"Outside the Box" How We Started
Our second studio!
how we started
How we got started teaching DIY Workshops and then ultimately running a successful online storefront.
This is always the very first question we get asked and it is one of my favorites!
Back in 2015 we had the opportunity to teach Sign Painting at our local Hobby Lobby. We were grateful for the opportunity to test the waters of our area and see if this was something people would be interested in doing.
All set up for our very first Sign Painting Workshop at Hobby Lobby in 2015.
Lucky for us, it was VERY well received, so we found a teeny tiny closet sized 300 sq. foot space for $500 a month so we could teach private parties.
We painted the walls, built tables for the first time, held our breath and crossed our fingers.
I think it’s important to note that my husband and I took a Wood Shop class in Middle School together, and that was about the extent of our woodworking experience but we somehow made it work!
It was all very “figure it out as you go” and this was the beginning of the spirit of our business.
Our family of 3, before we were a family of 4.
Tables… check! Bar stools… check! Paint…check! Let’s do this!
Needless to say, we quickly outgrew our shoebox that we put SO MUCH love into. We were able to find another storefront slightly larger and down the street!
Increased rent meant another leap of faith, but we took it!
A sweet mini maker crafting in our second studio. Photo Credit: Esha Hart Photography
We went all out for our one year anniversary celebration and we had a TEAM!
We even celebrated out 1 Year Milestone birthday in this shop!
Then we quickly outgrew that space! If you’ve lost track, it was 6 months in the first studio, 6 months in the second studio, and then we landed our final Tacoma Studio where we stayed for 3 incredible years.
Our third and final Tacoma studio. we closed these doors in january 2021. Photo credit: Esha Hart photography
During our time in the last Tacoma Studio, we also opened a Seattle location that we ended up selling.
Then Covid happened! More on that to come!
Thank you for following us on our new Blog Journey!
-Your Crafty Friend Jolie