Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carly Schwartz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Carly , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

When I started making things with resin, I didn’t have a name for my business.  I was mostly doing this for fun – for a distraction really.  Covid had just begun, and I found that creating with Resin was the easiest way to relieve my stress.  The name peacelovecarly came about when I realized that the items I was making were being purchased by people who wanted to bring joy to others (which was my goal as well).  The name, peacelovecarly really says who I am. I am all about peace and love and spreading joy! I believe the art I make does exactly that!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

When Covid began in 2020, I was a preschool director with two young children who were doing their schooling at home – it was a lot! I needed a project to help take my mind off the stress I was feeling. My sister had begun using resin and I asked her if she would teach me how. I began with making resin alphabet sets – and this was how my business took off! So many people wanted my resin alphabets to assist their children who were learning at home.  I probably sold 300 alphabet sets – it seemed that everyone who was at home with their kids wanted a set!

Then I started making coasters and key chains – it was so much fun! The more I could make with resin, the better!  I was trying to create as much as I could and as often as I could. A friend of mine reached out to me and asked if I would help her make a tray using the crushed glass from her wedding. This was my introduction to tray making – and now that is mostly what I do! I make resin trays for people using invitations, flowers, crushed glass, etc. This is incredibly special to me as I am now making pieces that people will hold onto for a very long time.  I also own a Cricut so I personalize much of what I make as well. I am so thrilled that my art has taken off and people trust me to make gifts for their loved ones.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Honestly, I am terrible with social media! I take terrible pictures, I don’t know how to make videos, I am your typical 40 something working mom who is trying to keep it together! But, having a social media presence has really changed my business. People who I don’t know reach out to me to make items for them. I often get messages that say, “I have been following you for a while and I love your art, can you make something for me?”. This to me is everything. I am so touched when someone reaches out to me to make something personal for them. I find that using social media is important for artists as well, as we share ideas and grow our businesses together.  I follow a ton of other resin artists and am so thankful for the friendships I have developed through social media.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I have a full-time job that I love, so resin is really my side gig. I try to grow my clientele – but not too much. I don’t have too much time outside of my work and my family, so I am happy with the amount of people and orders I have – but love when people reach out to me as well. It is all about balance. My clientele really grows from word of mouth.  I create an item for someone and then they reach out to me to create a gift for someone else.  This is the most wonderful way to grow a business, as it means that people love what I make enough to spread the word!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: peacelovecarly
• Facebook: peacelovecarly