Who are you and what do you do?

I am a Romanian-American artist-writer. I published several books, including poetries, novels, proverbs, and art books. Also, I painted over 600 paintings. My paintings are vibrant, happy, and positive and I am not afraid to use bright colors (They make me happy and it showed that I have a lot of art lovers).

Is this a full-time business for you?

Yes, I paint and write full-time.

What is the latest thing you have been working on?

I just finished a 3D painting, an abstract guitar, named “ The love of my life”.

What motivates you to create?

I enjoy creating unique paintings. I grew up in Romania, in a small village: a place full of joy, happiness, colors, animals, flowers, and blue sky. I am inspired by that period of my life. I simply love to paint and my soul vibrates when I see that my art is appreciated it. What motivates me to create? Very good question! It makes me happy to see that my colors transferred into a canvas, and made someone else happy as well!

What is your favorite item that you sell?

I sell Original paintings, pints made after my paintings, miniature art, and greeting cards. My favorite is the abstract 3D art I create. It proved that is not only my favorite style, but many people love it and I have sold several 3-D paintings.

Gina Nicolae Johnson

www.sublimepaintings.com

www.instagram.com/ginanicolaejohnson

www.facebook.com/GinaNicolaeJohnson

Who are you and what do you do?

Hello! My name is Jana. I am a Registered Nurse and a busy mom of two teenagers. The Crafty Owl started as a hobby that has turned into a business offering apparel, glassware, jewelry, keychains, and more!

Why did you start working in this field?

Since I was young, I have realized that crafting things is an important part of who I am. I started this business as a hobby making keychains for my daughter’s competition and now, you can find glass cups, wine tumblers, bracelets, bookmarks, and so much more in my shop.

How do you usually prepare for the holiday season?

My favorite holiday is Christmas, and I am very excited to bring new festive creations and gifts into my shop. I hope that each item you purchase makes you smile every time you see it.

The Crafty Owl Boutique

www.thecraftyowlboutique.com

www.instagram.com/The_Crafty_Owl_Boutique

www.facebook.com/thecraftyowlboutique

Who are you and what do you do?

108 Candles is a collection of locally made, hand poured soy wax candles free of toxins and harmful chemicals. Our eco-friendly wax and oils are sourced in the US. When possible, 108 recycles and reuses vessels to remain in the sustainable loop. Our candles are hand crafted in small batches.

Where did your business name come from? Is there an interesting story behind it?

The 108 Candles name was inspired by the circumstances in which my business first began. As many of us were forced home by the 2020 pandemic, I was no exception. I was a yoga instructor at 4 studios in and around the Twin Cities area while also operating my home studio. When we were all forced to close our doors, I was forced to shift my energy to something creative that could fill the gap until we could safely return to work. As I was lighting candles and meditating on what was next for me I suddenly realized my answer was right in front of my eyes. The auspicious number 108 in yoga refers to:
1=Spark -The idea.
0=Silence -The quiet of planning and creation.
8=Infinity -The momentum of the launch of the product and its infinite possibilities.

What do you think sets your designs apart from others?

I believe in supporting local artists. I currently support by purchasing a local glass blower, who creates colorful cocktail sized glasses. I also showcase my daughter’s creations of epoxy resin mushrooms with hand-laid dried flowers. Both artists create stunning vessels for our scented candles and their art pieces are easily cleaned and reusable to enjoy long after the candles have burned out.

What do your customers love most about your product(s)?

Taking advantage of 108 Candles’ recycle/reuse program, where I provide refill services for your favorite empty candle containers. Recycle our apothecary jars for a 20% discount

How do you usually prepare for the holiday season?

I get very excited for the Holidays. This is our time to shine! Holiday inspired fragrances and vessels are a joy to create, and I love finding special pieces for gift giving.

108 Candles

www.108candles.com

www.instagram.com/108candles

We just launched a new collection called the "Windsor Collection." It is a series of mountain scenes with beautiful skyscapes. The collection includes smaller, more convertible pieces, perfect for shelves, countertops, and mantles.  

www.rushcityrustic.com

www.facebook.com/rushcityrustic
 

Who are you and what do you do?
My name is John Saunders and I have picked up a habit...I mean a hobby in woodworking over the last year or two. It is currently a side business/hobby, as I work full time as well.

What made you take this leap into being your own boss?
I have never liked or accepted the idea that I would need to give a company 40 hours of my time every week for 40 years. When my dad retired he immediately jumped into being his own boss and told me how freeing it was to do so. Once I found woodworking and realized I could do it, I jumped at the opportunity to try making it work. Another important factor is having a good support system if you have 4 (soon to be 5) kids at home. My wife, Leigh, is the person that makes this possible by supporting my obsession and being my biggest cheerleader. She also helps considerably in the organization and cost tracking areas, as I'd rather just go go go sometimes.

What has been your favorite moment since creating your business?
The moment when a piece is finished, which in woodworking is applying the finish. Most of the processes involved in woodworking have me in a state of "will this work?", the moment the finish goes on and the colors pop you feel an instant sense of pride and relief all at once.

Why did you start working in this field?
I made a cubby, bench and storage system in the entryway of my house and I was hooked. I immediately purchased tools and wood to start with making cutting boards.

What are some tips or suggestions you would like to offer?
Don't be afraid to try going into business on your own, if you are passionate about it and you can provide someone value it can work.

What is the latest thing you have been working on?
Recently I began working on some charcuterie boards/serving trays made using black walnut, as well as a waterfall coffee table made from a single slab of black walnut.

Will you be featuring any special holiday items?
I plan to bring my recently made Black walnut waterfall coffee table and hope to have a bench or side table made from a single piece of purple heart (a naturally purple exotic wood species)

www.etsy.com/shop/SaundersDesignsStore

Who are you and what do you do?

I am a science teacher, Master Gardener, and hobby conservationist. I’ve been teaching high school biology and chemistry for 16 years and I work with at-risk kids. In my spare time I volunteer with the Master Gardener program through University of MN extension, and tend my own vegetable and flower gardens. I enjoy growing my own food and flowers, and love making useful, natural products for my home with what I grow. I love to stay informed about environmental issues, and do what I can to not be part of the environmental problem. I rescue monarch caterpillars and grow native plants for bees and butterflies, and try to provide habitat for birds and wildlife in my yard.

How did you get started in your business?

It is my dream to have a lavender farm. I have learned everything I can about lavender and farming to prepare myself. I have taken a class for beginning farmers and a class on growing lavender through Michigan State University, I have attended the national and regional conferences for lavender growers for several years, I went on a road trip through Wisconsin and Michigan and visited 17 lavender farms, and I have read every book on the subject that has been published. The only thing holding me back is a big farm down payment, and I am working hard trying to save my pennies to get there. I started Leah’s Lavender Gardens so I could have a training ground to learn how to run a business, so that when I finally get my lavender farm I will know what I am doing and won’t be starting from scratch!

What do your customers love most about your product(s)?

People love the scent of my products. They stop at my booth and pick up each soap to smell it, then they bend down to smell each potpourri. Visiting my booth is a sensory experience. But there are a lot of soaps to choose from out there—I think my customers are the ones who are interested in all-natural, high quality ingredients that are good for people and the environment. So many soaps contain artificial fragrance oils that can really overpower the senses, or synthetic colorants or chemicals that can be harsh on sensitive skin. I put a lot of thought and research into choosing natural ingredients that will be good for people and good for the environment.

What is the latest thing you have been working on?

Right now I am learning how to make my own soap dishes. I bought a small potting wheel, ordered some clay, and have been spending time figuring out pottery techniques. How hard can it be?! Well, turns out it’s a lot harder than it looks. I am also putting together new potpourri blends with an autumn theme in mind, and so far that has been much more successful than my pottery.

How do you usually prepare for the holiday season?

I start in summer when everything is growing and blooming. That’s when I harvest and dry flowers, leaves, seed pods, and everything else I need to put on top of my soaps or my potpourri. There is a curing time of 6-8 weeks for most of the products I make so I need to plan and prepare well ahead of time in order to be ready. As a teacher, I am fortunate to have summertime mostly to myself to pursue my own ambitions in the garden and with my business. I try to do as much work as I can in July and August so that when Labor Day rolls around I can turn my attention back to school. It is strange to be smelling peppermint and cinnamon in August, but that’s the game we play in the craft business!

Will you be featuring any special holiday items?

I have an assortment of soaps with holiday themed scents—peppermint, cranberry-orange, snowy pine, orange and clove, cinnamon spice… I also really enjoy my Evergreen Forest potpourri, which smells like a Christmas to me. I will have scented pine cones this year, and also pomander balls, which are oranges stuck with whole cloves to preserve them—they smell divine! The sense of smell is very closely linked to the part of the brain that processes memory, so I like to have soaps and potpourri around during the holidays because they quickly bring me back to the holiday magic of my childhood.

www.leahslavendergardens.com

www.instagram.com/leahs_lavender_gardens

www.facebook.com

Who are you and what do you do?

We are The Human Of Color Haircare. We are a high-quality haircare at a affordable price that caters to the textured and curly headed community. Our products are natural, sulfate and parable free products. We range from by our washing needs to styling. Our mission to be a part of everybody daily life and encourage woman and men to embrace one’s true self every curl and kink.

Is this a full-time business for you?

Yes, After I get off work from my Day job- I spend many of my nights and weekends working on improving, answering emails, packing orders, and more.

What do you think sets your products apart from others?

I am set apart because of a few things; All-natural products that are sulfate and parable free. My line has a product range from 2~4 type hair which can help all type of curly headed men and woman. As well as everything is Black owned sourced (labels, product, marketing, ingredients).

What motivates you to create?

The need for products that work and created by somebody in the Black Community. Many products in stores at this moment say they support the textured band curly headed community but do not have the key ingredients that we need such as oils, sulfate free and natural ingredients.

Where did your business name come from? Is there an interesting story behind it?

The Human Of Color, is my personal IG name and I came about that a few years ago because I wanted to HUMANIZE the phrase “people of color”. I see each culture as individual, with individual needs, individual struggles, and experiences, so why group us as something so “open as people” but see me as the HUMAN I am that has color.

What are some tips or suggestions you would like to offer to fellow makers?

Create from a passion. Start a business or creating something is easier when you wake up thinking about it. Hair care is not a job or a hassle because it’s something I been playing in since I can remember. I feel my whole life I have been training to build a Haircare line because I was always researching about natural products to make my hair grow, hold moisture and shine.

What was your first memory of why I started making Haircare?

When Tianna was 22, she made the decision to go natural with my hair. It wasn’t an easy choice and she was afraid, but she knew in my heart it was what she wanted and needed to do. She thought to herself, “I’m going to do this? No more hiding. This is who I am as a woman, this is what I want the world to see.” She was completely unprepared for the significance this decision would have on her and her self-esteem at first.

What has been your favorite moment since creating your business?

Hosting a Free product giveaway event at one of the largest Universities in Minnesota, and being nervous I would not be received well, and at the end of the event... I had over 5+ BIPOC students crying in my arms from joy and being seen on campus!- I late found out I am and still only the FIRST Black female haircare line that has even been sold/partnered with the University.

What are some inspirations for your work?

When you hold a bottle of The Human Of Color product, you’re holding something that STANDS for something, Social justice, Equal opportunity, and closure of the financial gap among the Black community working hard to keep recycling our dollars. Products that are plant-derived, natural, and organic are created by a textured-headed woman who knows the needs of her customers. The Human Of Color Haircare is made to support the needs of all our textured and curly-headed ladies and men. Products that serve Moisture Retention, Shine, and Growth.

The Human Of Color Haircare goal is to support the black community (textured and curly-headed) and to provide us with something we know is really ours

Will you be featuring any special holiday items?

Yes, We will be featuring our packages/Budelt specials that cater to the need of Curly and/Or Textured hair needs.
The Essential Starter Gift Bundle: Whether you’re a new natural or on the hunt for some serious moisture, The Essential Starter Bundle is the best way to start your journey.
Wash & Go 3-Step Gift Bundle: With this recipe, you can show off your curls and look amazing every day of the week with minimal effort.
LOC Method 3-Step Recipe Gift Bundle: The LOC method is a great way to nourish, hydrate, and promote moisture retention on your scalp and hair.

The Human Of Color
www.thehumanofcolor.com
www.instagram.com/Humanofcolorproducts
www.facebook.com/HumanOfColorProducts

Who are you and what do you do? 

My name is Angie Whelan, and my business, YB Urban? Aromatherapy + Wellness, strives to create healthy alternatives to commercially produced personal care items that people are using everyday.  By combining my knowledge of plants, essential oils, and natural ingredients, I have been able to formulate recipes that range from lotion and lip balm, to specialty skin care for different skin types, hair care, men's care, and other seasonal items.  

What do your customers love most about your product(s)?  

Our customers love that we small batch our items so they are as fresh as they can be when they are purchased.  We don't need to use excessive chemical preservatives because we are selling direct to our customers and aren't using warehouses for long storage.  We source high-quality ingredients from other family-owned businesses, ask all the right questions, and can provide detailed information about how our products are made.  All of this combined makes for a healthier product that is as or more effective than commercial products.

Is this a full-time business for you?  

I work full-time in my business so that I can give it 100% of my energy.

Why did you start working in this field?  

I have been studying and using essential oils for over 20 years and am aware of their power to support wellness in our lives.  I have watched a number of family and friends lead unhealthy lives, and use products they didn't know were hurting their health until it was too late.  I want to be a source of information and education for my community to help people understand how our bodies work and why using nature in our daily lives really does allow us to live better.

What has been your favorite moment since creating your business?  

I once had a woman come into my shop looking for something to make her "look younger".  I introduced her to my mature-skin facial serum that has ingredients known to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots.  When she asked if it really worked, I let her know I use it everyday and really love how it works.  To that she said to me, "Yeah, but you're only like 30".  Of course I replied, "Actually, I'm 46".  Her response?  "I'll take the serum."  I love telling that story.

How does the city you live in influence your work?

We dually reside on our farm in Western Wisconsin and our shop in the small town of Ellsworth, WI.  The farm is a big influence to our partnership with plants and their healing qualities.  We grow most of our food, and many of the plants we harvest are used to make extracts and infusions for our products.  Continual research into the plants grown on our land leads us to new ingredients and new discoveries that can be used to enhance our product line.  Our small town of Ellsworth is undergoing some major redevelopment and we have opened a shop in the heart of a commercial corridor that for years has struggled with empty, blighted buildings.  Not only is our goal to run a sustainable business, but to be a part of seeing new life come into our community.  We are the only retail business currently on our block, but we know we have the power to inspire others to join us!

Where did your business name come from? Is there an interesting story behind it?  

When we first moved to our farm from the heart of Las Vegas, NV in 2012, we wanted to start a business that was inspired by rural living.  My husband, Chris, commented he's always wanted to make soap and call it YB Stinky?.  We ran with that branding concept labeling our soap YB Stinky?, our lip balm YB Chapped?, lotions YB Dry?, etc.  Because we were looking for a way to tell our city-to-farm story, it only made sense to call our company YB Urban?.

www.yburban.com

www.facebook.com/yburbanwellness

www.instagram.com/yburbanwellness
 

Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Alyssa Whetstone and I’m an artist and art teacher. I work with pen and watercolor to create my paintings and I love to teach others to use this same combination of mediums. I find that even in adulthood we crave creative outlets and it can be a joyful experience to learn a new skill like painting. I lead others to find inspiration in the world around them and reflect on creativity either when looking at my work or making their own.

What is the latest thing you have been working on?
My latest project has been something called watercoloring pages. Each page has a hand-drawn image printed on watercolor paper ready to be painted by anyone of any skill level. To go with the drawing I created a super helpful step-by-step tutorial video that the artist can follow along at their own pace, pausing and playing as they go. I’m super excited about these as I provide a way for the less confident creatives to try watercolor painting without the pressure of drawing the picture.

What do your customers love most about your product(s)?
My customers love to see familiar places and walk down memory lane through the eyes of an artist. It brings me so much joy to connect with others through the nostalgia of familiar places. Customers often point out how they enjoy the simplicity of my illustrations even with the detail that goes into making it recognizable.

What is your favorite item that you sell?
My favorite item is my watercoloring pages. While I love making art, I also love sharing the art-making process with others. I’m excited to continue to expand my collection so you will always have more to try and create. They are so versatile because you can paint on your own or you can host your own paint-and-sip evening with friends and all paint together.

What are some inspirations for your work?
I am constantly inspired by the world around me. I am in awe of God’s creation and the intricacies of nature. I enjoy seeing familiar places and absorbing the nostalgic feeling that comes with them. Most of my art consists of places and plants but sometimes I find myself yearning to draw and paint joyful objects such as books or cups of tea. As a whole, I love creating things I know and see. Creating in a realistic style like this connects me with others who also enjoy the things I create.

What motivates you to create?
I am motivated to create by the relationships my art initiates. I love people and connecting with people. I don’t know if I would desire to make art if no one got to see it. I love showing others and connecting with them over familiar places or joyful scenes. I love having the ability to make something from nothing and using it to connect and bond with people outside of my typical circle.

Alyssa Whetstone | Minnesota Watercolor Artist

www.alyssawhetstoneart.com

www.instagram.com/alyssawhetstoneart

www.facebook.com/alyssawhetstoneart