We recently connected with Helen Louise Stiver and have shared our conversation below.

Helen Louise, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later? Give us the backstory – when did you start, where were you at life-wise/career-wise? What would starting later or sooner have been like for you? What would have changed about your experience and looking back do you wish you had started sooner, later or at the same time?

Like most, I do wish I had started this creative career sooner. Living in a society where higher education and ladder climbing careers are emphasized, I didn’t feel encouraged to develop my creative side. Growing up I was very artistic, I enjoyed making things with my hands and the sense of accomplishment when others admired my creations. Art classes are where I excelled however these courses were considered extra-curricular and not presented as possible paths for the future. In an effort to satisfy the expectations of those around me and still explore my creative side, I attended The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. There I was able to begin a career in retail merchandising and management. After over a decade in this field I began to feel unsatisfied, changed direction and landed in the non-profit world. While working in non-profit provided a sense of purpose, I still did not feel fulfilled, this is when I listened to my inner voice and began developing my artistic side again. Slowly I acquired skills, techniques and tools to start making jewelry.

Helen Louise, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Helen Louise,  I am the artist behind Charming Little Lotus, a jewelry brand that represents my love of nature and philosophy to live a life of meaning and intention.

Initially, jewelry making was an outlet, a way to be creative and to do something that I enjoyed. As with many hand-crafted businesses, people started noticing the jewelry I wore and asked about it, even requesting to purchase it, this is when I decided to look into establishing a small business. From the beginning, my intention was (and still is) to create memorable pieces that would not only be beautiful but would provide a sense of connection, that could be worn as a reminder of inner strength. Inspired by the symbolism found in nature, such as growth, resilience, and courage, I chose the Lotus to represent my brand and as the centerpiece of my signature collection. While my offerings have expanded into several collections over the years, I have remained true to the original idea of providing mindfully hand-crafted jewelry, created with intention and care.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Operating a creative business in of itself is an exercise in resilience. The learning curve is steep when starting out, from the legal process of establishing your name and properly filing the paperwork, to developing a presence via social media, email marketing and setting up a website. While there is a ton of information available online, hours are spent figuring out what is relevant and trustworthy. Another area that tests your resilience as a creative entrepreneur is discovering that important yet fine line between making what you like while also keeping in mind who you are selling to, because no one wants to be a “starving artist”. A specific story that comes to mind is when I was commissioned to create 100 paper-weight sculptures that would be presented to benefactors at a botanical gardens’ donor gala. The initial consultation quickly transformed from my simple design to a much more involved and difficult to construct composition. While I was able to successfully deliver the order, the complexity required outsourcing that increased my costs, diminishing my profits. As with most experiences this was a good lesson, I learned to not let projects get out of hand and to take more time to investigate the details of a proposal prior to providing a quote.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I believe that we are always evolving, growing and learning. Personally, I am driven to focus this into my creative side. There are so many beautiful techniques others have mastered and I enjoy taking workshops and courses to continue to improve. When I meet others, primarily at festivals and fairs, I encourage them to move past their fears and self judgement, pick up a pen or paintbrush, get their hands dirty in clay or wield a hammer and torch. This is part of my mission, to inspire and encourage others to explore their creative side, to cherish and enjoy the art of hand crafted.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.charminglittlelotus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charminglittlelotus/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4charminglittlelotus/