Being a #Womenpreneur with Mindy Schumacher
Hi Everyone! Here is the second part of Elena Sarni's interview with Mindy Schumacher from Follysome Prints. Through the Pine Tree Pop-up Makers Series Elena introduces us to amazing makers across the country.
In honor of Mother's Day, we are publishing the second part of the interview with Mindy where she talks about the balancing act of being a mom, a maker, and a successful #womenpreneur in this day and age. Happy Mother's Day to all of the mom makers out there! Enjoy the interview!
Like mother like daughter!
How do you balance being a mom and an artist?
Balance is a challenge, no doubt. I think that comes with the territory. Seeming contradictions arise with being a parent. It’s difficult balancing your own needs and those of a child who is so dependent upon you. Being the best parent requires a strong sense of self and yet leaves so little time for nourishing that self. But I am glad in my decision to show my daughter what it is to love work. I love my work, every day, and she sees that, she wants to be a part of it.
I’ve seen this with my own mother. Not long after my daughter was born, my mother began taking regular trips to Kenya as a missionary. One of the aims of her organization is to empower women by equipping them with a trade. They provide sewing machines, training, and outlets for women to sell handmade wares, toys, clothing, handbags, kitchen wares, etc. This really inspired me in a way I cannot articulate. For these women, creating with their hands was a way to be independent, to feed their families, to gain self-worth. This is ages old, the concept that self-worth can be found in creating value with our own hands, wherever life finds us. When I left full-time work to be an entrepreneur, I didn’t have everything figured out. But I had a mantra --- “not what we have, but what we enjoy constitutes our abundance.” It is attributed to Epicurus; an ancient quote, but so powerful.
Mindy in her studio
When did you start to consider yourself a businesswomen?
It still sounds odd to say I run a business. But I do. It’s legit. I pay taxes. Ha! Before I had worked in a business office handing accounts receivable, legal contracts, etc. So the business side of starting a business was right up my alley and didn’t intimidate me. Initially my intention was to develop my skills so I could make a plan once my daughter started school. I couldn’t have anticipated how far I’d come during this time I was treating as a transition period. I suppose transitions are opportunities and it’s up to us to be open to them.
Mindy's art
This year you launched a line of housewares, including linen table runners and napkins. Tell us about it.
This particular line of table linens was inspired by a pattern called Cat’s Cradle that I designed in 2017. I’m still fond of it. I released it on linen and pieces were framed or used for display purposes. I knew I needed to up my game and experiment more before diving into truly high quality dining textiles. I like cotton tea towels and use them every day. But I really wanted to set myself apart with high quality linens made from scratch. Throughout 2018 I made many linen pillows. I love printing on linen.
This year I’ve expanded my product line to include more linen products, including more clothing. My ethos is to create art for everyday life. But I needed them to have professional finishes and for items to be family-tested. This winter I finally added the proper equipment (thanks to my husband gifting me a serger for Christmas!) and went through the quality control tests to truly make it happen.
I definitely think my desire to launch a line of housewares stems in large part from my role as a mom and homemaker. But I’ve always loved textiles. I started buying home linens in high school out of sheer obsession. I view high quality textiles as an investment. I want this line of table linens to be considered heirloom pieces, and not trendy, disposable items.
table linens
You seem to have been drawn to mid-century modern styles for this line.
Mid-century modern has so much appeal and fits with my vision of simplicity. The linen itself can shine as much as the print. Getting this product line launched was a great accomplishment for my humble efforts. There was a lot of planning and testing that went in it. I’ve also added a lot of specialty twill, which I adore! The textures and variety of textiles are endlessly pleasing to me. I could spend all day in a fabric store --- or similarly, a library. They are special places full of ideas and possibilities.
daugher in romper
I know you make your daughter gorgeous block printed outfits.
Absolutely. This is how I got started and it’s been a goal of mine since my daughter was born. Style is something integral to me, although fashion can seem unattainable. That’s something I want to change, if only for myself. I have a really long way to go in this vein but there’s nothing stopping me from doing it. I’m focused on creating classic styles, very reminiscent of my own childhood, but with my own take on color and pattern. Dressing my daughter is an amazing privilege.
Mindy's dolls
What are some of your favorite things to make?
I love to make my little bunnies! Probably because I feel they’re very original and came from such a pure place of cobbling together varied interests to make something special. I hope to make many more doll designs. My products have evolved as my business has grown from being solely made to order to keeping inventory. That takes time and proven sales, but I really enjoy being able to dabble in small batch, special items. Such as my block printed leggings I made last fall. They were a labor of love and not a permanent shop item, but that made them a special experience.
You have your niece and nephew working with you as “printerns,” correct?
Yes! It is fantastic, I love these kids. They are unique, incredible individuals and I wish only good things for them. I wish I had the whole world to give them. When I have a large order, they come work with Aunt Mindy for the day and I couldn’t be more tickled. They’re young, in young relationships and working their first jobs. If they’ve learned anything, I hope it’s an understanding that they can do anything they want and can live self-determined lives. Whatever they do, I’m already so proud of them. Isn’t it funny, these people are like walking trophies that make me puff up with such pride. And I can take credit for none of it, of course. But they’re mine, and they’re awesome!
Tell us something about you that might surprise people.
I used to do a lot of songwriting. Sometimes I feel a big pull to return to it and perhaps one day I will. It will have to be a more quiet phase of my life as having a child doesn’t give me much time for my thoughts.
About the author: Elena M. Sarni
Elena M. Sarni has a BA in English and an MA in History and Museum Studies from the University of New Hampshire. She worked as a curator at art museums and held fellowships to study folk art collections early in her career. Upon moving to Maine she worked as a freelance art reviewer for several years, managed a local arts association, and took positions at a few small museums.
She organized her first fine art and craft pop-up shop in 2015 and is currently planning her sixth show, which will open this November. She branded the business as Pine Tree Pop-Up in 2016, naming it for Maine's state tree.
She takes pride in supporting local artists and promoting the creative economy.
Want to know more about Elena? Read this post she wrote