It’s spotlight time on Savvy Business Saturday and this week I had the pleasure of interviewing Linh Ly of Starfishly Clay. It was a lot of fun for me as I really enjoy connecting with fellow creatives and learning something that I didnt know before. Here’s how our interview went:

Firstly, I want to thank you for taking part in my first Savvy business Saturday spotlight

Linh: Thank you so much for inviting me to take part in Savvy Business Saturday.

1) What is your business name and can you tell me a little about it?

Linh: My name is Linh Ly. My business name is starfishlyclay.com. You can follow me on Instagram as well @starfishly.clay I really like starfish!! I’m a Calgary based potter. I make small batches of hand thrown pottery and sell it through my website as well as a few shops in Calgary,Edmonton and Regina.

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2) Is this something you’ve always wanted to do or if not how did it come about?

Linh: I went to art school for photography and drawing at the University of Calgary. I might’ve taken a pottery class there but the ceramics department had closed due to lack of interest a decade earlier.The BFA program at U of C is really conceptual so they teach you that art should be about ideas, original and very esoteric. It was heavy on philosophical and aesthetic theory. So after I graduated, I tried to make it in the “artworld”, showing in artist run centers,public galleries and museums nationally and receiving Grant’s from the Canada Council and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. I took a break from my pursuit of art when I had children and then I opened a photography studio which I still run now. About three years ago, I recall just loading my instagram with pottery feeds and couldn’t get enough. So I decided to take my first pottery class and fell in love with it. I sort of started to feel withdrawals after the class ended so I bought a wheel and a manual kiln from the 1950s. I would throw in my backyard, take my potter’s wheel camping and it was a complete accident that I opened my pottery studio. My husband told me to make some nice looking, not-bong like looking bongs for him if that makes sense lol. After I made more then he needed I approached a local hemp shop, Hemproots here in Calgary and they bought a few dozen. Bit by bit I followed along other potter’s and it grew. I love photography and I love taking pictures of my creations and starfishly clay was born from that.

3) What does being a small business owner mean to you?

Linh: I love the freedom of being a small business owner. I make my own hours which is most important because my kids come first. I also love the control. I get to decide on what my collection looks like, how my marketing looks. I love engaging with people and pottery fans are the nicest people. I also get to choose how busy I am.

4) If there’s one thing you’d like your customers to know about you and your business what would it be?

Linh: I dont have a lot of business advice. For every mug I sell there were many that didn’t work out, time that can’t be recouped. Pottery is really painstakingly hard work. It’s hard on your back and the rest of your body. I have to do weights to avoid hurting myself while throwing. Nothing is predictable in pottery, you are guaranteed to have something go wrong. I’m really not a perfectionist, but as a potter you learn every step is essential and u need to strive to create consistency in your process. Did u get new clay or old clay? Did you throw with your bare hands or gloves? How much water is in the clay? What is the right moisture level in your studio? Is your green ware hard enough to trim? Why did this glaze mess up? How many seconds did I dip my bisque in the glaze for? Why are my handles cracking !!!! I mean, all of this is challenging and makes it all consuming yet fun. The ultimate brain teaser I love how it just tire’s me out at the end of the day.

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5) What are some of the challenges you’ve faced this year?

Linh: Aside from the process listed above the challenges might be the same as any other small business I imagine. It’s always a challenge to find new customers and new interest in your work. Is it a marketing exposure problem? Or do I need some fresh new ideas?

With 2020 being so challenging and uncertain how do you or how have you been able to keep positive?

Linh: I just keep chugging along. I used to train for half marathons so I innately am attracted to challenges but I try not to put to much pressure on myself, I mean it’s pottery. I’m not ever going to make a million bucks so I keep my goals small and finish one order at a time. When I’m done my orders I try to engage my audience or find more interest until I have orders again. I remind myself I’m doing it so I can learn something or it’s something to challenge my creativity. It’s never been about the money.

What advice do you have for fellow business owners going through ups and downs this year?

Linh: Every business is unique, I can’t really say if I can offer good advice that would make sense for everyone. As a business owner you have your own sense of what kind of risks you’re willing to take or what interests you creatively, how much time you have to spend and money to invest in your work. But I think if you do anything consistently things should stick.

8) What is the worst piece of advice regarding business that you have ever gotten?

Linh: That if you do anything consistently, things should stick hahaha I have no idea

9) What is the best advice you’ve ever been given and did you take it?

Linh: Well that’s interesting for me as a creative, but also as someone who’s very practical. I think the practical side of me has been very critical of the creative side of myself. That’s been the hardest part. So I have loved learning that through books such as the “Artists way” by Julia Cameron and ” Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert is that creatives have to create, whether or not the world likes or needs your work, you have to do it. So if you are a creative my advice is to give yourself permission to create.

10) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Linh: I’m forty five now I just want to be as healthy as I am now, be able to run and lift weights and do what I love to do. I hope my business will be more profitable for sure. I hope there will be more interest in my work and I can continue to do what I love.

11) In closing, Is there anything else youd like to add?

Linh: Thanks so much for inviting me to talk about ideas, art and business. It’s been really fun and thought provoking. I’m more then flattered that you reached out.

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I cant tell you how much I loved doing this interview. I learnt new things and come to new conclusions about myself as a creative as well. Thank you thank you Linh Ly for doing this with me and please everyone show some love to this amazing artisan. Follow on instagram check out her beautiful work. I will also share her photography business at the bottom so you can check out her beautiful photo’s as well. Next Saturday we will showcase another small business owner so till then

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Love Incredibly Inspired Magnolia

Well the last week didn’t go as planned did it? I was so excited gearing up for black friday and finishing my christmas shopping because I’m an early shopper and like to be done before december hits. Christmas I always felt needs to be as stress free as I can make it, I’m still cooking and entertaining but I hate that rushed and stressed out feeling like I’ve forgotten something or I’m broke and I can’t quite enjoy the holidays like I want so i make my lists and slowly buy as things are on sale, food for baking that wont spoil gets bought and put in cold storage and I pay a little extra on Bill’s so December isn’t busy and I can enjoy my time with family and my children to the fullest. But along with the rest of the world 2020 has really kicked us in the ass, this pandemic has strained everyone to the max emotionally, financially and mentally. This week Alberta announced more restrictions as numbers started to climb again with children in grades seven to twelve being sent home to online learn again. Now I have 2 children in that group and to be honest they have taken all this change far better then I have. They have been resilient, smart and focused on not only doing the best they can in school but also in precautions to ensure they not only didnt get sick but they weren’t bringing it home to me. I’m in awe of them as our children have shown us how to act in the face of something daunting and hard. We as parents are here to teach and guide our children but this year I can honestly say my children have taught me far more. I may not get the Christmas I envision every year this year, my lists may not get ticked off and I may not get through the holidays as stress free as I had hoped but and that’s a big But I can learn from my children, I can try and be more resilient, more patient, more focused on doing my part as well. Nobody wanted this and nobody thought this year would go to shit in a hand basket but I am going to choose to think of the positives as much as I can. I have had more time with my family then ever before, we are closer,stronger and in a sense happier as a unit then we have ever been. I’m choosing to go into this holiday season grateful I have them, grateful for the time I’ve had to truly get to know my kids and grateful to be here and present. I dont know who needs to hear this and maybe you dont agree with my thoughts and that’s ok. Your doing your best and that’s all anyone can do and be asked of doing. This was a heavy Fan Friday but it needed to be said, next friday I will announce a book we can start and also be starting a mini series where we get insights from local authors I have the pleasure of knowing and learning from while I navigate writing my first book eeek

Love, Enlightened Magnolia x

On this first addition of Truss it Up Thursdays I’m talking about my trip to one of my closest friends to have my eyebrows microbladed for the first time. First of all I have to give props to my girl because it seems there is nothing she can’t do. She does nails, hair, eyelashes, spa treatments and now eyebrows. I’m sure I am missing something but itll be amazing to have a one stop shop to go to that has everything a girl needs to feel beautiful. Back to me, I have been getting my eyebrows waxed and/or plucked for 23 years now leaving me with very thin eyebrows and in some places damaged to the point where the hair no longer grows back in. I was a little bit skeptical as I didn’t really know what to expect and apprehensive to be completely transparent. I was putting a lot of faith in my friend and it was kind of scary wondering if I was going to look ridiculous or different in some way. I had been filling them in and drawing on my eyebrows for years so I knew walking in the look I wanted but my main focus was to have them evened out with a fuller but natural look. So first tip know what you are after. Nicola had me go on pinterest as well to get a reference picture of what shape, fullness and look I was after. When I arrived at my appt they ask u to fill out a form on medical history,personal information and to make sure you understand the procedure that you are getting. For myself, it required a little bit more of an “interview” to make sure I was a good candidate for microblading. People with auto immune diseases need to make sure they do their research before booking these types of procedures and be transparent when talking with your technician. As someone who has lupus they needed to go over my medications, see how long I’d been on treatment, how I was feeling that day and just go over any concerns they had as well as I had. I felt good that day so we opted to go ahead and we began. Step one I had numbing cream put on my eyebrows and area which sat for about 15 minutes. After my new brows were drawn on, made symmetrical and outlined for me to look at. That first look i barely recognized myself which I’m sure sounds ridiculous to some but i kinda felt like a new me. I had my moment laid back down and then at this point Nicola began to clean around my new brows lines and prepping for the owwie part. Some compare getting a tattoo to microblading but I felt although the concept of putting ink into your skin with a needle is similar that’s about where it stops. With a tattoo the needle is going fast with a vibrating motion whereas microblading is several small blades like a comb when scraped across the area mimic hair strands. So it gives the illusion of hair where u there is none and fills in where you do. It does hurt after a bit and if your really sensitive I imagine it can hurt quite a bit but you can request more numbing cream if you need it. This goes until your brows meet your outline and are filled in. Next up ,you get an ink bath where the excess ink is placed on the brows and saran wrap is used to cover it. While that sat I did my best Eugene Levy impressions because I felt at this point mine could definitely rival his. Very chic look for me!!! The ink was then rubbed off and ointment was put on. I can definitely admit to wiggling my eyebrows in front of the mirror for a solid five minutes as she went over aftercare with me. On a scale of 1 to 5 I’d say 5/5 all the way around. The entire experience from beginning to end was great and I felt like I had gotten a little of my confidence back. My best piece of advice is do your research when considering your options, trust the person doing it and when going to someone new read reviews and check referrals. Ask to see past work. Be realistic about how u want it to look and trust your technician if they tell you what you’ve picked wont work for your face shape. Microblading is semi permanent i will need a touch up but then it should last me a few years. For anyone local to Medicine Hat her name is Nicola Kalmring and I will get all her deets to share should anyone else wish for some fab new brows. She offers microblading, hybrid and powdered/ombre brows as well. If u have anymore questions about it or my experience shoot me an email at rusticmagnolia82@gmail.com, till next time

Love, Browtastic Magnolia

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Its Fan Friday woohoo and my response to this has been great let me just say. I took to Facebook, Instagram, twitter and my good old contacts list to see what would people be interested in reading about for our very first Fan Friday. I’ve had requests for weight loss tips, marketing tips for business, style Friday talking about current trends, sewing and quilt tips and or patterns etc. Our most popular request however, was for a book club to be started or recommendations on books to read during this home period that’s never ending I fear. Now I love this idea as I am a very big book nerd but where to start, everyone has different tastes in books so I’m thinking I could post a list of books I have read. Keep in mind I read all sorts of books but have lately read a lot of romance and erotic romance but I do realize that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. I have read outlaw biker series, billionaire love stories, nitty gritty stories and so on. I can say some have been amazing and I couldn’t put them down, some have made me blush from head to toe and have questions I never thought I’d have and others have made me so uncomfortable that I stopped reading immediately and removed from my kobo device on the spot. But again, it’s preference I love self assured, cocky, sailor talking alpha males and I always love a strong sarcastic woman that can bring those kind of men crumbling down. i also love fantasy and suspense and business and true story’s that tug on that heartstring from beginning to end. I’ll list a few books/ authors in different genres that I have read and then not only can u guys vote on an option you can also give me some insight on what you are looking for. I’m kinda excited about this and will go over results next Friday briefly. Please keep the ideas coming in for content on Friday’s as it is ultimately what the fans want to hear and read about.

Romance: Anything Meghan March pure genius, Lauren Blakely, Lisa Renee Jones, Elizabeth Knox, Chelle Bliss, M.Francis Lamont I really could go on forever

Sci-Fi/ Fantasy: Kelly Armstrong, Michael Scott, Rick Riordan, Jonathon Mayberry, Cassandra Clare, Julie Kagawa

Life, Motivation: Rachel Hollis, Ryan. J Safford, Arlene Dickinson, Jay Shetty, Gary John Bishop

And honestly my list could go on forever I like it all but here’s some choices take a peek and please email, message and let me know what your think, if your planning on starting a book, all the good stuff.

much Love,

Book nerdy Magnolia xx

Well my first week of blogging went down the shitter …. pardon my French but I needed to be real here. I had meticulously typed out all the posts designated for last week and had put them on a scheduled timer to be published at the same time everyday thus allowing me adequate time to get ahead in my posts, read comments, reviews etc etc. Instead I come down to my office to find not only had no posts been published since Tuesday but my computer needed to “update” and the 5 posts are no where to be found like poof gone. I will not grace you with the colorful language that had come out of my mouth or the mini tantrum that might put most toddlers to shame instead I will simply say what the *@#*#@*#@@@. Now that I have adequately exercised my demons and frustrations I will simply say Thank you for your patience while I navigate technology my 12 year old apparently knows how to use better and get on with the show. I will continue with the regular scheduled posts tomorrow only now I will manually post each day until I can figure out what I did wrong the first time. Before I go I’d like some thoughts and ideas of what you would like to see this Fan Friday so please email me, post a comment, follow along and again any businesses looking for a spotlight or my fellow entrepreneurs have any sage advice shoot me a Dm so I can do a Feature. Ooooooo I know anyone with experience with squared up please please please message me I totally dont think I’m doing this right.

Much Love,

Frustrated Magnolia

Trippin Tuesday is going to be a little unorthodox this week because I’m not going to

talk about going on a trip. Why??? Well it’s simple 2020 has really put us through

the ringer leaving a lot of families struggling financially and unable to travel. So this week I’m going to talk about Staycations and the importance of those. For those of you not familiar with this word it is a holiday from life where you don’t leave your house. Just bear with me and I’ll convince you that not only is it fun but easy and affordable too. First, you need to pick a theme and/or a destination you have in mind and start planning from there. Secondly the weekend or however many days you need should be free of electronic devices unless you need it for a photo op. Third and most important ignore the outside world, prepare to relax and have fun. Once you have your theme and/or destination sorted it’s time to research and plan. We like to move mattresses into our Livingroom for a big campout setting which is great if you have the space if not get creative so you are all together. After we are all set up we take to google to find recipes for our meals and snacks that coincide with our theme or destination. Go Big or Go Home!!!! Next we pick movies or genres that go with our theme for entertainment. For Example, Disney movie marathon for a Disney themed vacay or action movies based out of a tropical destination for those sunnier places we like. If your feeling adventurous you could dress up, at our house we like our Pj’s so that’s usually our go to. It may sound like a lot of work to just stay home but i can say from experience how nice it was to relax with the family, shut out the world and really enjoy time with them without going broke to do it. I’ll give some examples with meal plans below. The first few are geared more towards families with younger children and I do give an adult staycation idea as well but honestly there is really no limit to what you do, how you do it and how it works with your family dynamic. I’d love for you to share your staycation ideas and please share, share share. I love seeing photos and comments.

Disney Staycation:

Dress Up, Makeovers, Build a Fort, Disney Movie Marathon

Meal Ideas:

Fish Sticks, Shrimp , Fish n Chips, Crap Dip ( Little Mermaid)

Gumbo, Shrimp skewers, Beignets or donuts Mardi Gras style (Princess and the Frog)

Hot Dogs, Nachos, Fries, Ice cream cones (Cars)

Chicken Drumsticks, grapes, finger foods ( The Sword in the Stone)

You get the idea!

Camping:

Set up a tent in the house, break out the sleeping bags

Start a fire (we have a wood fireplace)

Pick movies with a camping theme (The Parent trap, Camp Nowhere, Troop Beverly Hills, Scooby Doo Camp Scare, or for older kids pick scary movies like Friday the 13th etc)

Meal Ideas:

Burgers, Hot Dogs, skillet meals, tin foil dinners

Again we have a wood fireplace so we roast marshmallows and hot dogs on sticks but this would work on one of those portable stoves as well. Just be safe

Adult Staycation:

We set up a makeshift bed in our Livingroom, pick a movie or series in a genre we like and then go from there. For Example, we watched The Fast and the Furious movies and for our meal, snacks and drinks we googled destinations from the movies and then found recipes for Appy’s and everything else based on those and set it up buffet style.

There is no right and wrong way to do this, it is just meant to be fun, affordable and relaxing. Please share your experiences with me while having your own adventures and I’ll see you next week for another Trippin Tuesday.

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.

Hi Everyone, for those of you that don’t know me, my name is Sarah Jane and I own Rustic Magnolia and Lavishly Designed which are craft based businesses in which i create anything from furniture to quilts and so on.I also showcase other artisans in my retail space. A jack of all trades I suppose. I named this post Starting Over because this is a return to blogging and essentially starting over from scratch. I’ve been gone a few years going through the motions of life as we do with ups and downs along the way. I wanted this time around to reflect on these past few years and put forward what I’ve learned good or bad. When coming up with a concept and ideas for this blog I really had to think about what I wanted to convey to my audience. And i came up with this, I wanted a blog that not only celebrated my success and my failures but others as well. I wanted to share everything from D.I.Y to parenting to life. I wanted to showcase my fellow entrepreneurs and talk about a good book, give business tips that have helped me and advice I wish I wouldn’t have taken.So how did I plan to make all this work? Well every week has 7 days and each day will have a theme. Mommy Mondays kicks off our week with funny stories as a mom, tips, jokes, blogs, people to follow etc. Trippin Tuesdays will give travel advice,vacation spots, staycation ideas,markets,events and anywhere fun I’ve been. D.I.Y Wednesdays I’ll share projects, my projects, how-to’s, budget friendly decorating, hacks and so on. Truss it Up Thursday will bring in the beauty tips, tutorials,product reviews, health and fitness success/ fails. Fan Friday will be all about you guys over the week if u have any ideas for a blog post something you would like to see more of, an idea I didn’t think of this is is the day and we will vote.Savvy Business Saturdays is dedicated to business, my business,your business,books,goals, and showcasing fellow business women as guest spots. Rounding up the week is Serving up Sundays which will have your mouth watering as we feature recipes,party ideas ,hosting tricks, and all those things that are delicious. I believe every post should start and end with something positive, we have enough negativity in this world we don’t need more and lastly, I’d like to create a community for anyone wanting a good laugh when its needed and a platform that you look forward to going to. Thank you for all the support from family and friends. My children inspire me everyday and i’m truly blessed to be surrounded by some pretty awesome people. Till next time “Be kind to one another” – Ellen Degeneres

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