Connect With Olympia Crafters Selling Handmade Goods Online

Kari Bryant creates handmade signs with her husband, Josh, for Bryant Sign Designs.
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By Amy Rowley

A few years ago, my mother gave me a present.  She handed me the gift with a disclaimer – “you don’t know how much you want this gift.”  Now, my mother is the queen of thoughtful, well-appointed gifts.  She researches and comes up with creative presents that are practical (for me) or glamourous (for my sister).  Rarely does she gift the same thing to multiple people, unless it’s truly a unique find and then she will figure out some way to customize the present.

Colleen MacDonald’s sewing studio is packed with supplies for her online and local craft business.

Given that back story, I was fairly confident that she would be right.  But… a sewing machine?  What?  I was a working mom with two small kids and had recently moved to rural Thurston County.  My “free” time was spent shuttling my kids, not changing thread in a sewing machine.  The last thing that I had sewn was a two-piece business suit for my first job interview – and I had sewn the arms on upside down.

But, clever Jane was right.  I love my sewing machine so much that my husband made me a table so that I could leave it out.  These days, I confine myself to sewing items that don’t really need to fit – lunch bags, snack containers, bibs, and superhero capes for my nephews.

Because I know the amount of time and effort that goes into creating handmade treasures, I appreciate local crafters but can’t always make it to craft fairs.  I lean towards internet handmade markets, such as etsy.com, to find unique gifts and treasures.

Colleen MacDonald (left) and Suzanne Wenner, of Mercy Me Designs, sell their handmade textiles at craft fairs such as Duck the Malls.

While pursuing etsy.com over Thanksgiving weekend, I had an epiphany – maybe you can search for local vendors that sell their wares through this handmade mecca.  And, sure enough, a quick search for Olympia, Washington and up popped crafters that live locally but sell their creations nationwide.

Meet local crafters, living in Olympia and selling through online handmade markets.  Strike up a conversation, make a purchase, and learn more about these individuals.

Colleen MacDonald and Suzanne Wenner – Mercy Me Designs

Colleen and Suzanne started their joint partnership making clothing and accessories from fine textiles such as organic merino wool, hemp, linen and cottons after reading an article about the factory working conditions in Thailand.  Horrified by the description, the duo felt compelled to offer clothing and goods using textiles from companies paying people a living wage, offering healthy working environments, and using fibers that can be returned to the earth.

Both Colleen and Suzanne work out of their homes, “carving out little ‘hovels’ from which to cut and sew.”  They credit their families for tolerating the expansion into their family’s living spaces.

Locally, you can find Mercy Me (and Colleen’s second business BCharmer Designs which  emphasizes “accessories for the stylish tomboy) at handmade local markets such as Make Olympia and elementary schools.

Kari Bryant – Bryant Sign Designs

Kari Bryant creates handmade signs with her husband, Josh, for Bryant Sign Designs.

Josh and Kari Bryant operate their namesake business creating handmade wood and vinyl customized signs.  Josh handles the wood working side of the business and Kari manages the design.

“I purchased a vinyl machine on a whim and just crossed my fingers that it would go well,” describes Kari when asked how she developed her craft business.  Like most crafters, she started by making signs for family and friends until word quickly spread.

Kari added craft fairs and bazaars after selling online for about a year.  “The response to my work was fantastic and it’s great to be out in the community, meeting new people, both customers and vendors,” she explains.

After moving her office to an upstairs loft space in her home, Kari is enjoying the extra space and trying to reign in her creative side and finish a project before starting a new one.

Laura Martin – Laura Lee Designs

An Army wife originally from a small town in southern Georgia, Laura moved to Washington this year.  Describing her business as a “fun mix of handmade baby items and jewelry,” Laura creates products such as travel wipe cases, diaper pouches, pacifier leases, and a wide variety of other accessories.

An example of baby products crafted by Olympia resident, Laura Martin for Laura Lee Designs.

With the benefit of operating her business in a spare bedroom, Laura has set up her sewing machine, monogramming machine and cutting boards.

During her husband’s deployment, Laura kept busy selling her crafts online.  She intends to research craft fairs and local retailers after the holiday season.  Recently, she had a customer ask to meet her to pick up her items and enjoyed the interaction.

“Our customers enable us to follow our passion in life, and it is such a wonderful thing.  Handmade items seem more personal, especially when given as gifts,” remarks Laura who adds that she loves custom orders and fulfilling a customer’s vision for the product.

“Buying handmade goods from local crafters is a way to help support them while getting a unique item for yourself or a gift,” summarizes Kari.

I am a hobby sewer, using the drone of the machine as an escape from pressures of daily life.  I am impressed with these entrepreneurs who enjoy their craft so much that they want to share it with others.

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