PartlyCloudy Collective was started by creators Sara Hammerstad and Jessica Newton, classmates from St. Cloud State who love making things by hand. Their creativity knows no bounds; they make home decor, practical goods, jewelry, and special holiday ornaments. Sara and Jessica's collaboration has produced the sweetest stocking stuffers, and their variety of handmade treasures will make everyone on your holiday shopping list happy!
Who are you and what do you do?
Jessica Newton and Sara Hammerstad make up the duo of PartlyCloudy Collective. We are two friends that are both graphic designers by day, but enjoy spending some time away from our computers and making something with our hands. In some shape or form, everything is handmade by the two of us at our kitchen table.
Will you be featuring any special holiday items?
Around the holidays we both create various holiday ornaments. Some are made from felt and vintage buttons while others are small pieces of wood burned by hand.
What do your customers love most about your products?
Everything we make is handmade with love, and we make items that we would want to purchase ourselves.
Have you always been passionate about art and design?
We both have been makers of sorts since our childhood. The two of us met in art school at St. Cloud State University and both work as graphic designers, so a lot of our lives are spent dedicated to creative pursuits. I don’t know what I would do without the many creative outlets in my life. I (Jessica) remember entering every coloring or poster contest I could as a kid including winning a safety poster contest for my mom’s work at a young age.
What do you love most about craft show vending?
We love meeting the customers and talking to them about our craft. It’s fun to see how people react and relate to our products and how different items strike a chord with each individual customer. Our conversations often help us see the products in a different light and often spark an idea of what to
make next.
How did you get started in your business?
PartlyCloudy started in the summer of 2014. We had always wanted to start our own craft business, so after a few afternoons spent crafting with friends, we met at a local diner to discuss the logistics of making it happen. Our free time is spent working with new materials and building our inventory.
Where did your business name come from?
The two of us met in college at St. Cloud State University. We shared a Fundamentals of Drawing class and quickly bonded over the in-class assignments and became fast friends. When we decided to start the business we knew we wanted the name to somehow reference our days at St. Cloud
State and PartlyCloudy Collective was born.
Check out more of PartlyCloudy's products online, and be sure to stop by their booth at the Minneapolis Gift & Art Expo, November 3-5, 2017 at the Minneapolis Convention Center!