rivulettecraft's Profile

Bio

Hi there!
I'm Stephanie McKay. I make things under the name Rivulette.

WEBSITE rivulette.com
BLOG rivulette.blogspot.com
IMAGES flickr.com/photos/madamemckay
EMAIL stephanie(at)rivulette(dot)com

MY LAMPWORK GLASS SHOP rivulette.etsy.com

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FAQs- if your question is not answered here, please email or convo me, I'd be glad to chat.

Q: How did you come up with your business name and how do you pronounce it?
A: rivulette (RIV-YOU-LET) I came up with my name when I was tossing around some ideas and rivulette had a nice ring to it. A rivulet is a small river or stream, so rivulette is my stream of consciousness or creativity.

Q: Where do you get your wool?
A: I buy my wool from a supplier that sources it from farms worldwide.

Q: How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been an artist/maker of things forever, beadmaker since 1999, handspinner
since 2007.

Q: Where did you learn to make things?
A: From my parents and grandparents, on my own with how-to books, More Fire Glass
Studio in Rochester NY, Alfred University in Alfred NY, friends, independent artists, etc.

Q: Why is your work so expensive?
A: Each piece I offer for sale represents a great deal of my time and energy. I use the
best materials I can find and price my work accordingly.

Q: Is all of your yarn hand-dyed?
A: My semi-solid yarns are all handspun and hand-dyed, my rainbow '32 Flavors' yarns
are handspun with commercially-dyed wools.

Q: What is 'acid dye'?
A: Acid dye is a synthetic man-made dye that is fixed into protein fibers, such as wool,
in the presence of heat and a mild acid, such as vinegar.

Q: Do you have an actual storefront/shop?
A: No, I sell my work online, at shows and markets, and through retail shops under
consignment or wholesale arrangements.

Q: Do you do this full-time?
A: Not yet, I still work part-time jobs here and there, but within a few years I hope to
make Rivulette my full-time gig.

Q: Do you do custom work?
A: Yes, on a case-by-case basis. If you're interested, send me an email or use the
contact page to start the conversation.

Q: Will you spin my pet's hair into yarn?
A: No. Some of my customers have allergies that can be aggravated by allergens on
my carding and spinning equipment.

Q: I'm interested in starting my own business to sell my art/craft work. Do you have
any advice for me?
A: Yes!
1. be sure it's what you want to do.
2. stay away from loans/credit offers as much as possible- be resourceful and thrifty
with money. ask yourself 'is there a cheap, effective way to do xy and z?' because
there probably is.
3. take a business course and write a business plan.
4. get it looked at by someone in the industry who can give you honest advice.
5. form a support network of other people who do what you want to do.
6. stop listening to those who tell you it can't be done.
7. believe in the power of YOU.
8. keep a journal/notebook/sketchbook.
9. write out your hopes, dreams, and fears.
10. write your goals on a sheet of paper and tack it up on the wall where you'll see it
everyday. do something each day to get yourself closer to completing your goals.
11. don't be afraid to try a bunch of ideas until you find one that works.
12. don't rule out working part-time while you work on your business.
13. ask questions when you don't know what to do.
14. read good books that inspire you and keep your mind fresh.
15. designate a special place to be your studio/workspace/thinking room. use it!
16. do your best, whatever it may be.

Female, Born on August 30

Favorite Materials

glass, wool, sterling silver, fabrics, dyes