MysticSpiral Studio

What do you create?
I'm primarily a ceramic bead artist. My work varies from sculptural pendants to miniature vessels. I've recently re-discovered a love of metalwork after a 10 year hiatus and am combining that with my own handmade beads to make one of a kind scarf/shawl pins.



How did you come up with your company name?
The name sort of evolved. I wasn't really planning on starting a business. I was actually trying to name my studio. MysticSpiral developed as a result of my spiritual and creative quest.

I have a background in art history. My decision to make beads and vessels was inspired by the fact that the some of the oldest human artifacts that we have are beads and amulets. I'm also very interested in the commonalities of diverse ancient cultures. One of those commonalities is the classical 7-circuit labyrinth. In addition to appearing on bronze age coins in the Mediterranean, the labyrinth appears in Hopi sand paintings where it is called Tapu'at. The labyrinth is a walking meditation, it is a physical path into yourself and back out again. Creativity is a spiritual outlet for me. Working in clay, forming earth into vessels and beads, is a form of meditation.

When and why did you decide to start your business?
My business kinda started itself. After college, I worked temp jobs and part time for a while making art in my "spare time." My husband and I decided that with a few lifestyle adjustments I could make art full time. If you keep making things, eventually you have to start selling them or you bury yourself alive. I put it off as long as I could by working smaller and smaller, but in the end it was either start selling or stop making.

Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
My inspiration comes, primarily, from art history and from archeology. In particular, the Bronze Age inspires me. I walk through museums or pull out my art history textbooks from college and I see things that I want to try. Sometimes I think, "I could improve upon that design." But more often, I'm just in love with the artifact and want to make something similar. I sometimes joke that I set out to re-create the history of art in clay and got stuck in the Bronze Age.



What is your main goal for this year?
I want to focus more on writing, on trying to get some articles published, this year. With a toddler at home, I need to stick close to home. I tried my hand at a couple of bead shows last year with an eye toward expanding the business in that direction. I came out of the bead shows more certain than ever that I needed to expand my wholesale business by refining my catalogue and sending out line sheets to potential wholesale customers. I also decided that I needed to branch into the retail market with finished jewelry, which I'm doing with the scarf/shawl pins.

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
I guess my best advice would be, "Take care of your tools." It's worth investing in the right tools for the job and getting the best tools that you can afford, replacement costs add up and you can't afford to be without the tools of your trade when you have orders piling up and a deadline looming.

And just out of curiosity, what's your favorite tool of your trade?
I'd have to say that my favorite tools are my thumbs. All of my fingers, actually, but I suffered from carpal tunnel and ancillary nerve damage and nearly lost the use of both thumbs. Six surgical procedures on my hands and wrists spread out over eight months really went a long way to increase my appreciation for opposable thumbs.

Site:
MysticSpiral Studio

Tobi Wood Designs

What do you create?
I make boxed sets of note cards, journals, and magnets. Eventually, I’d like to get into textiles.



How did you come up with your company name?
Well, its nothing really glamourous, its just my name. I had some other ideas, but when it came down to it, I wanted something that wasn’t specific to what I did, so that if I ever wanted to branch out into other avenues I could.

When and why did you decide to start your business?
I have been a designer for years. I have always made cards for friends and family and on more than one occasion toyed with the idea of having my own business. The line I was making previous to this one was way too labor intensive, making it difficult to keep up with orders. People loved them but kept telling me I really should sell some of my graphic work. I had just had a baby and resigned from my job to be a stay at home mom. I had numerous designs that I had on file, so I brought out my best ones and thought, lets give it a shot. Lets print them. So we did. I thought about how I was going to sell them after the fact.

Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
I would say nature is my biggest inspiration. It's pretty obvious in my designs. It's funny, I may see something in my garden and pick it. It's not always flowers though. Sometimes it's a weed, or a blade of grass, or a dried up plant. There are so many things outside that have so many beautiful little details. and then when I sketch it, and put it on my computer, it's so different, and yet the same. I love being able to go back and see where it came from.

What is your main goal for this year?
To get more wholesale accounts!

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
Make something that you love doing. because, you are going to spend a lot of time creating. And it should be something that you believe in and enjoy doing. And take baby steps. There are so many things to learn. So pick one thing and work on that, and then move to the next thing on the list.

And just out of curiosity, what’s your favorite tool of your trade?
I have to say my computer. Without it, my designs wouldn't exist.

Site:
Tobi Wood Designs

Batteries Not Required

What do you create?
I make interactive play quilts for children. The quilts come in two sizes and are based on the classic game, Memory. They feature kid-friendly fabric pictures hidden under flaps of fabric. Kids have to lift the flaps and match the pictures underneath.

When and why did you decide to start your business?
I started making interactive play quilts when a friend of mine had daughter turning one year old. I wanted an inventive, handmade gift for her. Another friend and I developed the idea together- she came up with the concept and I came up with the design.

Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
From little ones I know, from suggestions from other people and mostly from the fabric that I buy.

What is your main goal for this year?
To be bigger. To conquer the toy market and become the #1 best selling toy. Ha ha- in real life my goal is to get Batteries quilts into a few local stores, to do at least 4 craft shows and sell at least 70 quilts this year.

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
Hmmmm, definitely to only do it if it's something you want to do and something you love doing. Also, I think what you put into it is what you get. I've gotten tons of free press lately which has resulted in sales, but that's only because I've put tons and tons of time into networking. There are times when I really need to do stuff- like log expenses into a spreadsheet or re-do or add to a part of my site and it doesn't get done until I realize, "Oh, there is no one else to do this, I have to". Then, it gets done.

And just out of curiosity, what’s your favorite tool of your trade?
Let's see- I thought that was easy- my sewing machine. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't be making quilts. However, there is also my rotary cutter to factor in, and my awesomely cool grid rulers. Oh, my iron and oh...oh...I know...one of my favorites right now is my basting spray. I guess though, my sewing machine tops everything.

Site:
Batteries Not Required