If'n Books

Website:
If'n Books

What do you create?
I create a cavalcade of excitement!! Actually, I make blank journals and photo albums that I primarily wholesale to stores. I pride myself on their uniqueness since I go to great lengths to use materials and illustrations not seen anywhere else. They may not be the safest gift to give your second cousin, but I find they're the perfect fit for just the right person. I recently made my niche market even nichier with my new Cancerpants Journal that comes with the Cancerpants Superfuntime Kit. I'm most excited about that right now.

How did you come up with your company name?
I keep thinking I'll come up with a better story, but really I was reading Faulkner's As I Lay Dying. The southern vernacular of saying something like "If'n you want to go down to the barn..." caught my fancy. I liked the openness and possibility inherent in the word. I have since learned from a customer that there was a song called "If'n" on I Dream of Jeannie. But most people think it's from the Firehose record. So far I'm happy with all associations. Word to the wise though, when choosing your business name, decide how important it is to you to be able to clearly state it over the phone. Sheesh! And with an apostrophe? You gotta be kidding me!

When and why did you decide to start your business?
Well the books don't bind themselves now do they? I had been a program director for a non-profit and a marketing director for a gift gallery but making books was always my thing | bag | raison d'etre. There was quite a hullaballoo when 1999 was turning into the year 2000, and since it occurred with no great catastrophe, I figured then was as good a time as any to create my own hullaballoo. I haven't looked back since - actually I have, but pointing and laughing.

Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
I try to bring in new products twice a year. I first go to the library and look at design books to get inspired, but they usually end up frustrating me. It's kind of like how I cook. I'll get out a couple cookbooks, flip through them, put them back on the shelf, and end up making something totally different. But the cookbooks were there to get me hungry. Sometimes I work directly with fancypants illustrators and so I get to pawn off some of the work on them for a change. But usually the inspiration ends up being fairly organic, percolating over a few weeks, thinking while I'm working or sitting in bed in the morning.



What is your main goal for this year?
1. Go away to a nice place.
2. Make more kooky things for the fun of it.
3. Vote somebody in who's going to give me some freakin' affordable health insurance.

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
Try winning Powerball first. If that doesn't work, then being a little bit crazy with an alarmingly robust work ethic will get you far. Or at least people will talk about you and that's half the battle right there!

Which of the tools you use is your favorite?
This is an exciting question for me since more often I hear talk about amplifiers or guitars which I don't even play. And I'm jealous of all you jewelers out there! Bookbinder talk is a rarity for me! Let's see, I can dork it up with my new teflon 'bone' folder. Or my 31" board shear. Or the rad floor model paper drill/corner rounder that I found sitting in the hallway of my building. But really it always just comes back to my hands which are the most reliable.

*****

Little Extras

Where are you located?
In a ye olde mill building in The Ocean State.

What's your favorite quote?
"All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece but not too much." G. Harrison

Can you recommend a good book or great music?
For work: "Non-Adhesive Binding Vol. I" - Keith Smith; "Stay Close" - Death Vessel
For fun: "Catcher in the Rye" - JD Salinger; "Hidden City of Taurmond" - Wizardzz

Your favorite indie designer/artist?
The Small Object (I'm almost certain that lady doesn't sleep)

Sparkle and Shine Design

Website:
Sparkle and Shine Design

What do you create?
For the longest time, I was strictly a jewelry designer. I love me some beads & baubles! But for the past year, I’ve been dabbling in hand knit & crocheted items, and have been incorporating beads into my designs.

How did you come up with your company name?
My old company was called Myrrh Embraces, but I felt it no longer reflected my new approach to more fun, youthful designs. So, I decided to change it. Sparkle & Shine Design seemed a relative no-brainer since I work with glimmering, shimmering beads and sparkly yarns all day long! Plus, I didn’t want to pigeon-hole myself by having “Jewelry” in my business name since I would one day love to create a stationery line, bath & body products and tons of other crafty things. Let it never be said that I don’t have lofty ideas!

When and why did you decide to start your business?
The first incarnation started back in 1997 with a more goth-inspired style to my designs. It’s true, I did start the business simply by graduating from the occasional Christmas gift, but another thing many people probably don’t know is I always intended on being a writer – novels, short stories, poetry – and while I pursued that dream, I needed to make some cash. Funny thing is, the designer in me took over, and I had to put my writing on the backburner for the time being.

Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
I am a fashion magazine addict! Plus, I am always scribbling down ideas from things I see on shows, in movies and while people-watching.

What is your main goal for this year?
To launch my much-delayed line of beaded crochet scarves; to hopefully get to some other amazing projects I haven’t been able to. Mostly, it is to expand my product lines, and hopefully get into some shops and those magazines I love.

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
Get a good calendar program! I have so many ideas, tasks and deadlines that I would be nowhere without my daily reminders popping up on my computer screen.

Which of the tools you use is your favorite?
My cup full of crochet hooks! I know, if I love them so much, you’d think I would have some fancy-pants crochet hook holder. But I picked up a bunch of glass tealight candle holders that show them off really well.

*****

Little Extras

Where are you located?
North York, Ontario, Canada – about a 5 to 10 minute drive from downtown Toronto.

What's your favorite quote?
“Why are women... so much more interesting to men than men are to women?”
- Virginia Woolf

Haha! I’m just kidding!
I love Virginia Woolf’s writing, and I could probably list a million quotes by her. One of my favorites is, “It is in our idleness, in our dreams, that the submerged truth sometimes comes to the top.” Whether in terms of writing, problems with a current design, or just questions I can’t seem to find the answer to during the day. There are so many mornings where I wake up and the answer to any of these dilemmas is suddenly there – the problem solved.

What's your favorite food?
Sushi

What's your favorite drink?
My new summer favorite is called Pomtini – it’s a vodka & pomegranate cooler I just discovered at the local liquor store.

Donda Designs

Website:
Donda Designs

What do you create?
We make handmade tie bags. Bags made entirely from men's neckties. They are all one of a kind and very unique. We make several styles including a backpack, messenger bag, tote, and a shoulder strap bag.

How did you come up with your company name?
Well, Donda Designs is a two women operation, just my sister and I. We are identical twins and when we were toddlers, my mother told us we used to call each other Donda. I thought it only appropriate to name our new founded business Donda Designs.

When and why did you decide to start your business?
Well we both went to college and worked traditional jobs, I became a "stay at home mom" (I hate that term by the way) after my children were born and was desperate for something more. I wanted to pursue my creative side. I discovered this website where a high school student was designing and selling clothes on her own site and I thought if she can do it I can. So I got my sister on board, since the bags were her original design, and we went from there. The site was born a little over a year ago but I wouldn't recognize it from what we have today. We knew nothing about website design or photography so everything is a work in progress. We just keep updating it to make it better and more professional looking. I do have to give credit to my husband who is the website designer and our tech support for the website.

Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
The original design came from my sister's husband. She and I have been using the bags for years. The other styles just came naturally because it is pretty much the same technique for making each bag. We don't like waste so we try to use up every bit of the tie, this inspired us to come up with a few new ideas that we are currently working on. We hope to be adding a new tote, quilts, and silk roses to the mix.



What is your main goal for this year?
To sell some bags of course,.We haven't really advertised and that is what we are working on now. It is difficult for people to see your product with just a website. We are thinking big and trying inventive ways to get our name and bags out there so people can see them.

What advise would you give to someone starting a creative business?
Well, I don't know if we are really the best people to give that kind of advise. Money really isn't the issue with us. If we sell bags and make money well that would be great, but for us it's just fun and a great way to spend time together.

Which of the tools you use is your favorite?
We just treated ourselves to matching baby blue sewing machines. We both had really old sewing machines that we taught ourselves to sew on and thought it was time to upgrade.

*****

Little Extras

Where are you located?
At the moment we live in different states. We grew up in Michigan and that is where my sister is located but I move around alot. I currently live in Florida.

Can you recommend a good book or great music?
I think the best book I have ever read is The Fountainhead, but anything by Ayn Rand is really good.

Your favorite indie designer/artist?
As far as my favorite indie designer, I would have to say I like the Carrotbox. She makes rings out of anything but metal. I'm sorry I don't know her name but her rings are really cool and really affordable. She also has a great website.

Manic Trout

What do you create?
I am an endless producer of many, many arts but I try to focus on Paintings and Jewelry. My paintings tend to be mostly oils and abstract expressionistic and my handmade jewelry is colorful, funky, and pretty. I also do a lot of web design, digital imaging and hand embroidery, but I tend to forget to advertise those. My BFA is actually in Computer Graphics with a minor in painting, so I tend to go back and forth from working with my hands to the computer, its a nice balance.

How did you come up with your company name?
Well, I am a very energetic person and work all of the time, some would call it manic behavior so I thought I would embrace that trait of mine and use it right there in my name. As for the trout, I love the ocean and large bodies of water, for a long time that was all I painted and in fact my abstracts still remind many people of water, so I naturally was gravitating towards the aquatic with my name. I was playing around with names and decided that Manic Whale was just not the image I wanted to project, and the trout does have great coloring. Once I heard the name, it stuck, I loved it instantly and here I am.

When and why did you decide to start your business?
I started my business in 2002 after I finally graduated from art school, I was at Syracuse for 7 years, in the Architecture School, then the Art School and even there I had a few majors...you get the idea. When I graduated I realized I never would be able to survive not creating all day long, so Manic Trout was unofficially born in the fall of 2002. In Jan. of 2003 I became legal and have been growing ever since. I now create much less then I realized I would as running the business part takes so much time, but I still love every minute of it!



Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
The water is my number one go to for inspiration, then fashion, photography, nature... specifically colors found in nature. I make books of images hat I find and save, I have images covering bulletin boards in my office and studio and I tend to hoard any thing I find remotely beautiful. Let's just say I have a lot of stuff, and I justify most if it because it inspires me.

What is your main goal for this year?
A massive attack on the gallery scene for my paintings and a marketing binge on line for my jewelry. They are both full steam ahead and doing well so far, so I am really pleased with myself at the half way mark.

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
Remember that you are starting a business so be prepared for that aspect of it, its not all creating. Also, have a back up to make extra money if you have a low month but still need supplies for shows and bills to pay. I bartend at a friends restaurant to make sure I avoid starving as an artist and to get myself out of my studio, as I tend to be a hermit.

Which of the tools you use is your favorite?
My beautiful custom Mac duel processor G5 with all the bells and whistles, including a flat screen monitor. I spend a lot of time on my computer, even for the jewelry and paintings...it makes my life so much easier.

Website:
Manic Trout

*****

Little Extras

Where are you located?
Millbrook, NY

What's your favorite quote?
"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity" -Albert Einstein

What's your favorite food?
Cheese, Apples & Natural Chunky Peanut Butter...separately, all together or any combination.

What's your favorite drink?
Coffee...gallons of black coffee.

Valhalla Soap Company

What do you create?
I create luxury bath and body products to nurture and pamper your skin and senses. We use luxury ingredients like Avocado, Hemp, Bubassu, and Evening Primrose Oils. As well as decedent Shea, Cocoa, Kokum and Mango Butters just to name a few. When at all possible we try to use Paraben free preservatives.

How did you come up with your company name?
Well, it was a combination a couple of things really. The property that we lived on was called Valhalla. It was named by the folks that owned it prior to us. However, being of some Irish/Celtic decent way back in both of our genealogies, my husband and I decided to keep the name on the estate. It resonated with us. When we re-opened the business in 2002 we changed the name to Valhalla Soap Company. It just fit. We had so many of our previous customers comment that this product or that product was "like heaven", or "smells like heaven". So, since Valhalla means Viking heaven it seemed kind of funny, so we went with it.

When and why did you decide to start your business?
It was starting with a desire to get back to the basics of simpler more natural way of living. And because we had a small herd of goats at the time producing more milk than we knew what to do with. The idea of making soap had always fascinated me. After my first batch, I was hooked, and it became an obsession from there. I love the chemistry of it. Designing a new recipe. If only my high school chemistry teacher could see me now. I hated it back then, lol.




Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
Mostly from my surroundings, colors, tastes, smells, friends. Or even a commercial, or show on TV, or a song. Today I heard an old song; "Put the Lime in the Coconut" by Harry Nilsson, and it inspired me to make a new soap. Now I have a lovely batch of green colored soap scented with lime and coconut with grated coconut on top. See, ANYTHING can inspire me.

What is your main goal for this year?
Market, Market, Market!!! Getting the product out to the public. Marketing it.

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
Stay focused. Decide what it is EXACTLY that you want to do, and HOW you want to do it. Focus on a few products to start, a target audience/market and stick with that. It is very easy to wander around in a dazed and confused state trying to figure out where to go and what to do. There are lots of tools and information out there. You just have to dig. go to your local SCORE office. They are a wealth of information and the counselors will help you stay on task.

Which of the tools you use is your favorite?
Humm? I think I'd have to say, my Braun Stick Blender, and my Kitchen Aide.

Website:
Valhalla Soap Company

*****

Little Extras

Where are you located?
Newport, Washington

What's your favorite quote?
"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he had imagined, he will meet a success unexpected in common hours." - Henry David Thoreau

What's your favorite food?
Tiramisu , YUM!!

What's your favorite drink?
Iced Tea (non-alcoholic), Mango Margarita (alcoholic)

Tilley Jewels

What do you create?
The simple answer would be "jewelry". I create one-of-a-kind and limited edition jewelry and accessories with beads, wire and just about anything else that I think would be interesting to throw in the mix. I specialize in wedding and formal pieces, including tiaras, beaded veils and bouquets, but nothing is really off-limits.

How did you come up with your company name?
The official business name for legal purposes is Tilley's Custom Jewelry and Accessories, but that's quite a mouthful and an awful lot to type in a web address. I started using the nickname Tilleyjewels for selling online. Tilley is my married last name—I told my husband that by using it for the business it signified that I was sticking with him for the long haul because it would be a pain in the rear to have to change names somewhere down the road. I like that Tilley has an old-fashioned ring to it. A lot of people think it's my first name.

The tagline "fairytale jewels for the everyday princess" was added earlier this year. My oldest daughter is fairy-obsessed and inspired the new company image. She created the "Jewelfairy" logo I'm using now.

When and why did you decide to start your business?
I've been doing arts and crafts for as long as I can remember. My mom is a basketweaver and I spent many weekends traveling to craft shows with her while I was growing up. Whatever my current art obsession was at the time there was always a little space in her booth where I could display my own work. I did my first craft show by myself about eight years ago and made a whopping $15 that day. Things have come a long way since then! The official move from hobby to business was in March 2002. I've been selling through art and craft shows and in area stores. I moved into online selling by opening a store on Etsy.com earlier this year.

Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
I'm mostly inspired by the materials themselves. I let the beads tell me what they want to be a part of and they just fall into place. I try not to pay too much attention to fads and trends. I just make what I feel and let my customers help guide me in the colors and styles they like.



What is your main goal for this year?
I want to expand my wholesale business this year. I lost two great stores earlier this year when they both lost their building leases, so that has really pushed me to look for other venues. Selling online is a completely new venture for me, and I'm looking into exactly how big a role I want that to take.

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
Be willing to adapt! I've seen a lot of people who have one great idea, but once that has played out then they have no where to go with their business. There is one show that I do where I've had the same corner booth for the last several years, but every year I have a new neighbor. The people who have had that booth always seem to have one really nice product, but once everyone has bought that item and the market is saturated then they have no more audience. You either have to keep creating new products or find ways to change your basic ideas so customers have to keep coming back for more.

Which of the tools you use is your favorite?
A credit card with no limit? (That someone else is footing the bill for!) Seriously, though, it would probably be my dremel. I've had it for several years now and I'm just now really conquering the fear of losing a finger and starting to discover all of the neat things I can do with it.

Website:
Tilley's Jewels

*****

Little Extras

Where are you located?
Mt. Vernon, Illinois—in the southern end of the state.

What's your favorite quote?
"Once I thought I wanted to rule the world but I got distracted by something sparkly…"

What's your favorite food?
Pizza with EVERYTHING on it—I even welcome the occasional anchovy.

What's your favorite drink?
I think I'm addicted to Mountain Dew. It's what keeps me going during all my late nights of working.

Gohgirl

What do you create?
I draw illustrations that are hand screened onto tee-shirts. They are also printed on greeting cards.

How did you come up with your company name?
I was thinking very hard for a clever, memorable name. I went through so many names. Then I realized I was making things too difficult. My last name is Goh (“h” is silent) and I’m a girl… so gohgirl was born!

When and why did you decide to start your business?
I’ve always had a creative spirit and loved to draw and construct/deconstruct clothing. Unfortunately, I didn’t embrace my passion and didn’t think I could have a career in something creative. I went down several different career paths, never really feeling fulfilled or happy. When I finally realized I was happy being creative, I thought more seriously about starting a business. At the time, I had started doodling these illustrations and my friends and family really liked them. Everyone around me was so supportive and encouraging me to do something with the drawings so I decided to print the illustrations on tee shirts. gohgirl officially launched in the summer of 2005.

Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
From people I know, imaginary friends and objects! I constantly see things around me and so I incorporate simple, everyday shapes into my illustrations.




What is your main goal for this year?
I want to focus on getting my name out in the world. I have a website but what good is it if no one knows who I am. So I want to increase traffic to my website, continue to build relationships with retail stores, do more independent artist events/fairs, and learn more about how to market my business.

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
I think the hardest pill I’ve had to swallow is not to be afraid of rejection. In the beginning, I was worried about what people would think or say about my products. Finally, I realized I had to get over the fear. There will be plenty of people who will love your things but there will be those who just don’t. It’s ok. Be confident in yourself and your products.

Which of the tools you use is your favorite?
My computer. It’s a love hate relationship. It brings so much joy when I create new designs but I end up spending way too much time on it. Then there are those times when the computer just doesn’t want to cooperate or it crashes without any notice!

Website:
Gohgirl

*****

Little Extras

What's your favorite food?
Has to be Japanese food. Hamachi sashimi or a spicy tuna roll.

What's your favorite drink?
Hmm… either a Guinness or a lychee martini

Crafty Synergy improvements!

Thanks to everyone that sent me messages and posted comments. I really appreciate them all! I've decided that it would definitely make the blog more enjoyable to post more than one interview a week, so be on the lookout for more Crafty Synergy goodness.

For everyone's convenience I've rearranged a few things on the right hand column (yeah, for categories!). If you find any errors please let me know. I was up late doing this and I wouldn't doubt that I missed something.

Thank you to all the artists that have participated and to everyone that visits!

A question for you

I've been seriously debating whether I should add more interviews throughout the week or post a couple (or more) on Wednesdays. When I started this blog my initial thought was to give the featured business as much time in the spotlight as possible. Now I feel that I should be posting more frequently because I keep getting these very interesting interviews that I just want to post quickly. Any thoughts? Anything new you'd like to see? Post here in the comments section or email me at craftysynergy@alittlehut.com. I would LOVE to hear from everyone! :)

Today I posted two interviews below. I hope that you all enjoy the extra dose of Crafty Synergy today!

Have a great day everyone! :)
Patricia

Raw Beauty

What do you create?
We create naturally inspired spa products & soy candles. The majority of our bath & beauty products are made with 90-99% natural ingredients. We do use preservatives to keep these hand made products free from harmful bacteria & mold. Our soy candles are made with real soy wax and natural cotton wicks. There is no zinc or lead in our wicks, so they safe & healthy to burn.

How did you come up with your company name?
Our business is based on creating fabulous products that are made with natural ingredients. I wanted a name that shouted “I am Natural”. The word “Natural” to me means, unaltered, untouched and innocent. My husband mentioned the word “raw”, so we looked it up in the dictionary. The dictionary defines “raw” as: “Not processed purified or refined”. Raw was the perfect word to define our products, ingredients and company.

When and why did you decide to start your business?
I had gone to culinary school because I fell in love with food and being creative with dishes. I think that culinary school really helped jump start my interest in the beauty industry. Making beauty products is very similar to cooking or baking.

My journey began by making lotion from scratch in 2003. My friends and family would come over to my house and “ooh and aah” over the aroma in the air. My mom works in a hair salon, so she would take the lotion to work and sell them. After creating several different products and having my mom sell them to her clients, I realized that I had some great products and people wanted them. Raw Beauty was fully launched for business in August 2005.



Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
I have been a girly girl all my life, so, I have always loved spa products & treatments. I was also the oldest growing up, so my brother & sister had to “put up with” my creative side. I would make beauty products from food and make them go to my spa (which just so happened to be my bedroom).

I have learned to really listen to my customers and friends and their needs, which really helps me give them what they desire. I have always had a passion for creativity and beauty products, that this business really fits me perfectly. You definitely have to do your research and keep up with trends as well…but it’s also fun trying to set your own trends too.

What is your main goal for this year?
I would definitely say that one of our main goals is to give back to the community. I have always been fascinated with fundraisers and charity events. Raw Beauty has opened up doors to some wonderful sponsorship for charity organizations. I am a strong believer that if the business is doing well… the business should give back to the community. Since June 2005, we have been able to give over $2500 in charitable donations.

In December 2005, we were sponsors for the Project Angel Food Organization. We were able to donate over $1400 worth of Raw Beauty products that were sold to help feed families that are living with HIV/AIDS. We were so proud to be apart of that wonderful fundraising event and we will be donating again this year as well.

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
Take your time and do your research. Don’t rush it. I have learned that being too excited to get started can really hurt you. You have to make sure that you cover every aspect before going live. That ensures that you are really ready for whatever comes your way, good or bad. It took me over a year of researching about starting & running a business, perfecting my products and price points as well as packaging. There is so much involved in getting a business off its feet, but if you have the confidence and knowledge, everything falls into place.

And just out of curiosity, what’s your favorite tool of your trade?
Our Kitchen Aid mixer. All of our lotions, butters and crème’s are made with this sweet mixer. She does a really good job and we love her.

Website:
Raw Beauty

Silver Faerie Designs

What do you create?
I create sterling silver and precious metal beaded jewlery.

How did you come up with your company name?
Honestly it was an interesting process. I wanted something to do with the materials I use as well as a future tie-in. I'm hoping to sell my pieces at Reniassance Festivals eventually, thus the fantasy add in- Faerie.

When and why did you decide to start your business?
I started the business "officially" in January of 2006. But I've been beading for over four years now.



Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
I get inspired by so many things, I used to joke that the wind blowinga certain way would inspire me! Mostly it's colors or the stones themselves that inspire me.

What is your main goal for this year?
I want to get a lot of advertising done, that and I would really like to get a set work schedule made up. Who knows if the second goal will ever come to be though. Crazy artists and their schedules!

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
Never give up. Keep chugging along and keep reminding yourself that this is what you want to be doing.

And just out of curiosity, what's your favorite tool of your trade?
My favorite tool? Well, I have two- crimps and my oh so lovely round nose pliers. I think I would die without them!

Website:
Silver Faerie Designs

Country Meadow Soaps

What do you create?
We offer various skin care and spa products. Products include but not limited to soap, lotion, whipped body creams, sugar scrubs, naturally scented room mist, all natural facial toners, gift boxes/bags/baskets.

How did you come up with your company name?
Even though I live in the city I am country at heart (picture rolling fields, grazing cows and yellow buttercups!). I wanted a company name that reflected that image and Country Meadow immediately came to mind. Unfortunately for us the the url countrymeadow.com was already taken and since we started out with soap (way back in 1999) we chose www.countrymeadowsoaps.com as our web address. Our company name does not relate in any way to red/white/checked country gingham type of products! It was meant to convey serenity, peacefulness and relaxation.

When and why did you decide to start your business?
It all started back in 1998. I love making and receiving handmade items so one year I was searching for something different for Christmas and came across a few books on how to make your own soap. It was pretty scary making that first batch but after the first few I was hooked!
In the beginning I was using a very basic soap recipe but I was amazed at the difference between handcrafted soap and the commercial soap you typically purchase at the neighborhood grocery store. That inspired me to learn how to create my own more complex recipes as well as branch out into other skin care products. I knew I could make better products using simple beneficial ingredients instead of the filler oils that are in so many mass produced products.

Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
I love a challenge. Creating a formula from a handful or two of raw ingredients and having an end product that is exactly what you envisioned is very satisfying.

What is your main goal for this year?
We do a lot of business (wholesale) by word of mouth and referrals. This year we have joined up with several other small businesses and are doing group print ads. We have several ads coming out in various magazines this fall and I’m curious to see what the response will be.

We are also currently working on naturally scented room sprays and in the development stage are all natural facial toners.

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
Start slow and keep it simple. Always keep your dream in the back of your mind. You may have to detour a time or two but if you always head towards the light you will eventually get there.

Which of the tools you use is your favorite?
As odd as this may sound I think it would have to be the computer. I use a spreadsheet to create formulas and pricing and we have a couple of graphics programs that we create the labels with. A lot of our ingredients are ordered online and of course we do have a website! I am still amazed at all the things you can do with a computer.

Website:
Country Meadow Soaps

*****

Little Extras

Where are you located?
We are studio based in Lynnwood, Washington – just north of Seattle.

What's your favorite quote?
Actually I have two: KISS (keep it simple stupid) and Less is More! I repeat both over and over again every time I create a new formula and especially when creating labels.

What's your favorite food?
My husband makes killer ribs on the bbq!

What's your favorite drink?
Coffee!