Meeting kind people with diverse creative interests is hard sometimes so this February we’re helping everyone match up and make new friends with Match + Maker. As a community we are pairing up makers and making matches all around the world, meet our first 10 makers here & submit your own profile to play. Now it’s time to play Round 2 and meet the next 10 submissions to our month of matchmaking!
How to Play Match + Maker:
- Visit Match + Maker Round 1 and Round 2 to make new friends by following each other, reaching out on social media, or by email to say hi or arrange a meet up if you find a local match.
- Pair people up by suggesting a match in the comments or make an introduction by email or social media!
- Don’t forget to submit your own profile for round three of Match + Maker next week.
New to Springfield, MO
Danielle Begnaud | @happyguppytoys | FB | Email | Springfield, Missouri, USA
About: I opened my crochet toy business in Austin, Texas last year and have really enjoyed making and learning new things everyday. My husband and I moved to Springfield, Missouri this February.
Seeking: Looking for anyone who is interested in crafts, has or plans to have a business of their own, and/or would like to make a new friend.
Loves: I love fiber art. I care about animals, especially my dog. I value people who are optimistic and open to new experiences.
Makes: I crochet little toys from my apartment. I like to make little animals and greeting cards.
Match: Someone who is excited about life and striving to reach their goals, but who can also laugh about it along the way.
Finding Inspiration from Little Things
Kat | FB | Email | Milwaukee, WI, USA
About: Hi! I’m Kat! Creator & Designer of SimplistiCreations, inspiration activist, baker, lover of all antique things and coffee.
Seeking: Fellow crafters and makers for support and exchange creative ideas on new DIY projects and or social media promotion.
Loves: Art of any medium, coffee, colorful pens, small local shops and coffee, hosting parties, baking, talking and meeting with other creatives.
Makes: I currently make lasercut jewelry, delicious cupcakes, hand painted canvases, hand cut quote wall art. But I’d like to further explore silkscreening!
Match: Dedicated to communication + willing to collaborate on projects, lover of DIY inspirations.
London Accessories Designer Looking to Share Ideas
Dolapo James | @urbanknit | FB | Email | United Kingdom
About: I am a London based accessory designer. I make bags, scarves and cushions in bright colours and prints. My business is mainly online via my website and from my stores on Etsy and Not on the Highstreet.
Seeking: Anyone who is looking to bounce ideas around, share information about events and reliable vendors and suppliers, maybe even take part in a pop-up or two.
Loves: I love bright prints, interesting textiles, graphic design, funky fonts, pattern and pretty anything relating to design and how it can be used to improve everyday life.
Makes: I make home and fashion accessories in bright prints.
Match: Someone who also runs a handmade business in the accessories category who was willing to share ideas about events, reliable vendors, opportunities etc.
Free-spirited Chicagoan Stationer Seeking Likeminded Makers
Emily Asher | @emilyroseink | FB | Email | Chicago, IL, USA
About: Thoughtful, artistic, dog-and-coffee-loving paper enthusiast who loves watercolor and works by day as a high school English teacher.
Seeking: Anyone looking for creative collaborations; other makers in Chicago; fellow encouragers and creatives.
Loves: Beauty and style, love, music, animals, family, friendships, city dwelling and books.
Makes: I make invitations, greeting cards, and gifts, and I also do freelance illustration/branding/lettering!
Match: A fellow maker who wants to collaborate or be an accountability partner, someone with experience doing craft shows who can give me some good pointers and tips!
Consciously Crafting to Make You Smile!
Natalie Chickee | @Chickee | FB | Email | Montreal, Quebec, Canada
About: I’m a Metis Artist/ Jewellery designer and I create handmade jewellery with semi-precious stones, crystals and beads from all over the world.
Seeking: Friendships, Business Relationships, Artistic relationship.
Loves: Being Ethical, Harmony, Peace, Joy and Gladness. Gemstones, Nature and Family.
Makes: I make jewellery.
Match: Fun, those who value operating with integrity and genuinely themselves. Joyful.
Creative Professional Mom Seeks Same
Lauren Venell | @lvenell | FB | San Francisco, CA, USA
About: Sr. Visual Designer at a tech startup with my own creative business on the side. Mom to a spirited 1.5 yo girl. Teacher of financial topics to other creative professionals. Loyal friend.
Seeking: Other (creative) professional moms, especially those who work FT or outside the house but want to do their own thing someday. Happy with someone local or a far-flung pen pal.
Loves: A challenge, honesty, humor and hustle. I want to be fulfilled while being present for my family and making the world a little better than I found it. Is that possible?
Makes: Mostly 3D things like props, sculptures and products, as well as financial classes for other creatives. Beginning to dabble in illustration and infographics. Graphic designer at my day job.
Match: A like-minded mom who is still figuring it all out but remains undeterred. Willing to open up and talk about the tough stuff. A booster and a confidante. Let’s be each other’s mentors!
Seeking Handmade Minded Folks
Kayleigh Small | @nestingdollkay | FB | Email | Buffalo, NY, USA
About: I love to take old unwanted items, and breathe new life into them. Figuring out my business and the next steps while drinking too much coffee and paying far too much attention to my dog.
Seeking: Business related – other crafty and handmade minded folks. Personal -I love knitting and crocheting and would love someone to share that with.
Loves: I love my husband, and our little family (2 cats and dog). I love working with my hands and creating new beautiful things. I deeply value my relationships and try very hard to nurture them.
Makes: I make leather goods and handbags out of recycled materials.
Match: Someone who has experience or is experiencing handmade marketplaces who understands my concerns/questions and we can grow and learn from one another.
Calling all Makers!
Sara Price | @whymbags | FB | Email | Schenectady, NY, USA
About: Hello! I’m a lifelong sewer and crafter. I work from my home studio full time. I am passionate about exploring the world around me in search of inspiration for my designs and to enjoy life everyday
Seeking: I would love to meet other makers/entrepreneur’s to bounce around ideas with & talk about the triumphs/struggles of selling handcrafted items. Craft buddies. Mentors. Fellow explorers.
Loves: Taking the time to live life to it’s fullest. Friendships and quality relationships. Finding enjoyment in my daily work. Free time. Reading. Crafting. Being inspired.
Makes: Proud owner and designer of Whym, handcrafted leather handbags & accessories. I design from bags, passport covers, valets, flasks, etc! Personally – knitting, DIY for the home, sewing, anything new!
Match: Someone who is creative, enjoys a good conversation, and likes to try new crafts to get inspiration. A motivator and collaborator. Exploring buddy.
Creative in Quebec
Kara Needham | Email | South Bolton, Quebec, Canada
About: Creator of Savonnerie de L’Estrie, a very small natural soap and lotion making company, longtime folk artist and administrative member of Farfelu, an artists cooperative in Sutton Quebec.
Seeking: I’m open to any kind of match, especially other mentoring soap makers who have been able to expand their businesses, and artists, website designers, small business promoters.
Loves: I care most about my three adorable daughters, and my husband when he’s not driving me crazy…. The rest of my family, Folk art, England, reading, walking, positive environmental stories, vegetarianism.
Makes: I make all natural skincare products, all featuring labels of paintings I’ve done specifically for them, the soaps each have a picture of a different scene or landmark in the eastern townships of Que.
Match: Someone willing to share ideas, enjoys talking about recipes and designs and websites and all the things that make my family’s eyes glaze over… Anyone really.
SuperCrafty Sewing Star looking for the rest of my Constellation
Karen R LePage | @onegirlcircus | Email | USA
About: I’m a mom to 4 kids and a puppy nestled in between Detroit and Ann Arbor. I sew everyday, and help my favorite fabric designers bring their garment ideas to life.
Seeking: I would love to meet local people with whom I can geek out about multi-crafting (sewing crochet, knitting, weaving, painting, paper crafts, crafting with children) and laugh. Lots of laughing.
Loves: I value children, animals, our world, sustainable manufacturing, local economies, spreading lovingkindness and teaching people to make their favorite clothes.
Makes: I make whatever I can think of. If I don’t know how, I learn how. I make friends. I make vegan food. I make time for what’s important in life.
Match: My ideal match will challenge me, craft with me, teach me, play with me, and drink tea with me.
Now it is your turn! Make your February friendly by playing matchmaker and getting to know these lovely people by checking out their links and saying hi. I have already fallen a little bit in love with everyone who has submitted and am so excited to meet new friends from near and far. We’ll be back soon for Round 3 so be sure to submit if you want to play!
