Artisan Joy, Issue 1

Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings and omissions. If, however, an error comes to your attention, please notify us at hello@artisanjoy.com and accept our sincere apologies. Thank you. ©2023

Photo courtesy of Awamaki. Story

Letter from the Editor

New year, new focus. We spent time cultivating clarity about what we want Artisan Joy to be and, with the release of this issue, set our mission in stone.

Mission:

To guide and inspire artists, designers, crafters, makers and other creative entrepreneurs aiming to grow and develop their creative businesses.

Editorial Philosophy

By sharing the stories of creative individuals who are earning money through their craft, we believe we can help others looking to grow and develop their own creative businesses.

We reveal the challenges and successes of starting, running and growing a creative business— offering perspective and insight for artists, designers, crafters, makers and other creative entrepreneurs looking to turn their passion into profit.

In addition, our publication explores the hard work and dedication that goes into producing artworks and artisanal goods. We hope these insights inspire consumers to shop small.

If you’re an artist, designer or maker, we invite you to be inspired by our content and learn from other creative entrepreneurs.

If you love shopping small, supporting artists and artisans, and finding unique goods, we encourage you to discover new artists, makers, crafters and designers in our pages.

Our theme this month is lifting others up, and this revamped issue of Artisan Joy features inspiring artists and makers who do just that. If you’re selling or hope to sell your creative work at an art show or craft fair this year, you can find tips from experienced vendors on page 3.

We are also featuring food artisans in the magazine. You can learn about two fabulous makers and try their recipes on page 9 and 10.

Although I honed in on my love of art and craft in 2021 with the launch of ArtisanJoy.com, I realized I’ve always had this passion. On page 32, you can read about my trip to Peru in 2012, where I had an amazing opportunity to meet artisans who keep Peruvian craft traditions alive.

Thanks for Reading,

Tips for Preparing for Your First Market

By Artisan Joy Staff

Many successful creative entrepreneurs earned their first sales at craft fairs and art festivals. Setting up a booth can be daunting for newbie sellers. So, we read maker forums and interviewed experienced vendors to help you prepare for your first show.

Before Exhibiting

Watch out for fake shows

Scammers have set up phony craft fairs on Facebook. Be sure to vet events and even confirm their legitimacy. “Call the place where the event is happening and verify if they are hosting the show and who the organizers are.” - Noreen Christofaro, Hidden Treasures Jewelry by Noreen

Is the show’s vibe right for your work?

Check out shows before participating and note the vendors and their goods because the quality of the vendors around you can enhance how show goers perceive your work.

Also notice how the vendors set up their displays to get ideas for planning out your booth. “My best advice to any new vendor is to make a pleasing display. Invest in quality tables and buy tablecloths that fit your tables. A nice display draws customers in. And then it’s up to you to talk to them and sell your product.”

-Alice Petrone

Practice setting up your booth

One artisan advised that new vendors “set up their tent display

in their backyard or even living room a couple weeks before your show and practice setups. Take pictures of what you like. Move things around and try different setups. Take more pics to remember how you ultimately liked it, so you remember how to set up at your first show.”

–Christopher Rowe, Falcon Wood and Laser Works

Make a checklist

Experienced craft fair and art show vendors recommend using a checklist to prepare for a show because there are many things to remember—from your products to payment processing technology to a first-aid kit.

“Have a go bag of items. Things you could need like first aid, deodorant, bug spray, sunblock, hair ties, pens, notebook, ones, fives, tens, bags for items in different sizes, water, snacks, tape, scissors, permanent marker, business cards or postcards or pamphlets, extra price tags or labels, additional

inventory” - Beth Peltier, Hush Little Baby Cakes & Gifted

Determine the right pricing

“Check out prices of similar items to yours, so you’ll get a fair price for your product.” - Noreen Christofaro, Hidden Treasures

Jewelry by Noreen

One maker advised that new vendors, “sell multiple price points. If you sell a product with high price points, carry a few lower priced items—they always sell.” – Bethany Rawcliffe-Burke, The Workshop n More

Do the paperwork

Check with your state to determine what its requirements are for selling goods at craft fairs, art shows, festivals, farmers markets, etc. You may need a sales tax permit, business license or another official document.

Advice for The Show

After unloading your merch, keep packing boxes out of sight to reduce visual clutter and present professionalism.

Always keep an eye on your money box. Consider investing in a vendor apron to wear your cash.

Engage with your customers.

“You have to be engaging even if you just say hello or good morning and smile…Be present to everyone...You are there for such a brief period of time, so make the most of it.” – Nancy Howlett, Fashion Wraps by Nancy

Mother’s Day Shopping Predictions

By Artisan Joy Staff

Etsy published “Marketplace Insights: Early 2023 Trends” in its “Seller Handbook” in December 2022. The marketplace predicts shoppers will look for traditional gifts with a twist for Mother’s Day. In fact, the article noted a “56% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing ‘personalize gift mom.’” Get ready if you make personalized gifts and jewelry! The report also mentioned that consumers will select “whimsical Mother’s Day cards” this year.

Time to Travel

Todd Stearn, founder and CEO of www. TheMoneyManual.com, provided additional thoughts about shopping trends. “Many people, including moms, are really valuing travel right now. There is still huge pent-up demand. Flight searches are up 46 percent year-over-year on Kayak. So, I think hot gifts this Mother’s Day will be centered around travel. These could be cute luggage tags, beautiful picture frames and shadow boxes to preserve travel memories, travel-size toiletry bottles, belt bags and more,” he said.

We explored a facet of Todd’s prediction with Insightfactory, an SEO tool for Etsy. At the time of this writing, Insightfactory called the search term “personalized luggage tag” a “hot sale signal.” According to the tool, “59 from 60 listings on the first page of Etsy search results had at least one sale during the past week.”

Memory Makers

If you’re an artist or maker who teaches or is considering offering classes, we have some good news. Gifts of experience were popular Mother’s Day presents in 2022, and the trend is expected to continue. “More people are turning to memory-making experiences as gifts to enjoy together or individually. Our research shows these types of gifts help to form lasting bonds and are special for both the gift giver and recipient. Pottery classes, glassblowing, soap making, custom frame making, glow in the dark splatter paint sessions and DIY custom candle pouring workshops are just a few of the many experiences we offer at Virgin Experience Gifts,” said Melanie White, vice president of Virgin Experience Gifts.

Etsy reported a “53% YoY increase in searches on Etsy containing initial necklace gold.”

A CPA PROVIDES TIPS FOR NAVIGATING THE HOBBY VS. BUSINESS DISTINCTION FOR TAX PURPOSES

Edited by Artisan Joy Staff

If you’ve started a creative business, you may be tracking expenses and saving receipts for possible business deductions come tax time. But did you know? The IRS has strict rules for classifying an activity as a business or hobby. If classified as a hobby, the business owner cannot claim expenses or losses from it on their tax return.

Certain forms of income, such as selling handmade crafts, may be more likely to be considered hobbies by the IRS as the federal agency scrutinizes those activities. We interviewed Tatiana Tsoir, CPA, MBA, over email to provide you with advice.

Artisan Joy: Creative entrepreneurs may not know that the IRS could classify their business as a hobby. What’s your advice?

Tatiana Tsoir: Be sure that you have a profit motive. For a non-hobby treatment, you have to show profit (net positive income) three out of [the] last five years (special exception for horse breeding of two out of [the] last seven years). If you do not show a profit in five years, your activity will be reclassified as hobby and all losses disallowed retroactively.

I would also advise to actually treat it as a business. This means keeping your business income and expenses in a separate account—even if it’s an account under your personal name. There is nothing that the IRS loves better than commingled funds to use that to disallow your deductions.

It’s natural for a new business, especially a creative business, to lose money early on or to break even. But, though it’s nice to use tax losses, it’s not a good thing to lose money, and it’s certainly not a good feeling.

AJ: What are some tips for helping a creative individual distinguish the sale of their art/goods as a business?

TT: To establish yourself as a business, you don’t have to necessarily register an LLC (though I would advise it) and can just open a bank account separately and be done. An LLC is a good idea to start with so that you don’t incur additional expenses for tax filing in

the beginning. Once you reach $50,000 to $75,000 in net profit for the year, find someone to help you potentially convert to an S Corp. One caveat: lawyers love LLCs because of the limited liability protection—so I cannot blame them. But corporations provide the same level of protection. If you keep your LLC past $50,000-$75,000 in income as is, you will overpay taxes every year. And that’s a problem! Unless, of course, you like to overpay tax.

The bigger a business grows, the more you need a tax planner (proactive tax reduction) to restructure and possibly create a multi-entity structure, but I do agree with lawyers to get an LLC going—it’s the simplest, quickest and easiest thing and doesn’t require a separate filing (and payment). But keep the threshold in mind.

About Tatiana

Tatiana Tsoir, CPA, MBA, is an awardwinning Accountant, bestselling Author, Speaker and Entrepreneurship Expert. A fervent believer that the key to happiness lies in entrepreneurship, Tatiana encourages and empowers entrepreneurship and side-hustles at every age.

Over the last 17+ years, Tatiana has used her expertise in tax planning and price psychology to help hundreds of businesses become more profitable, stabilize cash flow, and pay less in taxes through a combination of tax strategies, operational planning, and commitment to excellence.

Tatiana now focuses on supporting individuals in building a business that changes lives, including their own. Tatiana is a frequent speaker at conferences, is the author of “Dream Bold, Start Smart: Be Your Own Boss & Make Money Doing What You Love” and host of the podcast Talk to Tatiana in which she has conversations with world experts about their entrepreneurial journey. Tatiana has been featured in Fortune, Forbes, US News & Report, Business Insider, GoBankingRates, Bankrate, CBS, The List,  The Daily CPA, NTD, Thrive Insider, and National Speaker Association.

GET NOTICED BY THE MEDIA: ADVICE FROM A PR PRO

Getting press coverage can be challenging but not impossible for handmade businesses. So, we consulted Teia Wallington, the founder and public relations manager at Love Publicity in Detroit. Teia has unique insight into PR for artisans because she worked with several makers through Nest, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that supports artisans domestically and around the world

Here are Teia’s three manageable tips for getting noticed by media outlets.

1. Have great visuals! Highquality photos and videos (that can now be produced from a cell phone and great lighting) can help you on more than a social media page. Your beautiful work can grab the attention of an editor or producer. You can create product style, lifestyle photos or fun and engaging videos showcasing your work.

2. Clear messaging. Having a clear, consistent message about who you are. What you’re selling and your story should be easy to figure out. Having a short bio, product descriptions or even a fun video to share this information will allow the journalist or producer to connect with you.

3. Be accessible. Buying your goods or contacting you should be extremely easy. If you make the journalist work to find a contact or a buy button, they will grow less and less interested in covering you. Therefore, make sure you have your contact information in your social bios, and try to make sure you have a digital footprint like your own website—even if it’s just a one-pager with your contact information.

About Teia

Love Publicity is a creative public relations agency headquartered in Detroit, Mich. that helps clients across many sectors, including lifestyle, hospitality, retail and nonprofit, by engaging traditional, digital and social public relation strategies to produce innovative publicity campaigns.

Love Publicity focuses on securing nationwide clients in print, online and broadcast media as well as in blogs and social media – thereby getting clients’ stories face-to-face with its target audiences… and creating content is our thing too!

Editor’s Note: Interviews took place online/via email. The quotes in the interview were edited slightly for length, clarity and style.

Biz Book Spotlight

By Stephanie Blanchard

Around the time I started Artisan Joy, I took an online course on marrying creativity and business called “Jumpstart: Ignite Your Creativity for Profit, Innovation and Reinvention” by contemporary art curator and writer Maria Brito. While the course focused on the creativity of artists, I easily applied it to my situation. The program gave me the confidence to keep going with Artisan Joy.

Maria recently published “How Creativity Rules the World: The Art and Business of Turning Your Ideas into Gold.” The book’s premise is that creativity is essential for business success, no matter your industry. “How Creativity Rules the World” takes an in-depth look into “history, culture, psychology, science, and entrepreneurship, analyzing the elements used by some of the most creative minds throughout the last 600 years.” I just started reading the book and already know it will be an invaluable resource for my business.

TWO LAWYERS COMMENT ON FORMING A SEPARATE ENTITY FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Edited by Artisan Joy Staff

Making your business “official” in the eyes of the law can be confusing. So, we interviewed two lawyers to demystify the importance of setting up a separate entity for your business vs. sole proprietorship.

Artisan Joy (AJ): In your opinion, why should an artist, maker, designer, crafter or other creative entrepreneur set up a separate entity for their business? How can it protect them and their creative work?

LaConya Murray (LM): Creative entrepreneurs can create and earn a living from those creations. This is a true gift. A gift that is protected by intellectual property laws. While it is easy for entrepreneurs to focus on the creation part of their business, not having the proper business foundation can cost them. This includes forming a separate entity for their business.

Many creative entrepreneurs operate as sole proprietors which means the business and individual are one. If your business owes money that debt can be satisfied with the business owners personal assets including home, car, bank accounts. For this reason alone, creating a separate entity benefits the entrepreneur.

Whether a corporation or limited liability company, both entities protect the business owner’s personal assets from business liabilities. The reverse is also true. If you have personal liabilities, your business and creative work can be protected by the separation created by forming a separate entity.

In addition to liability protection, creating a separate entity can provide tax benefits, provide credibility to your business and allow you to transfer ownership. Your creative work would become an asset of the entity, increasing the value of the business.

Leah Weinberg (LW): It’s so important for any creative entrepreneur once they start selling

something (whether it be a product or a service) to have a legal entity for their business rather than operating as an individual. And the biggest reason is liability. When you’re conducting business as an individual, should a customer or client have an issue with your product or service and decide to take legal action, all of your personal assets are essentially up for grabs to satisfy the claim (should the client or customer prevail).

But when you are working through a corporate entity and there’s an issue, only your business’ assets would be available to satisfy the claim (except in extreme circumstances like fraud or willful misconduct where you could still be liable personally). I know that spending the money at the very start of your business to form a legal entity might be scary, but it will definitely be a worthwhile investment.

AJ: Should a creative entrepreneur consult a lawyer up front and why? If not, at what point in their business should they consider it? Finances may be a barrier to entry for a creative person hiring a lawyer. Do you recommend any resources?

LM: A 30-minute consultation could save entrepreneurs thousands of dollars and hours of time. Most entrepreneurs do not know what they do not know. An attorney can address your specific situation and questions while providing an action plan to avoid future legal problems. They should meet their attorney on a regular basis to stay out of trouble and make sure the business interests are protected. Selling your work online, collaborating with a brand, taking commissions? Consult with an attorney to make sure you have the right paperwork in place and are following the appropriate laws.

Consultations with licensed attorneys can start at $200. If cost is an obstacle, some cities offer free or discounted resources for creative entrepreneurs. Check with your state bar or local law schools for available programs. My office is currently offering discounted consultations for entrepreneurs wanting to start the year off tackling their legal needs. We also provide weekly law related articles and monthly question and answer sessions live in our free community, MARKEDlegal.

LW: It’s good practice for a creative entrepreneur to establish a relationship with an attorney when first starting their business. Entrepreneurship is a wild ride, and having someone in your corner who is knowledgeable about small businesses and who you can trust is going to give you so much confidence along that ride. If you can afford the expense, an attorney can assist with getting all of those foundational ducks in a row (setting up a legal entity, getting an EIN, qualifying to do business in multiple states, etc.) and can also draft whatever contracts are needed for your business. Because legal fees can be a big expense for a brand new business, there are ways to get your entity off the ground on your own and there are contract template shops, Legally Set (contract template shop, coowned by LW), where you can purchase attorney-drafted contracts that are less expensive than having a custom one created by an attorney.

It’s also worth adding that, even without spending money, it’s great to find your attorney before you actually need one. Create that relationship, even if you don’t necessarily have any work for them in that moment. That way, when something does go awry, you know exactly who to call and don’t have to panic trying to find someone in that moment.

About LaConya

LaConya Murray is an Intellectual Property Attorney and Entrepreneur at MarkedLegal.com. Through her legal subscription program, the Genius Insider, LaConya provides subject matter experts in various industries with ongoing legal support and business mentorship to help them protect and grow their brand. She absolutely loves what she does and finds joy in helping innovators take the proper steps to secure their intellectual property – or as she likes to say, “own their Genius.”

About Leah Leah Weinberg—co-founder of Oduberg Law LLP and co-owner of contract template shop Legally Set is an attorney, a recovering wedding planner, and the author of “The Wedding Roller Coaster.”

After nearly a decade in the wedding industry as the owner of Color Pop Events, a New York City-based wedding planning company, Leah is returning to her roots as an attorney to assist her former colleagues in the events industry, along with other entrepreneurs and business owners.

Her work and insights have been published online and in print with Vogue, the New York Times, People, CNN, CNBC, Bravo, Martha Stewart, and The Knot, among others.

A WeddingPro Educator with The Knot +WeddingWire since 2020, Leah travels throughout the country sharing insight with her peers regionally, as well as at national conferences such as Alt Summit, NACE Experience, and The Special Event.

Editor’s Note: Interviews took place online/via email. The quotes in the interview were edited slightly for length, clarity and style.

A 30-minute consultation could save entrepreneurs thousands of dollars and hours of time.

ARTISANAL FOOD

Butternut Bisque with Sausage and Spinach

By Lily Scott, Founder of Lily’s Ladle

Author’s Notes: OK—this recipe is for my friends who think butternut squash soup is boring. This recipe is here to rock your socks. It is full of beautiful fall and winter vegetables and comes together easily. No roasting, scraping or washing a sheet pan. Just a deeply flavorful and satisfying bowl that will wow any butternut un-believer. It’s a little sweet and savory, smooth and toothsome all at the same time. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tbsp butter or olive oil

• 1 medium onion, roughly chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, sliced

• 1 tsp cayenne pepper

• 1 tsp plus 1 tbsp fresh chopped sage

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 large butternut squash (about 3 cups), peeled and chunked into 1-inch pieces

• 1 small/medium sweet potato, peeled and chunked

• 1 3/4 cups Lily’s Ladle Veggie Mineral or Chicken Bone Broth

• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk

• 3 cups water

ARTISANAL FOOD

• 3 or 4 large links sweet Italian chicken sausage, out of casing

• 2 cups baby spinach

METHOD

1. In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil or butter. Sprinkle with cayenne, 1 tsp of sage, and salt. Sauté about 5 mins.

2. Add squash, sweet potato, broth, water, coconut milk. Bring to a boil, then cover and lower to simmer about 15 mins, or until squash and sweet potato are soft.

3. Purée contents of soup pot in batches using a food processor, until smooth. Pour back into soup pot and bring to a simmer. Or use an immersion blender and keep everything right in your pot.

4. In a medium sauté pan, brown the sausage and break up in small crumbles. Add to soup pot.

5. Stir spinach into soup.

6. In the same pan used for the sausage, brown the remaining sage in olive oil. Sort of fry it until crispy (you may need to add a little more olive oil to the pan to do this, depending on the type of sausage you used). Then add to the soup. Grind in some fresh pepper and enjoy!

About Lily’s Ladle Lily’s Ladle crafts frozen bone broths with ingredients sourced from Southern New England. We simmer 100% grass fed beef bones, hormone free, antibiotic free, vegetarian raised chickens. These ingredients are simmered over low heat for more than 24 hours, in order to coax out their maximum health benefits. Lily’s Ladle broths are nutrient dense, high in protein and collagen and made only from whole food ingredients. We are a fresh frozen product. No chemicals, stabilizers or preservatives added ever.

Avocado Kimchi Toast

By Minnie Luong, Chef, Culinary Educator and Founder of Chi Kitchen

Elevate your every-day avocado toast by adding some Chi Kitchen Kimchi to it! Savory, crunchy, and packed with probiotics, this easy-to-make dish is a healthy and delicious addition to any breakfast or snack plate.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp Chi Kitchen Kimchi (Napa or Vegan) juice

• 1 cup drained Chi Kitchen Kimchi, chopped finely

• 2 tbsp mayo or plain yogurt. If vegan, use tahini

• Pinch of kosher salt

• 1 ripe avocado

• 4 large slices of toasted country bread

• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Whisk together kimchi juice and mayo/yogurt/tahini in a small bowl. Taste and add salt if need be.

2. Place 1/4 of avocado on pieces of toast, mash with a fork and sprinkle salt on each piece.

3. Spoon Chi Kitchen kimchi onto the toast, and drizzle kimchi sauce over each piece. Add sesame seeds and cilantro on top. Top with salt or pepper if you’d like. Enjoy!

About Chi Kitchen

Our mission at Chi Kitchen is to create flavorful, hand-crafted Asian foods for the Well-being & Vitality of our customers. Our products are loaded with billions of beneficial probiotics using only the best ingredients and free of preservatives.

PEGGY LI

REFLECTS ON HER PATH TO DESIGNING JEWELRY

Peggy Li is the founder of Peggy Li, a woman-, Asian American- and Pacific Islander-owned jewelry brand. You may have spotted her designs on television, including “Arrow,” “Dead to Me,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “Private Practice,” “Witches of East End,” “Riverdale, “New Girl” and other hit shows. Peggy Li’s handmade jewelry is simple and feminine but with a modern edge.

We chatted with the founder to learn about how she began designing jewelry. Like many creative entrepreneurs, Peggy’s path to full-time jewelry design wasn’t linear. She offers some great advice here, and we hope our conversation inspires you.

Artisan Joy: How did you get started making jewelry?

Peggy Li: I think I got started like a lot of people. I was making jewelry for fun for myself. I was working as a writer in Los Angeles and couldn’t afford to shop as much as I would have liked! People stopped me on the street to ask where I had gotten my pieces. It made me think it could be something.

AJ: When did you realize that you could turn your designing jewelry into a business?

PL: As a writer, I had the opportunity to interview the costume designer for the TV show “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer,” Cynthia Bergstrom. Afterwards, I decided to send her some of the jewelry I had been making. I totally forgot about it until I received a call from Cynthia, letting me know that she was using my jewelry on the show and had told a reporter at “USA Today” about me! The reporter asked where people could purchase my pieces and I said, ‘My website.’ After finishing that phone call, I turned to my coworkers and said, ‘I think I have to build a website.’

AJ: Where do you find inspiration for your creations?

PL: I pull inspiration from all sorts of places, but mainly from

People stopped me on the street to ask where I had gotten my pieces. It made me think it could be something.

TV and film, my first loves! I also love working with the raw materials themselves—stones, beads and charms. I’m drawn to unusual colors and cuts of stones and work to highlight the uniqueness of the materials.

AJ: How do you apply that inspiration to your work?

PL: There’s usually just a shape or texture or color combination that I see that inspires my designs. I will iterate on those shapes and color combinations and work to highlight the charm or stones in a way that makes sense to me.

AJ: What’s something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

PL: I majored in chemical engineering at UC Berkeley and always thought I would be a scientist growing up! Instead, I moved to Los Angeles after college to become a screenwriter. I moved back to the Bay Area to do online marketing for Electronic Arts before finally taking the leap to run my business full-time.

AJ: As creatives, we can be continuously creating and refining our art. How do you handle perfectionism?

PL: I don’t think I’m dogged by perfectionism as much as I am about comparison syndrome. While I think you should always be aware of trends and what your peers are doing, as well as aspiring for more, always take the time to put the blinders on and focus on

what you love, your abilities and what brings you joy in your art.

AJ: When it comes to running a creative business, what keeps you going through the ups and downs?

PL: I feel very lucky to be able to do what I do. Taking a moment to appreciate the how far I’ve come helps get me through the low points.

AJ: What advice would you give to someone who is interested in putting their work out into the world but feels vulnerable about it?

PL: I say just go for it. Or not— you can enjoy your art just for yourself. In my case, I craved feedback and putting my work out there gave that to me, for better or worse. I was excited about what I was creating and wanted to share that with others. Only with feedback did I know whether I was headed in the right direction to get better at what I was doing.

AJ: Has someone ever criticized your work? How did you handle it?

PL: Oh, totally. It stings, it hurts, but then remember the blinders thing? It will drive you nuts to compare yourself to other peoples’ standards. Your journey is your own. I’m proud of the things I’ve accomplished while also knowing there is still much more to learn!

AJ: Creatives are often very in tune with what’s happening in the world. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. If this happens to you, how do you cope?

PL: This is a very interesting question. I’m not of the school of ‘suffering’ for your art. Yet, we all definitely draw from our own experiences for our creativity. I see my work as a great outlet to express what I’m feeling, if not by words, by work and by action.

AJ: Are you passionate about a cause?

PL: Lately I’ve been able to turn my jewelry work into ways to raise money for causes I’m passionate about. One is World Central Kitchen, a wonderful organization that goes to disaster zones and feeds displaced people and first responders. Another is combatting the recent rise of hate against Asian Americans. I created a Fortune Cookie and Year of the Ox design to raise funds for the Go Fund Me #StopAsianhate campaign. Lastly, I just recently listed a Dove Charm necklace to raise funds for the girl teen writer mentorship program WriteGirl (that was seen on the ‘Today’ Show).

AJ: What brings you joy?

PL: Spending time with loved ones, eating great food, watching movies and being active in the outdoors (specifically, golfing)!

Thanks, Peggy! Her jewelry is available at peggyli.com. You can also follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited slightly for length and clarity.

All photos in this article are courtesy of Peggy Li.

I feel very lucky to be able to do what I do.

Taking a moment to appreciate how far I’ve come helps get me through the low points.

Have you ever met someone who instantly makes you feel happy?

Artist, photographer, maker and content creator Jaclyn Altieri is one of those people. So if you could use a dose of joy, definitely check out her Instagram. I met Jaclyn in real life around 2012, and I was drawn to her handmade headbands and jewelry. Recently, she’s taken her creativity to canvas and paper, painting whimsical art, and we couldn’t wait to learn more.

Artisan Joy: Tell us about your art.

Jaclyn Altieri: My hands are always dipped in a few projects at a time. Currently, I’m working on a body of artwork compiled of acrylic paintings on canvas and paper. My work was reignited during COVID-19 and served as an outlet full of joy, color and happiness. My paintings mostly consist of women, sometimes singular, sometimes in pairs, and each painting has a story

ON USING ART AS A FORCE FOR GOOD, STAYING TRUE TO HER CRAFT AND LEANING INTO THE WAVES

behind it. They are all a part of me and serve as a source of the fantastical and sometimes a funny storyline.

AJ: What drew you to painting?

JA: I’ve always been into art, but I began to paint again over this past winter when I was searching for something that would put my creative juices to work, bring bright colors into existence while also serving as an outlet for my itchy hands.

AJ: When did you realize that you could sell your art?

JA: I started putting my work up online through my Instagram feed and started receiving a great response. It was exciting to know that my art would be decorating people’s spaces, bringing them joy and color.

AJ: Where do you find inspiration for your creations?

JA: I find inspiration in color and from other artists who aren’t

afraid to put their work out into the world.

AJ: How do you apply that inspiration to your work?

JA: I’m really drawn to colors that feel like happiness and joy to me. I love searching the web for other artists. What I love most about what I do is that I don’t

think about it. Their faces and accessories just sort of come through me and onto the paper or canvas. It’s a time to really turn my brain off, just go and let my hands lead the way.

AJ: What’s something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

JA: Hmmm, I don’t know! Maybe that I’ve lived a lot of different lives with careers, travel and focus shifts. I’m always afraid of change, but somehow, when I learn to lean into the waves, life gets better and a little easier.

AJ: As creatives, we can be continuously creating and refining our art. How do you handle perfectionism?

JA: As a Virgo, and someone who can sometimes be very type A, even if I’m not necessarily feeling one of my projects, I just keep going. Sometimes I will put a painting aside for a few days, a few weeks and then return when it feels right. Sometimes I begin again. Isn’t that what life is?—just a cycle of beginnings and endings and beginning again. I really try not to overthink any of the pieces. I notice that when I start to get really critical of a work, it tends to ruin all the magic of it, so I go back when I can just get lost in the act of flowing.

Just do it. Don’t think, don’t stress about what others may think or say. Not everyone will love your work...Your art, your craft, is a piece of you, and it’s a beautiful thing to put it out there.

All photos in this article are courtesy Jaclyn Altieri.

AJ: Has someone ever criticized your artwork? How did you handle it?

JA: Yes! I’ve had a close family member say to me, ‘Who would buy these?’ I’m sure they didn’t mean for it to be insulting, but as an artist, I am super sensitive about my work. I’ve also been criticized about my jewelry by several companies who didn’t want to hire me. What I’ve learned is that these comments are my best motivators. They inspire me to keep pushing forward, stay true to my craft regardless of other people’s acceptance, and not be afraid to be authentically myself. I recognize that I don’t need everyone’s approval to create my art.

AJ: What advice would you give to someone interested in putting their art out into the world but feels vulnerable about it?

JA: Just do it. Don’t think, don’t stress about what others may think or say. Not everyone will love your work, but it’s

more about the artist and the connection it has to you. Your art, your craft, is a piece of you, and it’s a beautiful thing to put it out there. Who knows where it will take you. It’s fun to think of the possibilities.

AJ: Creatives are often very in tune with what’s happening in the world. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. If this happens to you, how do you cope?

JA: The pandemic and heavy political climate really inspired me last year to do something proactive. I raised over $6000, which I donated in $500 increments to 12 different organizations and charities. It felt necessary for me to contribute to people and charities that desperately needed it. It helped me get creative and satisfy my need to do something to help.

AJ: Are you passionate about a cause, and why?

JA: I’m passionate about Black Lives Matter, mental health awareness, making sure people

and children have access to healthy food, safe shelter and a good education. I used to be a social worker for teens, and that is near and dear to me. Equality is important on every level. I’m passionate about the lives lost to gun violence. I’m passionate about helping people who don’t necessarily have the stage to speak out from.

AJ: What brings you joy?

JA: Making art, being creative, connecting people, seeing my work in your homes, donating to worthy causes, doing some good and contributing positively to this world. My baby, my friendships, my little family. A good meal around a table of lifelong friends. Ice cream.

Thanks, Jaclyn! You can visit socialluniac.com, shop Luniac Style jewelry and accessories on Etsy, or follow Jaclyn on Instagram.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited slightly for clarity.

BRITTANNY TAYLOR

ON DISCOVERING A CAREER IN PHOTOGRAPHY BY ACCIDENT

Brittanny Taylor is a photographer based in Providence, R.I. and works in New York, New England and beyond. Her photography focuses on branding, lifestyle, boudoir and fashion. We met at a fashion show back in 2012, and I have admired her work ever since. Now it’s your turn to go behind the lens with Brittanny.

Artisan Joy: How did you become a photographer? Brittanny Taylor: It was an accident, actually. I never planned on being a photographer. I went to college for film studies, and I wanted to be a sports documentary editor. After college, I worked for Sony retail stores and had to learn how to use their brand new DSLR camera so that I could sell them. That’s how I learned how to take photos. After that, I worked for a local camera business and ended up getting laid off. I owned a camera, so I started

taking photos of models, and the rest is history.

AJ: When did you realize that you could turn your craft into a business?

BT: I started in 2009 right when the 2008 financial crisis ended, but it still was hard to find a job. I realized then that I should try to make photography my thing.

AJ: Where do you find inspiration, and how do you apply it to your work?

BT: Like most photographers, I find inspiration from Instagram— mostly from influencers or business owners. I like to see how I can apply what I’ve seen and make it my own style. As much as I would love to replicate other people’s work, I can only shoot like me.

AJ: What’s something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

BT: I’ve had no formal training in photography, but looking back, it was clear I was meant to be a photographer. My mother has photos of three-yearold me holding a cassette tape to my face because I thought it was a camera. I always had a point-andshoot camera in my 20s, and my friends always asked me to take photos of them. I had plenty of ideas of what I wanted to have as a career, yet photography was never one of them.

AJ: As creatives, we can be continuously creating and refining our art. How do you handle perfectionism?

I’ve had no formal training in photography, but looking back, it was clear I was meant to be a photographer.

All

photos in this article are courtesy of Brittanny Taylor.

BT: I’m an Enneagram Type 1, which is literally The perfectionist. And it’s not in the job interview sense of ‘my biggest weakness is I’m a perfectionist.’ It can be quite debilitating, and there are times I feel like nothing I create is good enough, so I don’t even bother. I think the best thing a creative can do is create something that no one will ever see. It takes the pressure off when you’re not all consumed with how many Instagram likes you’ll get.

AJ: What advice would you give to someone interested in putting their art or photography out into the world but feels vulnerable about it?

BT: I would say create a website and hold off on sharing it on social media. Social sites cause unnecessary pressure to produce content just for the likes. If someone wants to see your work, or if you need to share it, send your website. And honestly, it’s way more professional, in my opinion, to see a body of work in a portfolio than on an Instagram feed.

AJ: Has someone ever criticized your photography? How did you handle it? BT: I’m sure plenty of people have criticized my photography. It doesn’t really affect me because I’m proud of the work, and my clients are happy. Random comments from people not involved do not matter to me.

AJ: Creatives are often very in tune with what’s happening in the world. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. If this happens to you, how do you cope?

BT: I’m in a constant state of overwhelm, and I’m not proud of it. Especially as a Black woman, it is imperative that I take the time to refuel myself. I try to remember to turn it all off and do something mindless like watching funny YouTube videos or playing Animal Crossing.

AJ: Are you passionate about a cause, and why?

BT: I am currently the communications cochair for RI NOW. The organization’s mission is to create equality and equity in political, social and economic arenas. I am also co-leader for TuesdaysTogether Rhode Island, which is focused on creating community over competition with creative small business owners.

AJ: What brings you joy?

BT: Quiet time on the couch with my family, which consists of my husband and two chihuahuas. That always brings me back down to earth.

Thanks, Brittanny! You can learn more about the photographer at brittannytaylor.com or follow her on Instagram.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited slightly for clarity.

ON SWITCHING FROM A CAREER IN HEALTHCARE TO FULL-TIME CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR

Jake Kenyon is the founder of Kenyarn, which produces handdyed, small-batch wool fiber for knitting, crocheting, weaving, macramé and embroidery. He began selling his hand-dyed yarn in 2018 as a side hustle. As the pandemic lockdowns of 2020 inspired many of us to take up hobbies, including knitting and crocheting, demand for Jake’s handdyed yarn increased. The maker left his job as a speech language pathologist to pursue Kenyarn full-time in early 2021. Like the brand’s fans, we adore Kenyarn’s bold color stories. We caught up with Jake to learn more about him and his craft.

Photo courtesy of Jake Kenyon/Kenyarn.

Artisan Joy: How did you begin dyeing yarn?

Jake Kenyon: Since I can remember, I have been deeply invested in the visual arts and, as a child, was thoroughly enamored with color. I loved sidewalk chalk, face painting and was always enrolled in an art class. In 2017 I began crocheting out of necessity during a particularly anxiety-inducing period of graduate school. After learning to crochet, I discovered through Instagram the world of hand-dyed yarn. After purchasing a few books and some small jars of dye, I began dyeing my own yarn in the comfort of my kitchen.

AJ: When did you realize that you could turn yarn dyeing into a full-time business?

JK: I first released a small batch of yarn to an Etsy shop in 2018 and made a very limited amount of income that year. Since that time, sales have grown steadily, and in February of 2021, I left my job as a speech language pathologist to pursue Kenyarn full-time.

AJ: Where do you find inspiration for your creations?

JK: I find inspiration from everywhere—nature, magic, astrology, my favorite cartoon villains and even some of my favorite films. It’s such a fun experience to bring characters or concepts to life in a color palette on bare wool.

AJ: How do you apply that inspiration to your work?

JK: I really only dye from themes that deeply inspire me. If the inspiration is not there, it will not translate well to my yarn.

AJ: What’s something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

JK: I think folks often assume I have been doing this my entire life. I received my master’s in speech language pathology in 2015. Then, from 2015 to 2021, I worked full-time in an acute-care hospital setting.

AJ: As creatives, we can be continuously creating and refining our art. How do you handle perfectionism?

JK: Yarn dyeing is very fickle. Often times a planned experiment can go completely awry. In many cases, some of my worst mistakes have actually produced my most popular colorways! I struggled with perfectionism a lot when I first started this business but have realized that my audience appreciates my authentic self and the ‘colorful chaos’ style of dyeing and visual marketing. I try to be myself 100 percent of the time, from every interaction on social media to greeting customers at in-person events!

Photo courtesy of Jake Kenyon/Kenyarn.

Photo courtesy of Jake Kenyon/Kenyarn.

AJ: When it comes to running a creative business, what keeps you going through the ups and downs?

JK: I think checking in with my body regularly, both physically and emotionally, is very important. I also take periodic days of rest where I completely log off social sites to really have time for myself in my own home without my business pinging in the background. I have seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, but trusting in your art and allowing those moments to shape you keeps me moving forward. I would be lying if I said everything I’ve ever done is a wild success! I have had some terrible failures, but I’ve learned from every one of them!

AJ: What advice would you give to someone who is interested in putting their work out into the world but feels vulnerable about it?

JK:  I say ‘screw the world!’ Haha, I jest. But in some ways, I’m serious. If your work brings you joy and makes you feel alive—it will have the same effect on a customer or patron. Believe me, take the risk. No one ever discovered greatness by playing it safe.

AJ: Has someone ever criticized your work? How did you handle it?

JK: I tend to get criticism at in-person markets from the ‘Debbie Downers’ who ‘would never buy expensive yarn like that.’ When, in fact, they are deeply unaware of how much more eco-conscious buying sustainably sourced wool is and just how much more quality is in merino wool than the acrylic yarn you buy at a craft store. I often try to approach those moments with education rather than just convincing someone to buy my yarn. Also, if someone truly doesn’t see the value in my art, I don’t necessarily want them to have it!

AJ: Creatives are often very in tune with what’s happening in the world. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. If this happens to you, how do you cope?

JK: I try to stay engaged in the world and the political climate. I do often get very overwhelmed, but I try every day to use my platform to enact change and to educate folks. I am a huge supporter of civil rights, trans rights, and women’s reproductive health. Each year I try to host multiple raffles for various products in my shop. Since the start of my business, I have donated over $12,000 to various charities, including Black Lives Matter, Rainbow Railroad and Trans Lifeline. Although I can’t change the entire world, I can certainly try and change my small corner of it.

AJ: And, of course, we have to ask you this: What brings you joy?

JK: There are so many things that bring me joy. Inside of my business, I find joy in interactions with my employees, selling someone their first skein of yarn, seeing the creations people make with their Kenyarn. Outside of my business, I find joy in spending time with my partner, my best friends and my doggy niece and nephew. I love reading, knitting, using my Tarot deck and walking on the bike path!

Thanks, Jake! Kenyarn hand-dyed yarn, knitting patterns and more can be found at kenyarn.com. You can also follow the brand on Instagram and Facebook.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited slightly for length and clarity.

Photo courtesy of Jake Kenyon/Kenyarn.

Alicia Boateng designs distinctive and memorable drinkware for coffee, tea and other beverages. The glam cups feature inspiring BIPOC women accentuated with gems and beads. You may have spotted the designer’s handiwork on the “Today Show,” MSN, Food Network, “Reader’s Digest” or “Forbes.” Alicia’s determination to empower women to feel confident, powerful and beautiful while enjoying their favorite beverages fuels her brand. We caught up with the creative entrepreneur to learn more about how she got started.

DESIGNER

ALICIA BOATENG

ON LAUNCHING A CREATIVE BUSINESS FUELED BY HER LOVE OF COFFEE

Artisan Joy: What prompted you to begin designing cups?

Alicia Boateng: It all started with my obsession with coffee. I love my coffee. It’s when I recite my affirmations, enjoy the delicious beverage and self-reflect. One morning, I said to my husband, ‘If I loved my cup as much as I love my coffee, it would take my experience to a whole new level.’ That is when the planning and the designing began for the Afro Glam Collection.

AJ: When did you realize that you could turn your work into a business?

AB: In 2019, we had a pop-up shop in our local mall. We were primarily selling holiday decor and trinkets. I had posted some of the cups on social media and within two

weeks of hosting the shop, women were standing in line waiting to purchase my cups. The outpour of love and demand was there, and that is when I realized I had created something memorable, unique and personalized.

AJ: Where do you find inspiration for your creations?

AB: Reading about history—most of my cups are named after pioneer women that have faced adversity and paved the path for us. For example, Osceola is named after a founding member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. The Black Excellence Collection includes cups inspired by Madam CJ Walker and Dr. Maya Angelou. These women left being a legacy that should be remembered for many years to come.

Alicia Boateng and her husband Edward.

Photo courtesy of Alicia.

AJ: What’s something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

AB: I do not like tacos. That’s always a joke in our house because everyone here loves tacos and although I cook them for my family, I do not eat them. Also, I do not eat with my hands. I carry a plastic fork and knife with me in my purse!

AJ: As creatives, we can be continuously creating and refining our art. How do you handle perfectionism?

AB: I am very hard on myself, and handling perfectionism is definitely a challenge. I give it my all and remind myself that I am creating a piece of art. Whether it’s perfect or not, it’s a memorable and distinctive piece that can never be duplicated.

AJ: When it comes to running a creative business, what keeps you going through the ups and downs?

AB: Having the support from my family. We celebrate the wins and reflect on the fails.

AJ: What advice would you give to someone who is interested in putting their work out into the world but feels vulnerable about it?

AB: Go for it. I understand it is easier said than done, and if you don’t go for it, you will never know. When having conversations with women that are on the fence about starting their own business—the question that always comes up is, ‘what if it doesn’t work?’ OK—what if it does work? Then what? You should never ever quit after only one try. Walt Disney was turned down by 300 financiers. Imagine if he would have quit then? That is the motivation we all need to keep going and make our goals achievable.

Courtesy of Alicia Boateng Designs.

Most of my cups are named after pioneer women that have faced adversity and paved the path for us.

AJ: Has someone ever criticized your artwork? How did you handle it?

AB: Yes. I make pieces that portray beautiful African American women. I am not African American, so this, at first, was a challenge. I worked on conveying the right message behind the cups. We are all beautiful, we are all worthy, and I feel that my cups will help you build confidence and power no matter what color your skin is. Women have to stand strong together and uplift each other up.

AJ: What causes are you

passionate about?

Yes. I am passionate about empowering young women and building their confidence. I am partnered up with Girl Pride Africa, an organization that teaches young, teenage African mothers financial independence and life skills such as cooking, sewing and reading.

AJ: And, of course, we have to ask: what brings you joy?

AB: My family and my coffee bring me joy. My family because we have shown our kids what it is like to be entrepreneurs. We have shown them the good, the bad and the

ugly of being your own boss and sustaining multiple businesses. My coffee because it allows me at least ten minutes to myself when I can enjoy my favorite beverage and recite my daily affirmations in preparation of the challenges that are to come that day.

Thanks, Alicia! You can purchase her designs at aliciaboateng.com and follow her brand on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited slightly for length and clarity.

We have shown our kids what it is like to be entrepreneurs. We have shown them the good, the bad and the ugly of being your own boss...

HUONG WOLF

KEEPS AN ANCIENT ART ALIVE AND USES IT TO MAKE THE WORLD MORE INCLUSIVE

Huong Wolf is the CEO and co-founder of Quilling Card, a handmade greeting card company based in Massachusetts. The company has a manufacturing facility in Vietnam, where artisans create each quilled art card by hand, a process that takes one hour to complete. Quilling is an ancient Egyptian technique, where artisans roll and shape long, thin strips of paper and glue them down to make intricate designs. Earlier this year, Quilling Card achieved two Guinness World Records, including “Most People Quilling Simultaneously” and “Largest Quilling Paper Mosaic.”

Huong had a successful career in global marketing before taking the leap into creative entrepreneurship. Read about how she pivoted her career in this inspiring interview. Also, don’t miss the story of the company’s braille greeting card line. It’s a beautiful example of how art can make the world a more inclusive place.

Artisan Joy:

What is quilling?

Huong Wolf: Quilling is an ancient Egyptian art. This is the art of rolled, shaped and glued paper that results in creating a unified, decorative design. The name quilling is thought to come from the origin of the art—birds’ feathers, or quills, were used to coil the strips of paper around. At Quilling Card, we translate that art in an accessible way, creating quilled cards that are beautiful pieces of art and ways to connect and express yourself.

Article photos courtesy of Quilling Card.

AJ: How did you become interested in quilled art?

HW:  I spent my career in global marketing for large multinational brands, and my husband Raphael was an entrepreneur his entire life. We discovered quilling while we were living in Vietnam. I have always been passionate about handmade products and bought a few quilling wall art pieces as home decor for our apartment in Saigon prior to the birth of Quilling Card, so I knew about quilling as an art form, but hadn’t thought of it as a greeting card.

At some point, a friend asked Raphael to check out a quilling factory that was for sale in Vietnam. He actually misunderstood and thought it was quilting! He thought it may be interesting because he was in the textile business for many years. But when we arrived and learned about the intricate art of quilling, we were immediately intrigued. He thought it would be great if we could create greeting cards featuring quilling. We created an LLC company the very same night at our apartment in Ho Chi Minh City. Our passion for quilling and entrepreneurship were essential elements in the birth of Quilling Card LLC.

AJ: When did you make Quilling Card your full-time career?

HW: We just celebrated our ten-year

anniversary! Quilling Card is a fulltime job for myself, my husband and more than a dozen employees in our U.S. office as well as hundreds of skilled artisans who craft our cards in Vietnam.

I made the decision to go full time fairly quickly after visiting that factory and creating our LLC. I left my corporate job once we made this decision, and I’ll never forget my boss’ reaction—he laughed at the idea I was going from marketing huge multinationals with giant budgets to creating greeting cards. But I knew it was time for a change, and I was excited to create something meaningful for other people. When I first started to observe how people were reacting to the cards—in awe at this beautiful form of art they had never known of before—it gave me the confidence that the Quilling Card would be a success.

We launched Quilling Card during the National Stationery Show at Javits Center in New York City on May 12, 2012. We are a grassroots company founded in our humble apartment in Saigon and

completely self-funded, with a few family-and-friend loans here and there. We have grown the business year over year from a one-woman show to over 500 women and men now, even during the challenging years of COVID, and we take pride in maintaining full ownership.

AJ: Where do you find inspiration?

HW: We are inspired by a wide variety of things: artwork, scenes in nature, ideas from our customers and our team! We are in the midst of launching an artists line, first featuring our “Starry Night” greeting card. This was inspired by a project we undertook to celebrate our tenth anniversary: a Guinness World Record title for the world’s largest paper mosaic—a largerthan-life feature of Van Gogh’s famous painting.

Another great example is our Braille line, which we launched because we recognized a gap in the market, which has very few Braille cards. We knew that the 3D nature of quilling lent itself beautifully to Braille, but beyond that we recognized a unique opportunity. We have dozens of deaf quillers at our factories, and we thought it was a wonderful chance to have our deaf quillers make cards for our blind customers. The deaf use their hands to make the cards, and the blind use their hands to read the cards, creating a special connection from the hands of the artisans to the hearts of card recipients. We partnered with one of the country’s leading schools for the blind in this project, which gave us tremendous feedback and great consumer insights that were invaluable to the successful creation of this collection.

Beyond that, the designs are inspired by what we believe our customers will love, and if you look at the hundreds of designs we have available, you’ll see that we’ve thought of nearly everything and are always introducing new cards!

AJ: What’s something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

HW: Quilling Card was selected for “Shark Tank” in 2020—but we turned it down! I seriously considered it, but my husband and business partner, Raphael, pointed out that we had grown the business to the point that we really did not need investors. That being said, if we’d gone forward, Mr. Wonderful would have been my choice for a “shark” to take an investment from!

AJ: As creatives, we can be continuously creating and refining our art. How do you handle perfectionism?

HW: The notion of perfectionism is so subjective when it comes to any kind of art. Throughout our design development process for each card, it is easy to find critiques and want to make revisions with each and every draft—a natural tendency for any creative, as you mentioned.

AJ: What advice would you give to someone who is interested in putting their art out into the world but feels vulnerable about it?

HW: Don’t hesitate and just do it! It is the best way to continue growing and developing your craft, and the only way you will start finding your audience. If you believe in your work and have perseverance, you will likely end up being surprised at what unexpected opportunities may come your way once you start sharing your art.

AJ: What’s something that surprised you about running a creative business?

HW: I’ve been surprised at how impactful our cards have been for so many individuals and at the potential each design we create has to touch people in such special ways. We have had many customers reach out and share stories of how our cards had been part of such significant moments in their lives.

AJ: Has someone ever criticized your work? How did you handle it?

HW: We’ve certainly received bits of criticism throughout the years, which we know is just something to be expected. It is important that we make sure to always stay open-minded and be able to use criticism to make improvements to our designs and business. Our customers have given us valuable feedback over the years that we are grateful for.

AJ: What’s a cause you are passionate about and why?

HW: I have lost many college friends and coworkers to breast cancer. We once had a customer call us and ask if we had any designs with a theme related to battling cancer. Her friend, who loves quilling, was in hospice and had only two weeks to live. We immediately created a breast cancer ribbon design and hand wrote a message to send directly to the breast cancer patient to get there in time. The design is still in our line today.

We also created a special design in partnership with the Joy to Life Foundation. They are committed to providing resources to underserved women in Alabama, providing

free mammograms, building awareness and promoting overall good health and wellbeing. We give 20 percent of sales of this specific card design to support the foundation.

AJ: And, of course, we have to ask you this: What brings you joy?

HW: What brings me joy is to see our company and quillers grow professionally. When we first started our business, it was very hard to recruit and retain talent since many did not believe that quilling was a career; they thought quilling was a hobby or seasonal job. Today, we have people who come to us knowing nothing about quilling, but through our training, coaching, and development program, have become master quillers, designers and senior managers.

Another joy of mine is to read our Google reviews from customers who our cards have significantly impacted. They share the effect the card had on their lives or how it enhanced their relationships with family and friends. Finally, the most rewarding part of our business is that we created the market for this ancient art form and we are responsible for keeping quilling alive and flourishing in the modern day.

Thanks, Huong! You can follow Quilling Card on Instagram, Facebook and Instagram and shop the line of cards at quillingcard.com.

Editor’s Note: This interview was edited slightly for length and clarity.

IF YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR WORK AND HAVE PERSEVERANCE, YOU WILL LIKELY END UP BEING SURPRISED AT WHAT UNEXPECTED OPPORTUNITIES MAY COME YOUR WAY ONCE YOU START SHARING YOUR ART.

HOW

ROSE LUANGISA

STARTED A SUCCESSFUL GALLERY FEATURING FAIR TRADE ` ART AND GOODS

Twenty-five years ago, Rose Luangisa moved over 7500 miles from Tanzania to New York, bringing her collection of African artifacts to her new home. Rose set up a table at a pop-up shop in Mount Vernon, N.Y. on a whim and tried her hand at selling the unique pieces. Shoppers expressed tons of interest in her goods. “I couldn’t believe how people were connected and so passionate about the pieces,” she said.

Malawi cane furniture, beaded floor lamp, Bamileke table and framed photo of woman from the Hamer tribe in Omo Valley, Ethiopia. Photo courtesy of Luangisa African Gallery.

Courtesyof Rose Luangisa.

The experience inspired Rose to open her own shop in Mount Vernon. The Luangisa African Gallery carries authentic, fair-trade and modern African art, artifacts, fashion, home decor, jewelry and textiles. Rose and her team work directly with artisans across the continent to share their rich African culture and heritage with the world.

Keep reading to learn more about Rose and her business.

Artisan Joy: Can you share the backstory of your artisan partners, such as where they live, what life is like for them, etc.?

Rose Luangisa: We curate handmade art and pieces from artisans from all over Africa. For example, the Namji tribe in Cameroon craft our Namji dolls and the Bamileke women in West Cameroon make our Juju hats. We actually work directly with a group of 20 Bamileke master craftswomen to create them.

Our baskets are made in various villages, such as Rwanda, the Mbunda craftswomen of the remote western province of Zambia and the Tonga tribe living in Northern Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Valley, to name a few. Every piece from Luangisa comes from a different artisan, and no two are exactly alike.

AJ: How does it feel to give your artisan partners a platform to showcase their creations to the world?

RL: It is incredible! Not only are they able to showcase their art and talent for making handmade items, but we also provide them with a fair and sustainable wage. In addition, many of the artisans we work with are women.

African artisans make juju hats, a Bamileke tradition. Courtesy of Rose Luangisa.

African artisans make juju hats, a Bamileke tradition. Courtesy of Rose Luangisa.

Beaded cameron shield. Photo courtesy of Luangisa African Gallery.

AJ: Can you describe the impact your brand has had on your artisan partners’ lives?

RL: It has allowed them to work doing what they love and provides a wage for their families.

AJ: How has working with your artisan partners changed your life?

RL: Every day, I am in awe of their incredible craftsmanship and dedication to the work. It is such an honor to reveal the rich African culture and heritage with the world through their pieces.

AJ: Describe how working with your artisan partners inspires you each day.

RL: I have an appreciation for their hard work, focus and dedication to their craft.

AJ: Name the biggest challenge of running your business.

RL: The biggest challenge is that many people don’t know about us. We are currently working to increase our marketing and get the word out even more.

AJ: How do you manage that challenge?

RL: I just hired a new team to help me manage marketing and day-today logistics as much of what I do is working with artisans and dealing with shipping in Africa.

AJ: What brings you joy?

RL: My family, my community and spreading the message about Africa and our business to consumers.

Thanks, Rose! Handmade goods by African artisans are available for purchase at luangisa.com, and you can follow Luangisa African Gallery on Instagram.

Editor’s Note: This interview was edited slightly for length and clarity.

African artisans make juju hats, a Bamileke tradition. Courtesyof Rose Luangisa.

Yoruba beaded arm chairs.

Photo courtesy of Luangisa African Gallery.

Exploring Traditional Andean Crafts in Peru with Social Enterprise Awamaki

By Stephanie Blanchard

In the spring of 2012, I traveled to Peru with my husband, Brandon. During trip planning, he found information about Awamaki, a non-profit social enterprise offering sustainable tourism experiences. One of the highlights of traveling with Awamaki is connecting with artisans in Quechua communities. Knowing my passion for handmade goods, Brandon suggested we book a tour, and I wholeheartedly agreed.

We went on a six-hour village visit with Awamaki in Ollantaytambo, where we enjoyed an earth-oven lunch. Community members dug a hole, built a fire and covered it with rocks. After the stones were heated, they placed wrapped marinated chicken, sweet potatoes, beans, Andean potatoes and native tubers among the rocks. We topped the hot food with Peru’s famous pepper sauces. I’m writing about it nearly 13 years later, so you can imagine that the Pachamanca lunch was a delicious and unforgettable experience.

After lunch, we had the opportunity to see a traditional Andean weaving demonstration by women artisans. The skilled makers collaborate with Awamaki to sell contemporary home, gift and accessory items. I loved learning that the artisans use organic plant dyes and traditional Andean techniques to produce their goods, keeping beautiful craft traditions alive.

Top Photo Credit: Stephanie Blanchard

Bottom Photo Credit: Courtesy of Awamaki

If you’re headed to Peru on holiday, consider taking one of Awamaki’s tours. The organization’s artisan partnership provides artisans with a sustainable source of income to support their families.

Awamaki has been awarded the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Tourism for Tomorrow Award for Social Impact and the TO DO Award for Sustainable Tourism. Awamaki was also a finalist in the National Geographic World Legacy Awards. Can’t take a trip? Shop the collections at awamaki.org/collections.

One of the highlights of traveling with Awamaki is connecting with artisans in Quechua communities.

Artisans partner with the team at Awamaki to produce contemporary home, gift and accessory items. All photos on this page are courtesy of Awamaki.

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F Clipboard

F Business Cards

F Cash ($1, $5, $10)

F Cash Box/Apron/Envelope

F Credit Card Reader

F Payment Methods Sign

F Calculator

F Order Forms

F Bags/Boxes

F Tissue Paper

F Phone Charger/Charging Cables

F Giveaway Box

F Drawing Slips for Giveaway

Tools

F Extension Cords

F Glue/Hot Glue/Hot Glue Gun

F Tape

F Pens & Markers

F Paper Clips

F Rubber Bands

F Scissors

F Trash Bags

F String/Twine

F Twist Ties

F Hook & Loop Fasteners

F Adhesive Strips

Other

Display

F Bins

F Table

F Table Cover

F Chairs

F Decorations

F Price List

F Price Tags

F Branding Signs

F Banner

F Decorations

F Shelves/Risers

Outdoor Specific

F Canopy

F Canopy Sidewalls

F Canopy Tie-downs & Stakes

F Bungee Cords

F Lights

F Sweater/Sweatshirt

F Portable Generator

F Fan

Personal

F Change of Clothes

F Pain Reliever

F Tissues

F Paper Towels

F First Aid Kit/Bandages

F Drinks & Snacks

F Hand Sanitizer

F Baby Wipes

F Personal Medications

Suzanne Schireson, Skylight Desk, 2022