- What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?
There are so many talented makers in the natural soap, bath and body category that we count on our unique packaging to catch the consumer's eye. We just introduced our newly designed packaging this spring. We made a dramatic shift to high gloss black PET bottles, jars and pumps. The new packaging, all recyclable, is rich looking, gender neutral, and complements most bathroom décor. In addition, Spinster Sisters has opted to offer its 8.5 oz. body butter in a vintage style letterpress printed compostable and recyclable box. While we traditionally operate under a "less is more" philosophy when it comes to packaging, the addition of the box enhances the body butter's selling position as a gift item and offers unique color coded labels which easily identify the product's unique essence. For example, pink for rose, purple for lavender, red for peppermint tea tree.
- What sort of things inspire you? Where do you look for inspiration?
My fellow creative makers inspire me. I have met so many amazing and talented crafters, makers, artists and all around great people through my years selling at indoor and outdoor markets, festivals, and fairs. Their enthusiasm and support for this way of life keeps me motivated and creating new products for my business. My husband, Craig, is not only the love of my life, but my true source of inspiration and support for the path I have chosen. I would be remiss not to mention the example my parents set for me as a child. They have worked their entire lives to give all six of us the strength and fortitude to take on this sometimes daunting task of running our own businesses. Last, nature, the rugged Colorado mountains, beautiful vistas, hiking and biking all provide a source of inspiration and serve to reenergize me.
- When do you feel the most creative?
About 2am, when I am trying to sleep! I can come up with all kinds of amazing, and far-fetched ideas in the middle of the night. Which, of course, does not at all help me to fall back asleep. I want to get up and create. My husband has come down and find me elbows deep in a new product formulation at 3am before. He just rolls his eyes and goes back to bed.
- What is your creative process like?
A lot of research, a lot of making, testing, and remaking formulas, a lot of using my friends and family as “Guinea Pigs” to help test and refine the formulas, and a lot of playing with packaging and labels.
- Where can we learn more about you?