Meet Emma Lehman, a multidisciplinary creative. In her interview, Emma discusses her embroidery and plugs her most recent creative venture—custom-painted shoes. While Emma is in awe of people who are able to make their craft their main source of income, her priority is putting what she earns from selling
The digital edition of issue 7 is out! Flip through it now. Want to see it in print? Order single copies of Issue 7 through our print-on-demand printer. If you’re a print subscriber, your copy will be mailed out soon.
Meet Amanda R. Carlson Back in the early aughts, Amanda R. Carlson was hosting a house party for 30 people who didn't know each other and needed an icebreaker. She searched high and low for a good party game but only came across murder mysteries. "It was
Meet Alexandra Tinsley Alexandra Tinsley weaves her talents as an illustrator into retro-inspired designs. With a penchant for nature puns and vibrant patterns, Alexandra's work radiates charm. She sells unique pins, patches, stickers, and more in her online shop, Wild Hunt. Additionally, Alexandra specializes in creating brand identities
For artists like Kimberly Lavon, the struggle is real. Constantly on the move, her sketchbooks often become beat up and disorganized, a common frustration for artists, writers and anyone who carries around a notebook. “I was tired of dealing with damaged sketchbooks. I wanted something simple and effective to keep
Ann Chikahisa gives off an artsy, spiritual vibe, so it may surprise you that she worked in the corporate world for years before stepping into full-time jewelry design, creating bold, empowering pieces. Today, every piece of Chikahisa Studio jewelry is handmade with materials sourced from suppliers that prioritize sustainability and
Hello Alice, a platform dedicated to helping small business owners navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship with access to funding and resources, recently announced two initiatives to support creative entrepreneurs: the Creative Business Boost Initiative and Small Business Virtual Forum: Uplifting Creative Entrepreneurs. Creative Business Boost Initiative: Grants and Business Training
Become a Member and Receive Member-Only Benefits Love shopping small and supporting creative entrepreneurs? We do, too! Become a member of Artisan Joy and receive a special monthly newsletter with discount shopping codes from our featured artisans and small businesses. Membership is just $3 per month or $20 a year
Artist Michelle Pang designs eco-conscious art scarves and prints inspired by animals and plants. Her work celebrates uniqueness and biodiversity by featuring illustrations of rare wildlife, local flora and fauna and at-risk species. Learn more about Michelle and her brand Misheo in her interview with Artisan Joy. Where did your
In a recent survey commissioned by Faire, an online wholesale marketplace, Americans are committed to supporting their local economies in 2024. The research, conducted by Wakefield Research, reveals that consumers are willing to spend nearly $2,000 more in 2024 to ensure the survival and growth of their favorite local
WILMINGTON, Del.— Artisan Joy recently collaborated with the Greater Wilmington and Brandywine Valley Bureau (GWCVB) to produce a special edition of Artisan Joy magazine. The issue features 10 creative entrepreneurs from the region. In an email to Artisan Joy's editor, Courtney Haywood, M.Ed., director of public relations
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — For 14 years, Molly and Aurélien de St. André have poured their hearts into their handmade children’s clothing brand, Petit Pilou. The family-owned business recently suffered a devastating cyberattack, leaving them in dire need of support to keep their small company afloat. This spring, a sophisticated
The digital edition of issue 6 is out. Flip through it now. Want to see it in print? If you’re a print subscriber or want to order a single copy—the issue is currently at the printer. We’ll be sure to let you know as soon as it’
At Artisan Joy, we’ve always been passionate about celebrating and supporting creative entrepreneurs. Since our inception in 2021, we’ve had the privilege of featuring over 100 inspiring individuals, sharing their incredible stories and showcasing their remarkable talents. Today, we’re thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our
A heart-wrenching event changed Katrina Lloyd’s world forever. In 2017 she lost her sister Sherrie to domestic violence. While processing the devastating loss and finding a way to heal, Katrina sought a way to celebrate her sister’s life. Thinking back on her most cherished memories with Sherrie, Katrina
Nearly every time we interview a creative entrepreneur, we ask what advice they wish they’d gotten before starting their business. Here’s what they told us. Start small Several creative entrepreneurs mentioned beginning with a modest approach, evaluating the business concept, and proceeding with caution when expanding. “It’s
art
Bianca Valencia Criscuolo is a contemporary fine artist who works predominantly in oils, carving out a realm where creativity and conviction intertwine. When the artist isn’t taking her brush to canvas, she creates detailed pen-and-ink illustrations and also works in mixed media. For Bianca, pursuing art as a business
Where ink and meditation intersect, artist Carol Cannon weaves her intimate connection with the natural world into an expression of fine art. Carol’s craft embodies a fluid conversation between the creative force within and the tangible tools at her fingertips. From the sanctuary of her studio, Carol’s art
Once on a career path in criminal justice, Casey Norman realized her passion was something she learned in childhood—sewing. Today, the seamstress runs Altered Ego in Bismark, ND, which offers tailoring, alterations and garment restyling services. “I work on all types of clothing, but I’m most passionate about
Creative Entrepreneur
Candlemaker Gloria Young is the spark behind Hudson Avenue Company, a New England-based business. In her interview, Gloria shares her unexpected beginnings, noting the chance events that led her from making candles as a hobby to selling them in retail shops. Continue reading Gloria’s story below. How did your
Meet Tracy Mattson Baking is a craft that merges creativity and science, and few experiences compare to the first bite of a just-baked cookie. We spoke with Tracy Mattson, the founder of Cookie Take a Bite in Santa Rosa, Calif., about her culinary journey. Tracy didn’t always work in
Marrione Manalo is an Asian-American illustrator. She and her aunt, writer Fairlane Raymundo, are creating “Aswang,” an NFT graphic novel highlighting Asian mythology. According to Marrione, “Aswang” is the story of five young creatures who were disowned by their monster clans. In an effort to survive, they enroll in a
Madhuram Prabhakar discovered food blogging when she was experimenting with egg-free cooking and baking. “I had family members with dietary restrictions, and I was determined to create baked goods that everyone could enjoy,” Madhuram says. As the home chef experimented with various egg substitutes and baking techniques, she discovered her
Keva Epale is an art director, graphic designer and illustrator based in Paris. Her journey from working as a graphic designer in the cultural sector to starting her own business is inspiring. Keva Epale Studio, a hub for branding and storytelling, reflects the entrepreneur’s commitment to empowering her clients
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Artist Kay Collier, also known as Kathryn Hastings, revives the lost art of letter writing with her elegant collections of wax seals, stationery and letter-writing tools. Kay’s designs are ideal for personal and special-occasion correspondence, such as wedding invitations. With a keen eye for detail and a dedication to
artisanal food
Elisa Lyew was working as a pastry chef when she realized that restaurants offered few nutritious desserts, which gave her an idea. The chef began a side hustle, making pastries with wholesome ingredients and natural low-glycemic sweeteners. Today, she owns Elisa’s Love Bites, a dessert atelier in New York
Running a Creative Business
There’s a new online marketplace for artisans in town: Handmade.com. Although the site just launched this year, Handmade.com’s founders are industry veterans. They’re the same people who brought us the social-impact marketplace NOVICA. If you’re not familiar with the company, NOVICA helps artisans in
Creative Entrepreneur
Giving her guests cotton candy as a wedding favor intrigued Emily Harpel, but she found the options available at the time unappetizing. “It was honestly a little scary—clear packaging that didn’t look food safe with a giant red clown on it,” Emily said. She realized she had an
art
Ellen Jenny Watkins is a heart-healing abstract artist, author and certified coach who uses art and creativity for transformation and personal growth. Although being an artist entrepreneur was always in Ellen’s heart, she pursued a corporate career and stayed on the path for over two decades. Despite achieving success
Creative Entrepreneur
Founder Lucie Voves’ journey into the custom framing and art world began not with a business plan but with a sentimental search. Her company, Church Hill Classics, makes bespoke diploma frames, and it all started in her basement. Let’s hear from Lucie on her highly successful foray into handcrafted
Creative Entrepreneur
Have you ever felt as if your creative path was just meant to be? That’s precisely how Sonali Dixit feels about her foray into jewelry design. Growing up in Kathmandu, Nepal, a city famed for its rich artistic traditions, she was immersed in creativity practically from birth. “It’s
Merril Seidl is a collage artist and the brilliance behind More the Merrlier. Using tiny scraps of recycled magazines, the artist creates designs for greeting cards, puzzles and prints. Merril also creates original artwork and has written and illustrated two colorful children’s books. In her interview, Merril details her