My Business Debut

I promised in my last post that I had some exciting news! I've spent many hours this year working on a new business venture.

Can we have a drum roll, please!?

A TBS of Spice has expanded and it now includes my new online store that is filled will all sorts of handcrafted polymer clay items.

Growing up, my brother and I were often encouraged to spend time pursuing creativity. When I think of my childhood I think of playing outside, reading or listening to books, and hours upon hours of creative projects.

I rearranged my small bedroom regularly, I had multiple scrapbooks, I worked on latch hook rugs, I made maps from felted wool, and I practiced making clay buttons all while I listened to audio books or my mother reading.

I'm not sure who or what first sparked my dream of owning a small business for handcrafted items. Perhaps I took after my grandpa and was born a natural entrepreneur. Perhaps I wanted a larger purpose for my creations than just keeping them. Perhaps it was the thrill of a new challenge. I'm really not sure, but I definitely had a dream.

One year in particular that dream found a foundation. My mother packed my brother and I up for a six week trip to the Yukon Territory in Canada. We spent a delightful summer with Mom's best friend from college, Auntie Julie, and her family. We crafted and created and invented. We made everything from fancy bread and banana ice cream to purses repurposed from old sweaters. And then we spent every Thursday selling our final products at a farmers market on the banks of the Yukon River.

To this day some of my fondest memories can be found in that summer.

There have been many times since that I have thought of finding some craft I was really good at and making it into a tiny business. Even if that business were only a hobby, I still wanted to experience its thrill.

This summer, after being evacuated out of Peru and thrust into quarantine, I decided that if I didn't find the time now, I would never find the time.

I took hold of my dream. I ordered just enough materials to get me started. And I spent day after day creating.

I began making bookmarks, refrigerator magnets, earrings, necklaces, decorative pushpins, essential oil accessories, and more. I experimented with colors and textures.

One of several bookmark designs. This has been the most popular so far!

This was a custom order for hypo-allergenic earring studs!

Another custom order - I love how these turned out!

I have thoroughly enjoyed my huckleberry design, and I've incorporated it into several types of items. Pictured here are two types of refrigerator magnets and a pair of earrings. The Montana magnets have been very popular.

My first products were... EHH! They were not great! But, there were people who believed in me and supported me and for that I am entirely grateful.

I kept at it. I improved my designs. I learned techniques that helped my product's quality.

I started an Etsy shop. That was WAY more time consuming than I expected.

I set up a display in a local coffee shop. Mom and I used to go on Mama-Daughter dates to coffee shops. We would sip chai and coffee while we discussed the local artists on display.

I started a table at our local farmer's market. It's so fun to see dreams become reality.

And continuing into this fall I've been lucky to have professors who have allowed me to devote class projects towards developing my business.

I have had so much fun so far, and I'm looking forward to the developments that the Christmas season brings.

If you would take the time to click on the link at the bottom and check out my Etsy shop I would be SO EXCITED!

This venture has been largely possible because of the support I've received from the people in my life! It truly has been such a wonderful blessing.

So SPREAD THE WORD and enjoy the this holiday season. :D

Handcrafted Pieces from Polymer Clay by aTBSofSpice on Etsy

~TBS~