02/29/2016
So excited for my first show of the year, Green With Indie Craft Show on March 12. I answered a few questions for an artist profile, and here it is!!
GET READY TO MEET YOUR MAKERS! Check out our first Five Questions artist profile with Elizabeth Hahn of Just Liv and Philomena + Ruth! We asked her Five Question about her art, inspiration, and business:
1. What got you started?
I’ve been making things since I was a wee little one. My mom is a seamstress, so she always had a plethora of scrap fabrics, buttons, ribbons, glue guns, plastic google eyes, the plastic heads of Cabbage Patch Dolls…..you know, just the usual things. I’ll never forget organizing my mom’s vintage button collection over and over again. They smelled of vinegar and were stored in old glass prescription bottles from my Grandma. I used to drape dresses directly onto my dolls and hand stitch them into place, and eventually started making my own clothes and special occasion dresses. My handmade accessories business, Just Liv, started in 2007 after becoming disenchanted with my corporate job. I needed to bring back my creative outlet, so I started with clothing, but eventually decided to focus on accessories.
2. What is your favorite part of the maker process?
When that moment hits you. A grand new idea that you just can’t wait to get started on. You sit down in your studio, music blaring, cat napping nearby, losing track of time. Finally, the completed project, just as you imagined. Do a little jig, high five your cat, take a picture and send it to everyone you know who will get excited with you. Now THAT’S the stuff, right there!
Who inspires you?
3. How is what you're doing now different than what you did three years ago?
Three years ago, I was hustling like a maniac, doing every craft show and music festival I could and selling at several boutiques. I was travelling all across the country, having a blast doing it, but feeling like I was hit by a bus almost every day! I was making a little bit of everything, focusing mostly on boho festival wear, turbans, and using vintage/repurposed materials. Now, I’ve slowed down on doing so many shows because I’m focusing on my store, Philomena + Ruth! My husband and I sold our house so that we could buy a 100 year old building in downtown Waterloo. We live in the apartment above the shop, and I have a huge new studio for my Just Liv work! Now that it’s a new year, I’m working on streamlining my Just Liv offerings. I’m doing fewer styles, focusing on hand dyed fabrics, and making a push to sell more wholesale.
4. What's next?
I’ve added t-shirts and lyric posters to my selection, which I’m pretty pumped about! It’s the perfect way to combine my love of design and music. I’ll be launching my new online shop soon, which will feature my original designs as well as a few select offerings from other vendors that I carry in my store. I’m also taking on a larger role in my community. My store is in the heart of downtown Waterloo, and there’s a resurgence of downtown going on right now. There are 2 microbreweries opening up in the coming months, and a grain to glass distillery that opened this past summer. Together, we are working on rebranding our shop local program and making a push for Waterloo to be your next favorite day/weekend getaway! I can’t wait for you all to experience my adorable little town! It’s only 20 miles from downtown STL!
5. What will you be bringing to Green With Indie Craft Show?
I’ll be bringing my new line of t-shirts and extended selection of lyric posters featuring my own photography. As well as hand dyed head wraps, tote bags, multi-function scarves, and a few western inspired accessories! (She says as Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings blasts from her speakers)
Make sure you follow Elizabeth on Instagram as and and come see her at Green With Indie Craft Show!
