There is something wonderful about being around other people and sharing your story. Yesterday morning, I was invited to set up a pop-up shop in downtown Winston Salem, where I live, and the local support blew me away! I got to tell the story of each maker I am selling in our shop and teach how to use the items I have curated to support health in people's homes. Tons of people were asking when I plan to open a store, which allowed me to talk about my vision for a storefront space that I envision being used for self-care, wellness, and connection with the community. 

Today, I wanted to talk a bit more about the makers from around the world that I support through my shop.

 Photo credit: Minimum Design

Have you ever seen such a beautiful image? A couple of young designers in France, Mélisande and Philippe, started Minimum Design in 2016.  They use the magic of 3-D printing to create incredible sculptures, vases, and planters. Unlike subtractive manufacturing, which sculpts (removes) the material to create a final object, the principle of additive manufacturing is used by Minimum Design to build objects layer by layer, thus limiting waste. Moreover, they recycle wood, corn derivatives, and plastic materials to turn them into design objects. I am incredibly inspired by their pieces and excited to introduce them to your homes.

 Photo credit: Rune-Jakobsen Design

'Rune-Jakobsen Design' is located in a combined residence and workshop, beautifully situated far out in the countryside in northern Denmark. This wonderful couple bought their home in 1995 and practice a sustainable lifestyle while running their small company. They are the source of the original Greek Alexander Handmade Mills, based on a coffee mill that early 20th-century Greek soldiers used. They are handmade and manufactured with precise craftsmanship by a small, family-run company in northern Greece.

As we continue to build our inventory, I will keep you updated on all of the stories behind the products we carry. I hope that you find that these unique home products bring you joy and make you proud as you support incredible Black, woman-owned, and small businesses by shopping at our store.

To learn more about our vendors, check out my blog post on "A Hygge Approach to Fall."  In this blog, I talk about the Calm Joy Candle Company, a small, woman-owned business that provides amazing, vegan, and toxin-free candles in our store, and Slate and Salt, which provides the plush Turkish blankets and towels we provide. 

And again---THANK YOU, Winston Salem, for your support.