creative inspiration
Sylvie Farrington is the founder of SylvieBags. The German-born designer came to the United States at 19. “I began selling newspapers and later worked as an au pair,” she said. Sylvie was passionate about textiles, color and art, so she went back to Germany to complete a fine sewing and
art
Poet Alex Wilkinson is the founder and chief executive poet at Poems by Post, an art and poetry subscription. Every month, he and his team create uplifting mail for people worldwide. “We send typewritten poetry and captivating artwork to people all around the world every single month, inspiring our audience
Creative Entrepreneur
Minnie Erickson is the founder of Minnieology, a gift box business. Before launching her endeavor, Minnie loved to curate gift boxes to give friends on their milestone birthdays. The presents were a hit, and friends began asking to purchase Minnie’s creations. That was her cue to begin Minnieology. “I
art
When artist and illustrator Louma El-Khoury couldn’t bear to give away her daughter’s precious baby clothes, she created a way to display them as DIY keepsakes. Her friends and family spotted the artwork and asked Louma to create pieces for them. That’s when the artist knew it
clothing
Can you change careers in your 50s? Shreya Patel did. She is the co-founder, designer and creative director at Tanisi, an ethical women’s clothing brand featuring chic designs with Indian panache. Shreya’s founder story inspires us on multiple levels. For one, she moved to the U.S. with
art
Huong Wolf, CEO and Co-Founder of Quilling Card, 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 business based in Massachusetts. The company has a manufacturing facility in Vietnam, where artisans
artist
Lynn Woods is a content creator at Back to the South, a blog about DIY home decor and party planning. She is also a home decor stylist and founder of Back to the South Bling, where she sells sparkly goods. We chatted with Lynn to learn more about her maker
creative entrepreur
As a child, Rachel Reinhardt made necklaces from her grandmother’s vintage button collection—she was drawn to the colors and loved creating. As an adult, Rachel worked in the fashion jewelry business learning the trade. But a day out with her late mother changed the course of her career.
Creative Entrepreneur
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
If you’ve visited Artisan Joy before, you know that we promote the work of artists, designers and makers. We also celebrate the act of creating just for fun, especially when it’s making something for friends and loved ones. So with spring just around the corner, it’s a
Creative Entrepreneur
Djennin Casab is a jewelry designer at E’lur Wrist Designs, a handmade luxury jewelry brand that celebrates African and Latin American cultures using AAA-grade gemstones and precious metals. After visiting her home country, Djennin was inspired to explore and reimagine her Mexican heritage through art, which took shape as
artist
In her interview, Melissa Panszi-Riebe, jewelry designer and founder of A D’Zine, shares how she evolved as a creative entrepreneur, from finding the courage to sell at craft fairs to launching a full-fledge business. Melissa creates one-of-a-kind, limited-edition jewelry using vintage, new and global pieces. Each design evokes a