Shop Spotlight: Persimmon Pearl

Meet Cyndie Jarrett of Persimmon Pearl from Bristol, Connecticut.

"I have always been making things, I love to do all things from scratch. I'm kind of a purist that way. My grandmother taught me so many things, coming from the Ukraine, she did everything from scratch. I mean growing the flax, picking it, spinning it, weaving it...amazing! I still have a cloth that she wove when she was 16 years old! I love that kind of thing, history, art, antiques. Because of her, I love all fiber arts, as mentioned below.

"I am an avid gardener, animal lover/ dog trainer, bookkeeper (don't know where that came from!), I am passionate about life and an all or nothing kind of girl. Because I am a tree hugging, birkenstock wearing hippie type, I am all about being eco-friendly, and am obsessive about living life as naturally as possible. I have chemical sensitivities which is somewhat limiting, but even before that, I have always been a nature lover, label reader, and anti- chemical in just about everything.

Those are just the highlights of me, but like Shrek, I am like an onion....so many layers!!!

I am a self taught...well pretty much everything! I love fiber arts, have been sewing, quilting, weaving, spinning, knitting, crocheting, rug hooking, braiding etc, for many years. About 12 years ago I started making jewelry, stones, sterling silver, beads and such, with my daughters, we mostly did home parties. When they didn't have time anymore, I put jewelry making on the back burner for a little while. Then I just couldn't stop thinking about new designs, kept a pad and pencil by my bed, you know the feeling! At the urging of family and friends, I decided to go off on my own as Persimmon Pearl, and opened an Etsy shop. I was invited to the Whole Foods farmers market, and did a few other shows, which is opening up another world to me.

I am inspired by so many things, colors, patterns, designs, something vintage. But what I often find inspiring is a certain stone, or bead, or chain, then right away I get an idea for it, I never know though, exactly where it will take me. I am not a neat creative person, I try to be organized, but that usually doesn't happen. I tend to start many projects at once, especially when ideas are flowing, and try to keep those components together, or put it in my creative journal, then when I might not be as much on my game, there it is!!! This seems to work for me, even though it may be messy at times!

The most exciting thing so far in all this, is I have finally been able to take jewelry/metalsmithing classes since January 2015. Something I have always wanted to do. So the adventure continues....

See more of Cyndie's work in her Etsy shop

or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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Craft Show Etiquette: Vendors Edition

 photo by Treefort Naturals

Summer is the start of the market season, where artisans, makers, farmers, and food vendors make their way out into public spaces to share their goods.  Visiting markets is a great way to spend a day out: the food is good, the sights are different, and there is usually a great community vibe.

It's especially important for vendors to mind their P's and Q's while at a craft fair- being a bad neighbor or a pesky participant can look bad on your business.  Our Nutmeg Collective members and friends have come up with a list of their biggest vendor-related pet peeves while at events.  (And yes, all of these things really did happen.)

1. Do not attempt to set up early.  Event planners have a set load-in time for a reason- one of which is that they have to wake up and get there earlier than you to get done the last-minute things you don't think about.  Be respectful and don't think showing up an hour early is okay.

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2. Do not ask to change spaces.  A lot of planning goes into setting up an event so that similar products are not near each other and to accommodate special requests.  Think of your asking to move as knocking over the first domino.

3. Don't hog your neighbors' space.  Once you find where you are, stay within your given space.  Everyone is paying for the space they have, and you don't have the right to try and edge out a little more.

4. Be ready when the show starts.  No one should be hustling in 20 minutes before the show starts to set up, even if your display is easy-peasy.  Be professional by being set up at least 15 minutes before the show starts.  Plus, you never know when an early buyer (usually another vendor!) might come by.

Just don't, even if you're as handsome as this guy. (source)

5. Don't smoke.  Even if you are sitting in the space you paid for or in the walkway or whatnot.  Your smoke is likely annoying your neighbors, and perhaps the customers, too.

6. Don't endlessly chat up your customers.  Saying hi or letting them know you are there to help is great, but give them a chance to look at things without barraging them with chit-chat they may not care about.  You may be driving away a sale.

7. Don't endlessly complain about what a bad day you're having.  No one wants to be next to the drag who feels the need to dump on the show, the customers, the weather, and so on.

8. On the flip side, don't brag about the totally awesome day you're having.  If you are having an awesome sales day, that's great!  But your neighbor might not be so try and be respectful of their feelings.  It's easy to neutrally say, "Today's been okay."

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9. Don't read, talk on the phone, or text your friends.  It's such a turnoff to customers and co-vendors who may want to talk to you.  If you are stuck to your book or your technology, you are missing an opportunity to talk to those interested in your product and your business.  Don't close yourself off.

10. Don't leave early.  While it's okay to start putting things away 5 or 10 minutes before the show is done if it's dead quiet, it's another thing to pack up an hour before you're supposed to.  Leaving early leaves a hole in the overall display, making the show look poorly set up.  Think about your hosts.

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11. Clean up your space.  No one wants to throw away your coffee cup/snack plate/other accumulated trash that you've produced while at a show.  Find the nearest trash barrel and pick up after yourself.

Being a nuisance to buyers can mean a loss of sales and event planners may get you blacklisted from future events.  Always remember that you are a business and need to put your most professional face on while out in public.  And make sure to check out our tips for craft show buyers!

What other craft show pet peeves would you like to share?  Tell us in the comments!

Kristen Skelton of Milo and Molly is a self-taught sewist, Kristen who runs her business while staying at home with her two small children.  Fueled by an endless supply of tea, she sews late into the night when the house is quiet, most often accompanied by her faithful poodle, Casey.  Stop by and see her collection of bold modern accessories and home goods.

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | miloandmollyshop@gmail.com 

Nutmeg Pets: Casey

Six-year-old standard poodle and Chief Napping Officer at Milo and Molly.

Local Love: Sara Zinn Photography

Meet Sara Zinn and take in her beautiful photographs.  "I opened my business, Sara Zinn Photography, a couple years ago. It started as a side business and I catered to mostly my friends and family. For many years, I had worked at a high volume portrait studio, unsure if I wanted to bite the bullet and pursue my OWN photography business.

This past January, I made the decision (with the support of my loving husband) to move on from my job at the studio and dive into my business for myself! More and more clients were finding my business (not just family and friends anymore!) which helped fuel my decision.

I am a newborn, children, and family portrait photographer! I offer a few different types of portrait sessions, but my favorite, and my specialty are styled sessions for kids! My styled sessions (I call them Whimsy sessions!) are sessions designed with the child in mind. It's built and created around their interests, personality, imagination, daydreams, favorite stories, favorite color, etc! I began offering these sessions because I realized more and more clients wanted props in their sessions. I saw other photographers offering styled sessions, which are great, but I wanted to do things a little differently, kick it up a notch! I wanted to offer my clients a truly unique, customized portrait with a theme built around their child and who they were at that age!

I offer products such as Canvas wraps (my favorite product to sell!), Custom image boxes, Albums, Framed prints, Digital files, and Gift prints. My goal is to give my clients amazing products that they can enjoy for years to come!

I knew that to run my own business I would spend more time on the "business" side of things, rather than taking portraits (which is my favorite part of the job), but I never really knew how time consuming it would really be! When you are the one and only employee, the many tasks of running a business can become daunting, especially when you first open your business (building your brand, figuring out your workflow, and promoting yourself!). What has helped me with these challenges is to talk and network with other seasoned business owners! They give the best advice because they have already encountered those challenges!

I recently began working with a designer for my styled sessions (The lovely Alonda from Designer Dwellings!) and it's been a blast brainstorming and coming up with session ideas with her! We recently styled an Alice in Wonderland session, you can check it out on the blog, http://www.sarazinnphotography.com/blog/2015/6/1/alice-in-wonderland-a-whimsy-session-connecticut-childrens-photographer

Every couple of months or so, we have mini session events, or 'mini whimsies!' These are smaller styled sessions, designed with a specific theme. The most recent session was our Superhero Themed Mini Whimsy event on July 19, 2015, at Northwest Park in Windsor!"

For more information about sessions, recent sessions, and events, 

please visit www.sarazinnphotography.com

Email: sarazinnphotography@gmail.com

Phone: 860.306.7210

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Nutmeg Newsletter: Let's Connect!

The Nutmeg Collective is looking forward to some big things in the second half of 2015, one of which is our brand new newsletter!  Get local goodness right in your inbox: all you have to do is sign up here:

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August -- September Shows and Markets with Nutmeg Collective Members

We've rounded up events and dates through the end of September for shows and markets where you can find our Nutmeg Collective members. Read on, click links and hope to see you there!

August 15

Chronogram Block Party on Wall Street between John Street and Main Street in Kingston, NY, featuring DiGiJewels.

August 15-16
SoNo Arts Celebration featuring Doug Hockman Photography.

August 23 

Colchester Farmers' Market featuring  Milo and Molly and Treefort Naturals. 

August 24 

Farmer's Market at Whole Foods Market on Mondays at Raymond Rd. featuring Nutmeg Naturals and Rhymes With Smile.

August 30

Wadsworth Mansion Open Air Market featuring Nutmeg Naturals and RiverDog Prints.

September 7
Coventry Regional Farmers' Market featuring Rhymes With Smile.

September 12-13
Suffield on the Green featuring Milo and Molly and QueenVanna Creations.

September 19-20

Arts and Crafts on Bedford featuring Doug Hockman Photography.

Simsbury Woman's Club Arts & Crafts Festival featuring Milo and Molly, RiverDog Prints and QueenVanna Creations.

Productivity with the 1-3-5 Rule

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Being your own boss has many benefits, but controlling your productivity relies solely on you. Everyone has a different method that works to keep tasks, big and small, in mind. Some of you may still be searching for that method, so I am sharing the one that works for me.

I have a weekly meeting with a fellow creative business woman where we discuss all things business in our lives and how our jobs relate to our families and the time we have to make things happen. She suggested this 1-3-5 method from The Muse and I have been using and loving it for almost a year.

I usually write 2 lists: one for business and one for personal. I try to write them the night before, but my brain definitely works better in the morning, so I generally create my tasks early in the day.  Some days are more ambitious than others and a task or two can carry over into the next day (or the next!) The daily list-making of both large and small TO-DOs keeps my business and personal responsibilities easier to accomplish.

Do you have a method that keeps you productive and sane? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!

Cyn Thomas is the illustrator, designer and pattern maker of RiverDog Prints. Her paper goods and gifts are guided by earth, animals, function, food and cocktails. You can also find Cyn canning in her kitchen, walking her dog, being outnumbered by her boys and husband or reading herself to sleep.
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | woof@riverdogprints.com