Do you ever fantasize about turning your hobby into an income? Words from the wise suggest that doing what you love brings happiness and success, which is what most of us want, right? However, the majority of us don’t turn our fantasies into reality. We call it having other commitments, being pragmatic, or simply doing the math and dismissing our pipedreams. Why the inertia? Do we fear failure, are we lazy, or do we lack emotional support or role models? Role models are one of the best cures for procrastination.
Rustic Hut owners Janine Hendrickson, Lynette Pearl, and Justin Hendrickson might be just what the doctor ordered: a prescription of inspiration. These are real people with real jobs who dare to chase their dreams of turning their hobbies into extra income. And yes, they have day jobs says Janine the bus driver, Lynette the payroll administrator, and Justin the school nurse.
It took some discussion and soul searching for this sister-mother-son team to commit to pooling their creative energies and resources to sell creations at the Puyallup Farmers Market this season. Putting your wares out there for all to see takes courage. “You never believe that your stuff is good enough to sell,” says Janine. However, with enough encouragement from friends and family, they decided to take the leap. “Plus, it’s cheap therapy,” quips Janine.
The Rustic Hut fills two vendor spaces with 200 to 300 handmade rustic signs, photo frames, small furniture, greeting cards and yard art made from wood and other reclaimed materials. They offer items at various price points ranging from $5 inspirational fridge magnets to $60 love shelves. Current big sellers are signs with quotes and yard art made from old fencing.
Sisters Janine and Lynette are self-taught painters who first experimented with tole painting, a decorative form of painting on tin, wooden utensils, objects and furniture. Tole painting involves transferring patterns onto an item’s surface and then painting over the pattern.
In time, the sisters evolved to quotes on wood, which involves no pattern work and allows for more creative expression. The pair took baby steps toward selling by starting out small at school and church bazaars. Whirlygigs (colorful hanging spinning bugs) were their most popular items back then. Eventually, they branched out to larger events such as the Renton River Days. But it became difficult to compete with commercial vendors who could offer cheaper prices and still turn a profit so they took a break until finding the Puyallup Farmers Market. With the market’s focus on local homegrown fruits, veggies, flowers and handmade crafts by local artisans, it’s become the perfect fit for them. Their business model creates fair and consistent pricing among vendors selling similar handmade items.
But this sister team doesn’t go it alone. Justin was born an entrepreneur. As a young boy, he often accompanied his mom and aunt at local bazaars to sell his handmade Bead Bug key chains. However, it wasn’t until he became a new homeowner a few years ago that he found his artistic niche. A new home typically involves a few projects, so he purchased a table saw to help complete such tasks. The table saw sat in the garage until Christmas when he was searching for a gift idea for his sister-in-law and her boyfriend. His fiancé’s family tradition dictated handmade gifts so there was a bit of pressure to deliver. While perusing Pinterest he encountered a picture of a rustic, Western-style entryway table. He said to himself, “I can do that.” And he did. And it was a hit.
But how does this trio make the time between their day jobs and other responsibilities? Janine paints on the couch while her husband watches fishing shows. Justin hangs out in his woodshop while his wife works swing shift as a registered nurse. Lynette somehow finds time to paint while being a single mom of small children with a full-time job. Perhaps she doesn’t sleep.
Hopefully, you are adequately inspired and sufficiently kicked in the pants. Farmers markets and bazaars are fun, wholesome and relatively inexpensive venues for testing interest in your creations. For about $1,000 in start-up costs (awnings, displays and booth rental), you can learn about your products’ marketability, breathe some fresh air and maybe make a few friends along the way.
For information about the Rustic Hut find them on Facebook and visit them Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Puyallup Farmers Market located in Pioneer Park. Want to place a custom order? Send the Rustic Hut a message with your project idea.
