Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Pamela Fortin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Pamela, appreciate you joining us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
After belonging to a local art gallery during my children’s elementary school days, I wanted to do more with my pen and ink work than just wall art. A dear friend had attended an art festival and called to tell me about tea towels she saw and how my art would look perfect on them. I just had to figure out how to do that! Over the course of a few weeks, I researched screen printing, looking for the tools and material that I would need. With materials purchased and a few Youtube videos I started the process. I had so many mishaps and almost gave up. The process of burning my artwork in to the screens did not work at all like I had hoped and I felt like I was throwing money out the window. The gallery that I belonged to was open to have me offer the towels there to see how they would sell. They took off! I then added them to my Etsy shop and they started to sell there, as well! I started selling at farmer’s markets, craft fairs and got picked up by a few local shops. After a year or so, I added napkin sets and tote bags to my line. After getting noticed by Maine Made things opened up for me even more. I picked up more wholesale accounts, started to offer better made towels and my screens greatly improved! I never had a date to “launch” though any of this. I just created it, put it out there and figured out the finer details as I went along. I guess you could say I was a little excited and just wanted to start!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Before I started my handmade business, I was a stay-at-home mom. Knowing that I did not want to go back in to an office environment and to be available to my kids, I started selling my pen and ink art at a local gallery. After a couple years I knew that I wanted to do more with it. After a friend’s suggestion, I learned how to screen print and offered items that make the best gifts! I am proud to say that I 100% create all the artwork, make the screens, print, iron and package it all myself. The majority of my work represents Maine in some way…flowers you can find in my garden, animals you would see on the farm and don’t forget the Maine lobster! It has always been important to me to use materials that are eco-friendly, from the cotton towels and napkins to the ink that I use. My packaging is made from recycled goods or is compostable. I offer my work on premium quality goods that can be used time and time again, Even though my children are now grown, I appreciate the support my business continues to receive so that I can not only create the work that I love, but to allow me to keep growing and learning.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect is that I get to create something with my own two hands every day. Whether I am printing or sketching up a new idea, I am thankful that I get to do it. I also find it very rewarding to work with small local businesses that support me year after year.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
To start, I was able to fund my business with sales from my artwork at a local gallery, as well as, my Etsy shop.
Contact Info:
- Website: northcirclestudio.com
- Instagram: northcirclestudio
- Facebook: thenorthcirclestudio