As my book NO PLACE LIKE HOME can attest to - I grew up in a small town in New England where home and family meant a great deal - where there was a sense of community and also it was a place where people were hard workers and were simply pursuing their own American dream.
I suppose that background is what inspires and influences my work today as a designer, photographer and writer. ?All about keeping it real - with an eye on how real families live in this day and age - but also with a foot backwards into how it used to be when times were a bit easier or less hectic. ?Finding a balance between the two - I suppose - or maybe keeping an eye out for the reminders of what it's all about as we strive to find that balance.
This brings me to today's posting with its heart-felt message to it - in light of all that has gone on this past weekend...
We need all need those simple reminders and visuals that things will be okay...Sometimes it's just simple words - but those words can be so powerful...
I recently met a family that is pursuing their own American dream...creatively. ?I love their story of a simple, old-fashioned way of bringing something to life...An idea they are passionate about that has become their family business. ?A business that is spreading bits of joy and ones that remind us of what it is all about as we all strive to find that balance in life. ?At the same time, they are raising a family and creating a home that it is good to all of them. ?All great examples of people that are doing good in our world today. ?Those are the kind of stories I love and those are the kind of American-made companies and products I love spreading the word about. ?
I will be sharing a project with you in the coming weeks that I have photographed that will feature some of their products - but I thought that today of all days was a fine day to introduce you to this family and their products for your own home and beyond...
I recently chatted with the owners of Between You & Me - Tara and Andy Lowry. ?They are sign makers (among many other things) and fellow-bloggers... They are fine examples of those seeking to find the balance I talked about at the start of this posting - I urge you to support their creative endeavors...
What was your inspiration for creating the signs?
I'm a words girl...always have been. ?
I wanted to create a family rules sign for our home that would remind us what we're about as a family....what our mission is and how we want to love and honor one another. ?I blogged about it, and we had people email us wondering if we would make them one. ?The business started from there...we set up a paypal account and gave my readers a link to it on the blog. ?
We successfully and consistently sold signs each month for over a year. ?This past March, we opened our Etsy store, and it has doubled, and some months tripled, our monthly sales.
We stand amazed!!
What do you hope the signs will do for other people/homes?
Our hope is that the signs will help other families sit down together and think through their own missions as they contemplate what their core values are. ?It moves you to action to have a constant reminder hanging in your home...it draws you back into the heart of your family.
We love giving people the opportunity to customize their signs..whether they choose to do the family rules sign or a favorite quote or scripture that brings hope, peace, joy to them.
You are a creative family - do you create these signs together?
Yes...we do create the signs together. ?Andy administrates all the communication with customers, creates their templates and waits on their approval before starting production. ?He also keeps us stocked with our supplies each week. ?Tara markets our products through her blog, Pinterest and our Etsy store. ?She stages the signs in our home.
We do most of our production on Fridays, and the whole family is involved. ?Our kids love being out there with us, and we have been amazed at how this business has drawn us closer together. ?We spend HOURS in our garage each week together, and it produces wonderful conversations between us. ?We're always amazed at the things that come up while we're working.
How has having your products on Etsy helped your brand and how you reach people?
It seems to be a collective effort between Etsy, Pinterest and our blog in marketing our products. ??
What's next for you guys creatively?
We stumbled into this business, so we're continually talking about where to go next. ?
People can learn from you and your wonderful blog - see your home - your family...What is the best part of doing what you love and getting up every morning for you?
I started my blog as a creative outlet. ?It gave me an avenue to actively work on things I love...writing, connecting with people, and capturing beauty in pictures. ?It's evolved over the course of my journey. ?It's forced me to learn more about my camera, to practice my writing skills, and to learn how to better juggle family life with a hobby. ?
I never dreamed that I'd have a chance to use words, which mean so much to me, to create something for others' homes. ?Andy and I LOVE working together creatively. ?We both enjoy designing all the elements of our own home, and it makes it all the more special to help others as they process their goals and dreams and visions for their families.
With?holidays coming up - any traditions you started with your own children you can share?
Andy and I started exchanging ornaments our very first Christmas...16 years ago! ?It has been fun to continue that tradition with our children. ?It'll be fun to send them into their own families one day with a box or two full of beautiful, sentimental ornaments.
A couple of other things we enjoy doing each year...
We pile into the car to drive through neighborhoods to look at the Christmas lights, we always watch a few old Christmas movies, we love going to a Christmas Eve service at our church, and we LOVE waking up on Christmas morning, opening gifts and then heading to a Waffle house for a big breakfast. :) ?I know it sounds cheap, and we never really meant for it to turn into a tradition, but our kids wouldn't let us miss it at this point. ?
It's a great time of year to say what you want to say to your family and your friends. ?Especially now at this moment. ?A sign can remind you and your family of the good, simple things in life... A sign can be a reminder, a guide, a beacon - a visual to uplift you in our crazy world. ?A custom sign can take it one step further - taking something you love and making it even more special...naming your home, a special spot or paying tribute to someone you love. ?
Please visit their Etsy Store here: ?
Also, to be inspired - visit their wonderful blog: ?
Source: http://stephensaint-ongeblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/heart-warming-family-business-creative.html
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