Introducing the Maker Spotlight

It's been a long time in the works, but we are finally officially launching our Maker Spotlight. What does this mean? Well, in addition to a Q & A on the blog, we will feature the maker of the month on our homepage and with special signage and display in the shop.

We have been working on this idea for over a year, and we are excited to roll it our with the first spotlight on Eko Kreations, a wonderful one woman company out of Truckee, CA specializing in eco friendly linens and home decor.

Enjoy our Q & A feature with Kristina of Eko Kreations.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in Sweden, on the beautiful west coast just north of Gothenburg. It’s a bare, raw granite coastline and, like most of Sweden, there were endless lakes and forests filled with fir and birch where we would camp in summer. My grandparents old farm was only a few hundred yards from our house and it was here that my grandmother taught me to hand embroider when I was very young. I learned how to make clothes from my mother and as a teen one of my favorite things to do was to go to the fabric store and spend hours touching fabrics and envisioning what I could make.

When did you start Eko Kreations?
I started in Jan 2013 with a small eco-friendly kids clothing line but turned into eco-friendly linens in May 2013 and has been that since.

Where do you find inspiration?
Nature. In many ways; I love to walk, hike and camp in the serenity of the peaceful outdoors, it brings me perspective, peace within and inspiration. Nature is also my choice of embroidery designs. The fabric I am using is eco-friendly, -one of my ways to care for the environment. My sewing machines are set up in front of a window so I'm constantly looking out over the pastures and hills in Sierra Valley, watching Longhorns, a deer family and lots of different birds. The colors and clouds throughout the day are beautiful and it brings that peace of nature inside, when spending 10 hour days in the studio.

What advice would you give someone wanting to start their own business? What have been the best and worst things for you in your business?

Go for it! Life gets so rich when one step out of the routine and the norm and opinions of others, and it is indescribable incredible to pursue your own dreams, goals and expression. I think the most important thing is to believe in yourself and what you do, and remember to have fun in the doing of it. Everyones business journey is different but believing in yourself and what you do will take you through both challenges and times of flow and ease. There is also a very nice community of small business owners out there and I think it is good to exchange thoughts and experiences, and I really enjoy listening to podcasts by business owners with small creative businesses, there is so much to learn and to recognize in your own journey.

Best things: I love what I do! -sewing, planning, being social at markets etc. I also love working at home and on my own time. Even though I have periods when I don't do anything else but work 12 hours/day 7 days a week, it is still so empowering to feel that I have the choice and flexibility of my time and life. It is also Very rewarding to know and feel that my customers appreciate and enjoy what I do!

Worst things: I wouldn't really call it "worst", but the challenges I have liked the least is finding employees that have the skill I require and shares my values. Also the logistics that takes more and more time the more I make/sell. I usually like calculating supplies, scheduling production, market applications, marketing etc but there are times where it takes more time than I'd like, that I'd rather spend on production or alike.

Who are some of your favorite makers/ small business owners?
Heather River of Bespoke, Krista Tranquilla of Krista Tranquilla Studio, Nicole and Delilah of Dear Handmade Life, Obi of Juniper Ridge, Rachel of MadeFreshly

There are so many wonderful people in the small creative business community, -I love that there is a community!