"I have been
crafting and sewing since I was small. My Grandmother and Mother
would quilt and I was exposed to this type of environment from
an early age. My Grandmother was also the soapmaker and I was
the question asker. She was always happy that I took interest.
Fast forward to the
90's and I started creating soaps and handmade goods for friends
and their friends. Somewhere along the way I was ask if I would
be interesting in making a batch of soap for wedding or shower
gifts. Along the way it turned into some extra income. It evolved
into craft shows and in early 2000 I sold most of my items on
eBay. Our website went online in 2005 and it's came a long way
in the past couple of years."
Why did you choose
your business name?
"Our business
name is named for the farm that has been in my husbands family
since the 1920's. It faces the mountains in a quiet tranquil setting.
See the view on our about me page of the website."
How many hours a day do you
devote to crafting?
"Most days I average 6
-8 hours. I also have family members that are involved in the
creation of our items. We attempt to get together at least once
every week and collaborate on new projects. Sometimes we invite
friends that say they have no talent and they realize that it
was just untapped."
Which CD(s) do you
listen to while crafting?
"I have moods
that range all the way from classical to current country music.
I was just the other day listening to the soundtrack from the
movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith. That soundtrack by the way is neither
of the two previously mentioned. I also work out and have a weight
room in our basement. I don't work out to the same music that
I listen to on the radio. I don't think I can craft to the music
I work out with. I guess to make it short it's all about mood!"
What avenues do you
use to market your products ( Internet, shops, craft shows, etc.
)?
"We have several
craft shows that we do every year. We don't have time for a full
time shop and that would probably mean less time creating and
more time in a shop. We advertise several times a year in Country
Sampler magazine and recently in Create and Decorate magazines.
We advertise with several online shopping sites. We have items
in local shops and get calls on a regular basis for creating one
of kind items for locals as well as online."
What gets you motivated?
"My husband
thinks I'm obsessed and prefers that I am creating something rather
than moving the furniture around. I guess he figures if I'm busy
enough he won't have to adapt to another renovation! I love to
look at decorating magazines for inspiration. I love to take something
that someone has thrown out and make it into something unique
and usable. Never enough hours in the day day for all the things
I want to create or
accomplish!"
Where does your creativity come
from?
"I love working with wood,
metal (I weld), I like to paint(Folk Art), ... I think the creativity
may be an inherited trait. My Father loved to work with wood and
still shows up at the shop from time to time. My Mother is a fabulous
seamstress and quilter, always crafting. My Sister the floral
designer also crafts, sews, ... My daughter said she didn't get
the craft gene :) When she lived at home she enjoyed helping me
build new additions to the house. That's another story!"
Is there a special design or
product that you have created that is your absolute favorite?
"I can't pick a favorite,
like music I would say it depends on mood. Some things are always
a constant, if it is red, rusty or has a rooster painted on it,
I love it!"
Which items are your
best sellers?
"Our handmade
soaps for sure and gameboards are a big seller."
What do you enjoy
most about what you do?
"Crafting or
creating items for me is almost like finding inner peace. I could
be so stressed out and start creating something and I find it
very relaxing. I think it allows you to channel that negative
energy somewhere else."
Do you have any advice
that you would like to share?
"Get organized,
don't procrastinate, and don't promise more than you can deliver!"
Join our Mailing List!
Just enter your email address below:
