(Arts & Craft) Septartistry x Septa

Q1. What is behind the brand name & logo?

My logo is actually my name (Septa) and I'm into embroidery artistry, so I wanted to combine both together in one sentence. I specifically chose the font as it resembles the stitching and my hope for an endless creativity.

Q2.How did you get into making embroidery?

My Mom taught me embroidery when I was in primary school. The first stitch I learned was fishbone stitch. But at that time, I wasn’t very interested in embroidery. It wasn’t until Fall 2019, in my early 30s, that I picked up embroidery again, and this time, I fell in love with it. I find embroidery incredibly relaxing and soothing. For me, it's also a way to honor my Mom.

Q3. What are the challenges and how did you overcome it?

Hand embroidery takes a lot of time. Typically, I spend anywhere from 2 to 7 hours creating hand-embroidered brooches and earrings. Bigger pieces, such as wall art or potrait, will take longer between 3 days to 3 months. However, as a busy mom, time is a luxury I don’t always have. I’ve learned to make the most of the time I do have.

This is not specifically for embroidery, but I find it can be tough to silence the negative thoughts about our own work. I often find myself doubting my embroidery skills or feeling like my work isn’t good enough. It's a constant battle that I’m still navigating. But most of the time, I push through and keep embroidering, reminding myself that even if this piece doesn’t turn out as expected, it’s not the end of the world.

Sometimes, though, when self-criticism is overwhelming, I just to take a break from embroidery. Stepping away allows me to clear my mind and return with a fresh perspective.

I love flowers and plants. Unfortunately, I do not have the time, energy, and patience to care for them. So I thought, hey floral embroidery is a nice idea!

I draw inspiration from the flowers around my home and the places I've visited. There's something special about revisiting those memories through my own art.

My favorite pieces are the the forget-me-not  brooch and daffodil brooch.They hold a special place in my heart, reminding me of the springtime when we lived in the USA and Germany. Every time I look at them, memories come flooding back.

Additionally, my recent 3D brooches and earrings are also among my favorites. Not only are they pretty and unique, but they also involve three different techniques. Each piece is hand-stitched with lots of detail and love.

Q5. What is the most important in running a booth?

I would say the booth setup is crucial. I always test out my booth setup at home (at least twice) before the market. I really take my time to ensure the setup is inviting, clear, and on-brand.

When I test my booth at home, I'm always asking myself lots of questions: Will this setup be overwhelming? Where should I stand to talk to my customers? Is the signage clear? Is the table high enough for people to see my products, or do I need risers? Do I need extra lighting? And where's the packaging station, so I can pack orders easily without creating too much mess on my table? 

These are just the basics; I could go on all day with endless questions. I want to ensure people have an enjoyable experience browsing my booth and that we can build a nice interaction.

Your pitch is also important. I always keep in mind that people are busy and may not know what Septartistry is. That's why I aim to present a short and meaningful pitch that grabs their attention.

Years ago during a christmas market, a 70-year-old lady came to my booth, she said, “Your embroidery reminds me of my Mother. She loves peonies.” We then talked about flowers and the things we love. This is my goal for every market I join. I'm not just offering accessories; I'm offering art that they can appreciate and stories they can relate to.

Q6. Were there any memorable moments that you've remembered through meeting new vendors?

Joining a craft market is mentally and physically exhausting, but it's all worth it when you can have fun and enjoy the show. Being an introvert myself, participating in craft fairs offers a good opportunity to make friends and learn about other people's journeys. The more I interact with other makers, the more I realize how much there is to learn.

Having you as my booth neighbor is such a great experience; your calming presence gives me a space to recharge my "social battery", something I rarely get during a market.

Q7. Can you share with us a Tagline that you've lived up to today? 

Enjoy the moments and make time for the people and the things you love while you can.