How They Were Born (And Other Beautiful Accidents)
The Fabric Magnet: A Beautiful Disappointment
Honestly, this magnet was a total accident born from a pile of 'failed' projects. I had bought muslin fabric for embroidery, a heat press machine for coasters, and lace to decorate canvas prints—and none of those ideas worked out. But one night, looking at all these leftover materials, I decided to piece them together. That’s how my signature fabric lace magnets were born.
At first, I felt so guilty and insecure when selling them—I almost thought people were getting tricked! But everything changed when a lady walked up to my booth and single-handedly bought 5 out of the 12 I had. That’s when I realized: you guys really, truly love them. They aren't just magnets; they are little pieces of cozy, handmade New York.”
The Scented Keychain: Co-Created by My Customers
My keychains didn’t start out scented; they were originally just stuffed with ordinary cotton. But day after day at my booth outside The Met, customers kept telling me: 'It would be so magical if these were fragrant!'
I listened. I replaced the cotton with real, calming lavender. Since then, they have become one of our most beloved items. This product wasn't just made by me—it was co-created by the wonderful people who stop by and share their dreams with me.
The 6x6" Print: Boosting Michaels' Frame Sales (Just Kidding!)
When I first launched my prints, I chose a non-standard 6x6” square size. 5x5” felt a bit too small, and I wanted something substantial enough to carry the full weight of a New York city scene (and, let’s be honest, something I could price with more value! 😅)
Because it was a unique size, my early customers often had to go through the trouble of buying custom frames. But guess what? After selling over 5,000 prints of this size last year, I went back to check, and Michaels finally started stocking budget-friendly 6x6” frames! I like to jokingly tell myself that my customers and I contributed significantly to Michaels' inventory decisions. (You're welcome, Michaels! 😉)”
