Created Curated & Scattered Handmade

Interview with Sara, owner of Created Curated

Every week, we spotlight a small business. This week, we are spotlighting Created Curated, and its founder, Sara! We gave Sara a series of questions:

1. Tell us a little about you as a person (background, education, hobbies, etc.)

2. What is the mission and vision you have for your business?

3. Tell us a little about your experience being a small business owner.

4. How has COVID-19 impacted your business?

5. Are there any products you would like to specifically mention?

These were her responses:

1. My name is Sara and I run my own piano teaching business full-time. I love to craft and create as my side hustle. I did my undergrad at Heritage College & Seminary, where I studied music, and also met some of my closest friends. I love going for peaceful walks and searching for the best coffee shops in small towns with my husband, Jared. I am an introvert, and an enneagram 6 (side note: I love personality tests because I love knowing and understanding people). I love spending time with people I love, and I love sharing my passions with others.

2. Created Curated is intended to be a space for creativity & community, both for myself and for others who follow the account. This business is intended to be a fun creative outlet where I sell handcrafted items and curated thrifted items, and $1 from every purchase supports an amazing organization - which is Safe Families KW.

3. I love owning my own business! I love creating my own schedule, and doing administrative tasks. I have enjoyed learning more about the items I sell through following other accounts with similar visions, and increasing my skills in photography and also sewing!

4. I decided to start the business [Created Curated] because of COVID! When I was in lockdown the second time, I decided I wanted to try something new, and also make a little extra income on the side, mostly to support my husband's and my weekly pizza nights (I'm semi kidding, but pizza is a staple in our home). Owning my own business as a piano teacher has changed immensely with Covid-19. With the inability to meet in person, I was forced to develop an online platform of lessons. Little did I know that online lessons would allow my client base to stretch further. I’ve now grown to 30 students, and am currently teaching full-time online (with lockdown). COVID has surprisingly allowed my business to grow and I’ve been forced to adapt to new things, which has had its scary moments, but it’s also been fun to use creativity to change and adapt. I love what I do. I love teaching others the joy that music can bring, and helping them develop a new skill, overcome challenges, and develop confidence! I love running my own business, and I’m thankful I now get to do it as my full time job!

5. I've been creating handcrafted garlands since February, and that is my main crafted item. I sold hand-painted ornaments in December (and I may sell them again for Christmas 2021). The thrifted items are one of a kind, and I would love to showcase some items I have available!

Sara’s garlands are super cute, adding the perfect touch and brightening any room up! She's got a really good eye for thrifted items and all are in good condition. It’s amazing that through her business, she gives back to the community by donating to SFKW. Her piano-teaching business brings musical inspiration and creativity to the community, and it’s phenomenal that she’s managing two businesses at the same time! We’ll be keeping an eye on her Instagram for her vintage items, and we hope you do too!

Interview with Catherine, owner of Scattered Handmade

Every week, we spotlight a small business. This week, we are spotlighting Scattered Handmade, and its founder, Catherine! We gave Catherine a series of questions:

1. Tell us a little about you as a person (background, education, hobbies, etc.)

2. What is the mission and vision you have for your business?

3. Tell us a little about your experience being a small business owner.

4. How has COVID-19 impacted your business?

5. Are there any products you would like to specifically mention?

These were her responses:

1. Generally I identify as a busy working mom of 2 young children. My life before being a mother was filled with socializing, yoga, and occasional travelling to far off places. I graduated from U of T with an art history and economics major, and like any other recent graduate out there, life hit hard when I didn't really know what was out there for me. I found my happy place in jewelry making and dreamed that maybe one day I'll be able to sell my jewelry. That day finally came. :)

2. I create bracelets that channel good energy from within. With each piece, I hope that the gemstones impart its intended energy and serves as a reminder of nature’s power in all of us.

3. It can be a lot of work. I started this little journey on Etsy with the intention of sticking to the platform only. As I went through other small business pages, I realized there was more work that had to be done to promote and advertise my brand. It was overwhelming and still continues to be to this day at times. At the end of the day, I'm just really happy to be making bracelets.

4. COVID-19 made me into a bracelet-making machine. I was anxious and yet it opened up the time for me to do what I love doing. It came to the point that my husband had to remind me everyday to get my etsy shop running. I had to be resourceful with packaging and made use of past craft supplies that I used for my wedding that was years ago. COVID-19 may have shut many businesses down, but it gave artisans the opportunity to monetize their passion. I'm glad I finally took that step, and I am looking forward to how things go after COVID-19.

5. My wrap bracelets! There’s something so special about each one I make. They are all carefully handcrafted with my full concentration dedicated to creating each piece.

Catherine’s handmade bracelets are simple yet gorgeous, and it’s amazing how each bracelet has a different meaning/energy correlated to the gemstones used! The beads are of high-quality, and feel especially comfortable while worn on the wrist. The bracelets are uniquely crafted, and you can really tell that a lot of time and thought was put into the design of each one. Definitely check out her wrap bracelets, and we’re looking forward to her future releases!