Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Noelle Johansen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Noelle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
I purchased a small embroidery machine which allowed me to create more products and expand. Sales ebbed and flowed, some months were abundant and others were scary. I worked hard, and my business slowly outgrew my apartment. Last year, I found my dream home, which was double the rent and double the size, and I decided to take the leap. After moving in, I got a loan for a professional-grade embroidery machine. Due to the increased cost of living, I had to work a dayjob for a few months last fall. I was absolutely miserable the entire time and I quit on a whim so I could take care of my mental health. A week later, my sales picked back up and have been consistent since then.
I’ve made a lot of objectively stupid decisions, but all of them have improved my life immensely. If I hadn’t been a bit delusional, I would still be stuck doing something that made me unhappy. Being self-employed isn’t easy and there’s hundreds of tiny (and big) risks. There’s a chance the risk might not pan out, but there’s a chance that it will. I think that trying and failing is better than not trying at all.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Noelle and I’m an embroidery artist. I started doing hand embroidery because I love keeping my hands busy. My designs make folks smile and spark conversations about inclusion and human rights. I mainly sell my work online, but I love doing craft markets and selling my work in person. Sustainability is a priority of mine, and I do my best to reduce waste as much as possible by using reused/recyclable packaging. In my free time, I love to read, crochet, and play cozy games. I do not tolerate bigotry of any form, and I only make designs that align with my own beliefs.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect is the flexibility. I’m in charge of my own schedule and workload, which means that I’m allowed to rest and take a day off whenever I need it. It allows me to have a better work/life balance and spend more time with people I love.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I think in order for artists and creatives to thrive, consumerism needs to end. We live in a world where planned obsolescence and 2-day shipping is the standard. Nearly every creative I know provides quality goods that are meant to last and bring joy, and their art is rightfully expensive. Consumerism has customers focused on the cheapest item, even if it means that workers and creatives are exploited in the process. Purchasing with intention rather than impulse will help creatives in all fields thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: astraeagoods.com
- Instagram: @astraeagoods
- Twitter: @astraeagoods
- Youtube: astraeagoods
- Other: tiktok: astraeagoods email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Allison Corona and Wintry Market