been made.  Even though there are many businesses big and small that have had online shops for years, trying to convince a prospect customer, who won't get a chance to see your items in person prior to purchasing is not easy.  

When I first opened my shop, my pictures were mediocre.  By playing around with various textured backgrounds, light boxes and lamps, I finally managed to figure out what worked best and that was natural lighting.  As natural lighting differs from season to season, I take note of what time of day produces the best photos and try to take photos only during that particular time of day.

What efforts do you take to make your shop shine?

One thing that remains constant in the products I create is that they are an expression of myself.  I put my heart into everything I make and will rarely list an item that I'm not 100% satisfied with.    

How do you see your business growing in the future?

Along with trying to get my items in local shops and craft fairs, I hope to grow my business by expanding my creativity into photography, sewing and more detailed and layered paper designs.

Tell us what's in store for your shop; any new products, shop changes or celebrations?

I will be celebrating my 3rd year as a small online shop at the end of March.  This is a great milestone for me, because it was not in my initial plans to come as far as I have or to still be doing this.  I had intended to go back to a 9-5 job once my kids entered school.  

You've established a successful shop, can you offer one piece of golden advice for those just starting out?

Be true to who you are and the rest will fall into place.

Thank you Noemi for sharing your wisdom and ideas with us. Best of luck for continued success!

find Imeon Design: 

shop:  imeondesign.etsy.com

twitter: twitter.com/imeondesign

{{do you know a shop that shines? would you like to be considered for a feature? Please send submissions to  allisa.jacobs [at] gmail [dot] com }}

Shops that Shine: Jaros Design

{{Thrilled to share my new series, Shops that Shine, a weekly post featuring shops and sites that really stand out. In addition to offering amazing creations, these shops also show incredible business moxie building remarkable brands. As an extension of my ebook, Rise & Shine, I hope we can celebrate and find inspiration from these lovely shops.}} 

 My interview with the talented Analisa from Jaros Designs: 

I am really intrigued by what inspires makers. Can you share with us where you find inspiration?

I tend to find it in my supplies – I'm inspired by gemstones and metals, they way they work together, compliment each other.  I also love reading blogs, fashion blogs, cooking blogs, home décor – I get tons of color ideas from talented bloggers!

Describe the most difficult aspect to running a successful creative small business, and how you work to overcome it.

I think the most difficult part of running your own small business is reaching your audience.  There are so many talented people on Etsy, and online in general.  It takes so much technical studying and work to keep up with SEO, google searches, relevancy searches on Etsy.  I try to overcome it by not freaking out about it – whenever there's a website change, or change in technology I try to find out as much as I can and apply it in a way that works for me.  I try to not to fight change, because it's never going to go away, and hopefully it can improve your reach.

The jewelry category is quite expansive, yet your shop really stands out from all the rest. What do you think sets your shop apart ?

Thank you so much! I hope I do – but it took a long time.  I think photography has been key in standing out, I invested heavily in my equipment and took a long time learning how to take a good product shot (at least I hope so!).  That's what people are buying online, since they can't feel or hold your items, they're buying the photograph so it has to make them not only see your piece, but fall in love with it.

 How do you see your business growing in the future?

I hope to sell on my own site one day but I love the marketplace of Etsy, the exchange of ideas, surrounding myself with crafty, talented people.  I hope to have more wholesale orders to provide a foundation for my business that will fund bigger ideas. 

 Tell us what’s in store for your shop; any new products, shop changes, or celebrations?

Well I just opened a vintage shop, bellacasella, but I try not to let it take focus off my jewelry shop.  I have some embroidery, home décor products I'd love to finalize and make available, I just wish there were more hours in a day!

You’ve established a successful shop, can you offer one piece of golden advice for those just starting out?

It takes time and it's never easy.  I think for shops starting out you have to be ready to invest the time and patience it takes to nuture a product line and shop.  Be ready to not suceed right away, never be satisfied with your designs, photos, etc because we should always be trying to improve and move them forward.  Give your shop and products the opportunity to develop and embrace change.

Thank you so much Analisa for giving us a peek into your experience and sharing words of wisdom for others on their creative journey! 

You can also find Analisa here: 

Blog - http://jarosdesigns.blogspot.com/
Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/jarosdesigns/
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/JarosDesignsJewelry
Twitter - @jarosdesigns

Shops that Shine - Prunella Soap

I'm really happy to have Janell from Prunella Soap here today to share a little about her inspiration, technique, and business perspective. For me, there is so much to love about Prunella - a Portland maker, vegan ingredients, and an overall charming shop. 

Welcome to my Shops That Shine Series! I love hearing from where makers draw their inspiration, can you share with us where you find yours?

Thank you, Allisa, for the opportunity to share more about Prunella Soap!  Sometimes I feel like my business is evolving so quickly, it’s great to have the chance to step back and observe the path that the business has taken so far, and think about where it’s heading.


Generally I am drawn to products that have clean lines and simple color palettes. I love products that are very simple and straight forward but at the same time it’s apparent that the materials and construction are of high quality and have been well thought out.  I am inspired by modern architecture, interiors and modern classic furniture design and I also enjoy reading cookbooks and blogs that contain recipes using fresh, local and organic ingredients to make amazing meals. I also love baking, and am inspired by looking at recipes of artisanal breads, cakes and French pastries. When choosing my soap recipes I take into consideration the origin of the ingredients and enjoy learning more about the healing properties and cultural traditions of the natural spices and herbs that I use.

From the vegan ingredients to charming photography your shop really stands out in the world of handmade soap. What’s your approach to differentiating Prunella Soap?  

My main focus was to create a product that uses all natural, mostly food-grade ingredients that are plant-based as opposed to coming from animals. I use only essential oils – no artificial dyes, fragrances or preservatives in the soap.


Managing stock levels of a product that needs to cure for 3-4 weeks before it’s ready to sell can be challenging, so one thing I am very focused on is keeping the majority of scents in stock all of the time. I also want to be able to accommodate last minute orders once in awhile, because it’s always a great feeling to be able to provide customers exactly what they want within their timeframe.  

I chose to name my products in a very straight forward way because it can be difficult to sell fragrances online, and calling a scent “midnight symphony” or “glittering sunrise” just adds another layer of confusion to the online purchasing experience.  

As far as photo styling, I wanted to have a fun, playful and modern aesthetic because looking at a bars of soap online can be pretty boring.  I have a simple point-and-shoot Canon digital camera and am lucky to take my photos in a space that has wonderful, unobstructed natural light.

How do you see your business growing in the future?  

I would love to eventually have my own website, and work with more boutiques all across the US.  

Which aspect of running a creative business is the most enjoyable to you? And which has challenged you the most?  

I really love bringing together tangible, handmade products with technology, which is both fun and challenging at the same time.  It’s an amazing experience to use the internet as a platform to create a business with a relatively small initial financial investment and the ability to reach a giant market of consumers in seconds, but it’s also the biggest challenge.  There is such a large amount of choice for consumers now that as a businessperson you have to figure out a way to outshine the thousands of competitors, from all over the world.  Some days the fact that I have packages going out to Norway and Saudi Arabia absolutely blows me away, I really enjoy the global aspect of having an online business.

Tell us more about the old-fashioned method use to create your lovely soaps.  


Making lye soap is actually really similar to baking, except that you have to be really careful when handling lye, because it’s highly caustic until it’s mixed with the oils and has “saponified” them into soap.  Once the lye is mixed with the water and is set aside to cool, it’s all about mixing the oils, spices and scents which is the fun part. It’s important to get the ratio of ingredients exactly right, otherwise the soap will either be too drying to the skin, or will be too slick and not rinse off easily.  I use the same three base oils in all of my soaps, so the only difference is the scent of the essential oil used and the other exfoliants (coffee beans, oatmeal, poppy seeds etc.) that are added.  The pH of handmade cold process soap is typically lower than that of commercially produced soap, so many people who use it find that it is less drying to the skin than regular bar soap and also a good option for sensitive skin.


How did you prepare for the opening of Prunella Soap?


I think the biggest part of preparing to sell Prunella was designing the packaging and labels, and to make sure that all of the ingredients were listed accurately on each label.  I had been selling greeting cards on Etsy for 6 months (cooljane), so I had a pretty good idea of how much time it takes photograph products, edit photos, create listings, prepare packages for shipping and interact with customers. It’s been so tempting for me to want to rush the process of releasing new products, but whenever I list something new, I envision a football stadium full of people sitting looking at a big screen with one of my photos on it.  I ask myself “is this something I want potentially thousands of people to be able to see?”  It’s a good indication of whether or not I feel ready to launch something new.


I always say “starting is the hardest part” and if you would have told me a few years ago that I would be putting a dog on top of a bar of soap and taking a photo of it I would have thought you were crazy. I had no idea how people would respond to my “style” and I am so happy to be where I am today after just over a year in business. The reward of having my own business has been well worth the time I have put into it to make it “shine!”  

Thank you so much for sharing a bit of your story with us. Your perspective is refreshing!

You can find more Prunella here:

shop: prunellasoap.etsy.com
twitter: @prunellasoap 

blog: www.cooljanedesign.com

facebook :: facebook.com/prunellasoap 

{{do you know a shop that shines? would you like to be considered for a feature? Please send submissions to  allisa.jacobs [at] gmail [dot] com }}

Shops that Shine - Creative Mamma

Incredibly happy to have Joy from Creative Mamma here today to chat about her work. I first connected with Joy through the Oh My Handmade community and was immediately impressed by her authenticity and kindness. She shines as a source of creativity and inspiration. I've especially enjoyed discussing motherhood and transitions with Joy...which is why I'm so glad she's here to share her perspective.

Welcome Joy! Your drawings & design are charming - tell us where you find your inspiration.

Thanks so much for having me, Allisa!  I’m honored to be a part of this wonderful series and I really have enjoyed learning about the other shops that you have featured. With regards to my inspiration, my drawings are inspired by just about anything (I know, I know, everyone says that – but it’s true!). The printables that I make are usually inspired by my kids. I love making things that they can hopefully use in the future. Oh, and since I was a former teacher, I love to make things that teachers can use in their classrooms. 

You’ve mentioned your shop is in a transitional phase, can you tell a bit more about what changes, adjustments, or directions you’re taking the business?

In February of this year, my second baby was born. For some reason, I thought that I can keep the momentum of my creative business and balance the two little guys/family, and a full time job.  After a few stressful months, I had to really evaluate what I was doing.  Having a stressed out mom is no fun for anyone, so I made the decision to take huge step back and focus on my family.

Currently, I'm just having fun creating/drawing. Most of what I make end up being free.  Since I started giving things away, I've gotten so much in return (freelance jobs, etc), that I'm really just enjoying this phase of my life. I'm also taking classes/learning a lot because I feel a shift in my art and I'm just going with it...  Plus, not having the pressure of running the shop on top of my regular job and raising the babies has been such a huge weight off my shoulders. Life is just way to short to be stressed all the time.
My current plan is to make some fun free printables, do a little freelance work on the side, and enjoy every moment with my guys. 

Which aspect of creative business is the most enjoyable to you? And which has challenged you the most?

I think the most enjoyable part of the business (aside from creating) is the social aspect.  I really enjoy meeting and connecting with people on twitter, etc. The flip side of that is also the most challenging, I feel like I’m always behind in my social media interactions.  Social media has become a little bit overwhelming to me right now – so I’m also taking more breaks and stepping away from twitter and facebook from time to time.

How have you approached balancing family & work & creating? What works best for you?
To be honest, I don’t think that I will ever learn how to balance everything, and I’m ok with that.  I’m the type of person that has to learn the hard way every time, so here are some tricks that has helped me along the way:

1. It’s ok to take the long road.  I don’t like driving on the highway, so I will purposely take the long-side-street way to get to my destination. The travel time is a little bit longer, but I get to my destination eventually. So with my business, I’m ok, that things are slow – I’ll get to my creative destination at some point, it might just take me a little longer to get there.
2. It’s ok to not do it all.  This was hard for me to accept because I’m the type of person that takes something on and gives it 110%.  So when I had to evaluate my life, I had to really switch my mindset and learn to just chill out and enjoy life rather than run through it.
3. It’s ok to take a break.  I wake up extra early so I can put in some drawing time everyday.  It’s my form of meditation.  When I take breaks for myself, I find that I can focus on my family/life more.

What is your biggest dream for Creative Mamma?
My ultimate dream for Creative Mamma is for the website to be a place where people can go to find fun/useful things (apps, printables, etc.) that they can use in their day to day.  

Thanks again for having me, Allisa!  

you can find more of Joy here:

Creative Mamma CreativeMamma.com
Facebook Facebook.com/CreativeMamma
Twitter twitter.com/JoyCharde
Etsy etsy.com/theartofjoy

Shops that Shine- Smidgebox

So thrilled to welcome Lesley from Smidgebox here today! Her shop caught my attention right away when I first came across it a couple years ago. It's a bit of modern and classic charm all in one. I've enjoyed getting to know her t& am happy to share a little peek into her world. 

Welcome to my Shops That Shine Series! I love hearing where makers draw their inspiration from, can you share with us where you find yours?

Thanks for having me here Allisa! I must say that my inspiration comes from all over, and evolves depending on where I'm spending most of my time. 

Like many others, I find loads of inspiration online. When I've got the time to read the blogs that I love and chat {on twitter} with other creative minds, I find myself brimming with thoughts and ideas.

Architecture is an obsession of mine, as well as clean, modern, and mid-century interiors. I tend towards very clean lines + simple shapes in my work, and that is definitely an extension of my love of mid-century design.

Of course, my surroundings are hugely inspiring to me. Living in what I consider to be one of the most naturally beautiful places in the world, Vancouver gives me a ton of inspiration. Even on rainy days, I can pick out an amazing shade of grey! You may notice that I favour moody greys + blues in my designs, punctuated by a healthy dose of bright colour. There's a reason for that, as I'm often surrounded by cloudy skies + ocean blues, and I crave a pop of colour to round it out!

I’ve loved Smidgebox the moment I laid eyes upon it! Your brand really stands out to me in terms of your modern appeal and eye for prints. What do you feel differentiates your shop?

Thanks so much! The smidgebox aesthetic evolved quite naturally for me, simply based on the colours I love and the prints that catch my eye. I usually favour really graphic prints, with a tendency towards art-deco or mid-century influence. The colours and shapes started to repeat themselves in my work, and from there my "style" was born, so to speak!

For kids, I love to add a bit of whimsy with the fabrics that I choose to pair with my basics. I can't remember a time when I wasn't obsessed with fabrics, and finding just the right prints to add to my always-growing collection. I'm sure you can relate to that! 

I think one thing that differentiates my shop is the way I pair my fabrics. I shy away from pairing fabrics from the same collection, and prefer to mix and match from many different designers. I often create a colour combination that creates a little bit of tension, because I feel like it draws your eye, makes you want to look at it a little more closely.

Which aspect of running a creative business is the most enjoyable to you? And which has challenged you the most?
My favourite part of running this business is the interaction I have with my customers. I do a lot of custom and personalized work, and working together with a customer to create a one-of-a-kind gift {usually for babies!} is so rewarding. My customers come away with a real sense of connection to the gift they are giving, and I get to create something completely unique for every custom order! It is always  different, and always a lot of fun. The feedback I have received from custom orders is absolutely the best part of my job. Hearing from happy customers is like nothing else!
The most challenging parts for me are finding the time to work, while balancing running my household and looking after my two kids. I chose this avenue for my business so that I was able to stay home with my children, and while I feel lucky to be able to do that, it is often difficult to find the time to fit in as much work as I'd like. The kids come first, and I love the fact that my days consist of trips to the park and playing lego + dollhouse! As many creatives will attest, I have too many ideas, and not enough time to execute them. I suppose there could be worse problems, but this is my biggest challenge at the moment!

You have a new organics baby line launching soon (yay!) can you tell us a bit more about this collection and how you developed it? (sneak peeks of some items above)
My baby organics line will be launching at the One of a Kind Show in Vancouver this December. I am so excited to introduce this new facet to the smidgebox brand! 
At launch time, there will be three products in the line, which are a direct extension to my regular smidgebox products. I plan to add to the collection in the spring, with a few fresh new items, including some pieces for older children.
I developed this new collection for a few reasons. I am always on the lookout to use more earth friendly products for my family, whether it's in the clothes we wear, the food we eat, or the toys I choose for the kids. I know that conventional cottons account for a huge percentage of the world's pesticides. I decided that I'd like to introduce an organic baby collection to offer an alternative to parents looking to choose organic for their kids. Over the past year especially, the availability of organic cotton prints has exploded. Finally, there is an abundance of choice with many different manufacturers, both small and large, choosing to print on organic cotton.This is so exciting, as now there is more choice than ever for unique organic cotton prints! I have been collecting my fabrics, waiting for the right time, and I am so excited to share this collection so soon!


What is your biggest dream for smidgebox?
My dream for smidgebox is quite simple. I am striving to create a foundation for a company that can be sustainable, growing slowly over the years to come, to fulfill my need for creativity and contribute some income to my family. I aim to launch a wholesale line in the next year or so, starting slowly, and building once my children are both at school full-time. I am not about to rush this, they grow so fast, so I will continue to enjoy my children, and urge my little company along as we go!


Thank you Lesley for sharing a bit behind your inspiration & story! Looking forward to all that lays ahead for you! 

You can find more of Lesley and Smidgebox here: 

shop, Twitter, blog

{{do you know a shop that shines? would you like to be considered for a feature? Please send submissions to  allisa.jacobs [at]gmail [dot] com }}

Shops That Shine - Stephanie Fizer Coleman

{Hello! So happy to have Stephanie Fizer- Coleman here today. I've connected with her during the last year after spotting her charming shop-- she is a gifted artist and inspiration to other with handmade businesses. }

I love hearing where makers draw their inspiration from, can you share with us where you find yours?

For me, it seems that inspiration is everywhere and I'm constanty having ideas pop into my head.  Honestly, it's a great problem to have although it can even be a teensy bit frustrating because I don't always have time to drop whatever I'm doing and dive into a new idea—although sometimes the new idea is so good, I just have to start working on it right away!  I always keep an idea journal on hand though, so I can scribble down my ideas, make rough sketches and keep track of things that inspire me. 

Generally speaking, I draw a lot of inspiration from nature.  I grew up in a rural area surrounded by forest and I now live in small college town that is brimming with trees, flowers and rivers so I'm always finding myself being taken in by the colors and textures of nature.  Colors and patterns in general really inspire me too as do vintage illustrations, especially vintage children's illustrations. 

I notice that you are a self-taught artist (wow!), what steps have you taken to continuously learn and improve upon your craft?

Well, I learned initially from reading tons of art and technique books at first and then later by going through any online tutorials I could find.  And I think that's still an important part of how I continue to learn and grow as an artist, I'm still always adding new art and craft books to my library and I still enjoy browsing through tutorials when I have time. 

People always ask me what books I learned from, as if there is a magic formula, but honestly I've always just poured over all sorts of art and craft books.  The style I've developed as an artist is the result of studying so many different things over the last few years.  My library now contains books on everything from flower identification and typography and from drawing comic books to drawing fairies.

Of course, as I always tell my Inspired Doodles students, the only way to become better at any thing is to practice.  If you want to be an artist, you've got to make time for your art every day, even if it's just a few scribbles in a sketchbook. 

Your charming designs are available in wide range of products including stickers, book plates, note cards and postcards. I’d love to hear more about your process for creating and launching new products.

Usually a product idea will start out as a scribbled note in my idea book.  I used to just try to crank out new products as fast as possible, but I've found that I get better results when I take the time to really think things through. 

My first step is always trying to figure out how I can product whatever product I have in mind.  I have a big fancy Epson printer, so I print some products here in my studio, but in other cases I outsource some of my printing.  When thinking up a new product, deciding whether to produce it in my studio or outsource it really comes down to two factors:  time and money.  Do I have enough time to make this product and still be able to sell it at a reasonable price?  Would producing it on my own be more or less cost effective than outsourcing some parts of the process? 

And of course, I also consider when outsourcing some pieces of my product whether the quality will meet my standards. 

Once I've figured out the how to my product creation puzzle, I can get down to actually designing the product.  And from there it's just a matter of sourcing my materials and either starting the printing process here in my studio or sending files off to the printer. 

Lastly, once everything is ready, I plan out my packaging design and that's it!

Which aspect of running a creative business is the most enjoyable to you? And which has challenged you the most?

I love the part where I actually get to sit down and draw things, of course!  I usually spend my morning taking care of business stuff—answering emails, shipping orders, accounting, etc—so I can spend the rest of my day focusing on freelance work or creating new illustrations for my shop. 

Probably the most challenging thing for me has always been self-promotion.  I'm kinda shy when it comes to talking about myself so when I first started out, I was a bit shy about talking about my business too.  Now, of course, self-promotion and social networking is a big part of how I run my business and stay connected with my customers.  It was a struggle at first to overcome my natural shyness, but in the end I'm so happy to have finally learned to openly share my business. 

In addition to your lovely designs, you also offer creative and business related crash courses. Can you share a bit about why you developed these workshops and what they offer other entrepreneurs?

I've been teaching online workshop for a couple of years now.  I started out with Flourish which was an ecourse that focused on creating and running an indie biz.  And the most recently in 2011 I started offering Inspired Doodles, which focuses a bit on the method I used to teach myself to draw and a bit on tutorials of how I create my work in Photoshop, etc. 

In both of these past workshops, I'd frequently gotten emails from people who really wanted to take part but who couldn't dedicate 4 or 5 weeks to a course because of other obligations.  You know how it is, we're all so busy these days that sometimes it is difficult to make time for the things we really want to do. 

So Crash Courses were born out of my desire to share my teaching with students would didn't have a lot of time but were still interested in exploring business and creative topics.  The Crash Courses are short one week workshops that are delivered daily via email and depending on my schedule, I usually offer a new Crash Course every other month, each one on a new topic.


Thank you Stephanie for sharing your talent and story with us! Look forward to seeing what you create in the new year. 


you can find Stephanie here: 
website
twitter
facebook




{{do you know a shop that shines? would you like to be considered for a feature? Please send submissions to allisa.jacobs [at] gmail [dot] com }}

Shops That Shine - Suite One Studios

{ Hello! I am thrilled to take a break from all the hustle & bustle to share a truly lovely shop today.  Lindsay from Suite One Studios is as authentic as it gets...not to mention she's chock full of talent! }

I love hearing where makers draw their inspiration from, can you share with us where you find yours?

I find inspiration just about anywhere. I keep myself open to exploring inspiration anywhere my eyes or hands may linger. I want my pottery to be enjoyed both visually and tactilely and because of this I am always considering pottery as I enjoy my world. Nature presents one of the greatest sources for inspiration, perhaps in part because of the medium itself- clay. I love simple, understated elegance and find myself drawn to clean modern lines and organic imperfections. My color palette and forms reflect a delicate balance between the colorful commercial world and the softer side of the natural world.

Your shop is beyond lovely....and looks effortless! We know it can be difficult behind the scenes though. Describe the most difficult aspect to running a successful creative small business for you, and how you work to overcome it.
It is both terrifying and exhilarating to accept that my success is my own. I am in control of my brand, my designs and my reputation; everything comes down to choices I make and their resulting consequences. I always knew I wanted to be an artist but I never considered that I would find myself running a business. In my early dreams there was a gap between creating art and getting paid for it. I knew I wanted to be paid for my art, but the “how” was, and still is a challenge for me to understand and overcome. Running my own business means being my own boss, and I love nearly every aspect of this, but it is also the source for my greatest struggles as a business owner and artist. I have learned the best way for me to overcome these obstacles is to view them as opportunities for growth.

What efforts do you take to make your shop shine?

I spend a great deal of time working on my product photos, and with running an online shop this is a necessity. Pottery is part visual pleasure, part tactile comfort. Selling pots online automatically cancels out the tactile component of what makes a good pot a good pot. I rely on my product photos to convey texture, feeling, weight and function. I have learned the importance of taking clear photos, using natural light and close-ups to allow the consumer to visually experience all the things the hands normally decide when choosing a piece of pottery. I also spend a great deal of time making each piece from hand without molds and mixing my own glazes from minerals, oxides and stains. These extra little details are perhaps my favorite parts of making my work, and are precisely what makes my shop shine.

How do you see your business growing in the future?

I see my business gaining momentum in the future and evolving naturally to fit comfortably in my life. I am excited to be able to say that in the last year my business has become my full-time job! I feel really positive about the future and see limitless possibilities. I am not certain yet the way my business will grow, but I am certain that it will remain a part of my life. I would like to find my way into a studio space outside of my house. I am currently running some aspect of my business from nearly every room in my house. I am looking forward to having a dedicated work space where I can stretch out a little bit- without worrying about knocking over a piece of porcelain!

Tell us what’s in store for your shop; any new products, shop changes, or celebrations?

I have a love for sitting at a beautifully presented table. I have a love for good food.  And, I have an even bigger love for slowing down and spending time with those important people in my life. I am experiencing a subtle shift in my work to reflect these loves. I am working on developing a stronger dinnerware line and am really looking forward to revealing these new products which will add elegance and celebration to even the simplest meal!

November marks my two year Etsy Anniversary and I am sure I will have a fabulous sale of some sort to celebrate this milestone! I have so enjoyed the last two years and still find myself standing in awe of all I have accomplished with the support of my amazing customers, friends and family.

You’ve clearly established a successful shop, can you offer one piece of golden advice for those just starting out?

Don’t underestimate yourself. If you have an idea or dream in mind stay committed and create a path for yourself, as unconventional as it may be. My business grew at a time in my life when almost all odds were against me. I was working two jobs and going to school, and rarely had a minute to spare. I would spend my days at work thinking about the pottery I wanted to be making, and if I managed to extract twenty minutes from the entire week I would sit at my wheel and all of those pottery ideas would pour out of me in that short little session. I now fire my kiln about three times a week, but in the beginning it easily took me six months before I had enough pottery for a single firing. There were times when I became discouraged but I continued to stay focused and daydream about one day making a living from my pottery. I slowly began listing pictures of my work online and very, very slowly began selling my work. This was not an instant career shift for me. I think it is important to be realistic with ourselves, but to still keep that dreamer inside of us alive. If you have a dream just start. Even if the start feels like the teensiest tiniest little baby step, it is a start, and beginning a dream is never a regret.

Thank you Lindsay for sharing your process and dreams!

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( know a shop that shines? does your shop stand out? submit your link to me at 


allisa{dot} jacobs {at} gmail {dot} com for consideration to be included in the new 


year)