๐ฉโ๐จ Behind the scenes workshop prep ๐จ Currently prepping for Camp Thundercraft where I'm super excited to instruct this year ๐ Tired of desk life and want to get some of that dirt life? Let's translate those feelings to color. Check out my upcoming watercolor & coaching workshops - Link in bio โจ.
We go Live ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ Monday with a maker, partner, wholesaler, someone we admire. This is who you can see ๐ in the month of ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ฅ. โ ๐๏ธ โ 4/3 we are talking to Michelle from @_youasananimal who will be coming to camp Friday ONLYโ ๐๏ธโ 4/10 we are talking with Liz from the fabulous shop @stocklistgoods โ ๐โ๐ฆบโ 4/17 we are talking with Delmith from @inventorahq which might just be the solution you are looking for!โ โฃ๏ธโ 4/24 we are talking with Ayanna from @alterego_exp who we talked with a few years ago so it will be so fun to hear what this family business has been up to!โ โ We'd โค๏ธ to see you!
This past Friday Heather came to my house and we worked on some stuff for #campthundercraft.โก๏ธ We made some ๐๐๐๐๐ for our campers and then worked on some ๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐จ for the tables. โ ๐. With only 3 of us, we don't always get much time together just making stuff! It was so nice to just spend 4hrs crafting, spitballing some ideas ๐ก and getting excited for camp!
Hi Crystal! First, can you please introduce yourself to our readers?โ ๐ชโ Hello! My name is Crystal Bodven , the owner and cookie artist of Crystallized Cookies @crystallizedcookies โ ๐ชโ Your cookies are beautiful. How did you start decorating cookies and realize you had a true talent for it?โ ๐ชโ I started decorating cookies in pastry school at South Seattle Community College and throughout the years, I had some little opportunities to make cookies for bakeries, family and friends. It was during 2020, I joined a Cookiers Facebook group that changed my life. The group consisted of monthly challenges, online video chats and a community that gave me the confidence to invest in myself.โ โ One late fall night in 2019, I started the @Crystallizedcookies instagram and posted some hearts and corn dog cookies. As I practiced more by posting Cookiers challenges, I became inspired to work with this medium. I realized that cookies were not just limited to icing, it was a canvas that can paint and create textures. I applied for a business license in Fall of 2020 and by March of 2021, Crystallized Cookies became a WSDA Cottage Food Operator/Bakery.โ ๐ชโ You do a lot of custom work. How do people work with you?โ Customs, holiday preorders and markets are a huge part of my business. Customs usually book up in a month or more in advance. People can reach out to me with their events and pictures of inspiration. When colors and designs are chosen, cookies are planned out and hand decorated over 3 or more days (depending on amount of details and number of cookies).โ It is an absolute joy when customers send me pictures of their cookies at their event. Being able to make someone's experience more memorable and special is one of the most rewarding things in life as a baker and artist.
๐ โ ๐ ๐ ๐น๐๐พ๐๐๐น๐ ๐ ๐ โ ๐! The deadline to apply for our first summer @gobbleupnorthwest event is coming up! You have until April 3rd to apply for this super fun event! Food trucks, amazing food purveyors from the PNW, and so much แดแแ! We can't wait!๐ Get your applications in ๐๐๐ ๐๐! (link in bio)
I (Kristen) have been out of making for a bit as my elbows hurt but I want to start with a ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ I haven't done yet just to get my ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ flowing. We stopped by #tinkertopia in Tacoma owned by @commander_rr and @ms_darcytinker the other day for some inspiration. It is a fantastic shop to help get you inspired to create! It is ALSO a great place to ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ extra craft supplies you have lying around. We can NOT recommend this place enough. I can't wait to get on my next project after picking up some items from them! YAY
Say hi to our friend @twinkiechan ! Twinkie is coming out to #campthundercraft this April! We can't wait! ๐ต Hi Twinkie! Can you let our readers know more about u? Iโm a ๐ธ๐๐๐ธ๐ฝ๐๐ ๐น๐๐๐พ๐๐๐๐ from San Francisco. I worked in book publishing first for a long time and then pursued my handmade business for almost a decade, crocheting fun food-themed accessories and starting a licensed lifestyle brand. I love bright, juicy colors and happy, nostalgic feelings. ๐ How did u start your crafty business? I started to make funny ๐จ๐๐๐ง๐ซ๐๐จ for myself, and then when I made too many to wear myself, I randomly decided to launch my own website. Iโm not a great business person and have always just followed my heart and my whims. I figure if I am happy, then I am able to spread that happiness, and thatโs the only place I can design from. ๐ฉ U also work at @creativebug , what is your role and do u have any advice for those that might be interested in working with u guys? My relationship with Creativebug started a long time ago when they approached me to teach crochet classes (which by the way I was terrified to do, but did it anyway because I thought it would be good for me). I instantly fell in love with their whole team and their whole vibe. I asked right there if they had any job openings hahahha even though I was also happily self-employed at the time and doing my own thing. Now I work full-time there as a content editor and artist coach. I ๐๐๐ก๐ฅ instructors plan and prepare their classes for months leading up to their filming week, and Iโm also on set with them to help them with whatever they need, from snacks to guidance on what to say next to making sure their hair doesnโt get wonky. Part of my job is also watching early versions of the edited classes to offer suggestions before they go live. For artists who are interested in working with us, we have a form on our website for submitting class proposals. Our editor in chief looks at all of these personally. Iโm not in charge of the selection process at all, but I would say that being an expert in your craft, having a signature style, and being comfortable in front a camera are all part of a great start!
You have 3๏ธโฃ more days to register for #campthundercraft! We are so excited that camp is right around the corner because it is one of our most favorite weekends of the ๐ฒ๐๐๐ซ. We couldn't do this without the support from our fabulous sponsors who make camp ๐๐๐๐๐ถ ๐๐ ๐๐ธ๐พ๐ถ๐ ๐with their beautiful products our campers may try or get in their swag bags OR win as a ๐ก๐ฃ๐๐ซ๐. We can't wait! Registration is open until March 25th so get on it! (Link in bio๐)
This past weekend I (Heather) went razor clam digging on the coast. It was a great time with my family! I packed up my supplies using a ton of bags I have collected over the years from various vendors such as @splashfabrics , @green_city_living and @torrainrecycledbags and my pupโs harness is from @pawcifinorthdesigns . I love getting stopped by strangers asking me where I got something! Just one of the things I love about supporting handmade businesses! What's the most useful product you have gotten at a UCU event? I use these bags ALL.OF.THE.TIME
Looking to hear more about the awesome scholarships with @businessimpactnw ? Watch this!
Say hello to Tyler, owner behind @elevenelevensauce . They will be with us for Edmonds Spring Fest May 13th! We did an interview with him for today so give him a warm welcome!โ ๐ฅโ Tell us about yourself and how you developed 1111 Sauceโ ๐ถ๏ธโ Like many others during the pandemic, I embarked on a project and created Eleven Eleven Sauce. Being a passionate food enthusiast, I enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, and my family has always appreciated the sauces that I create. Encouraged by their positive feedback, I decided to explore the possibility of bringing my sauce to the market. Developing the perfect recipe took some time, but I persevered, and now, I am immensely proud of the end result.โ ๐ฅโ Can you tell us about the different products and their different flavor profiles?โ ๐ถ๏ธโ Right now, we offer one type of hot sauce flavor called "Blazing Citrus," which comes in two different heat levels: mild and very hot. What sets our hot sauce apart is that it's made without vinegar and instead, it's based on grapefruits. This gives our sauce a distinctive flavor profile that can't be found elsewhere. The sweetness of the grapefruits and lemons provides a pleasant undertone, while the Serrano and Carolina Reaper Peppers deliver the bold and spicy kick. This is a truly unique sauce that gives you a truly unique experience. โ ๐ฅโ Where would you like to see your business in the next 2 years?โ ๐ถ๏ธโ Over the next two years, our objective is to expand our business and secure retail placement in stores while also scaling up to the point where we can hire a few employees. Additionally, we aim to increase our brand awareness, especially in our local area, so that our products are easily recognized by our target audienceโ ๐ฅโ Thanks for the chat Tyler! We look forward to seeing you soon!โ โ