We’re back, dear reader with our Berkshire spotlight! One of the best parts of living in the Berkshires, which I’m sure you’re well aware, is taking in all of the rich artistry that exists in Berkshire county.
One of the core beliefs of both Only In My Dreams and our store The Shop is celebrating and uplifting the artistry and creativity of all of us here in the Berkshires. It's one reason why we love offering boutique gifts and other items created by artisans all over Berkshire County!
As such, we're excited to bring back our Berkshire Spotlight series this summer.
To kick us off is Toula, a fiber artist whose Macramé art went from a return to the familiar to a successful local business and artistic practice that's being showcased in an art show this summer. Read on below to learn about her fiber artistry and her business, Make My Day Design.
Where did the idea for Make My Day Design start, and how did it lead to what we see today? Also, congrats on turning 1! What an accomplishment for any small business!
Make My Day Design was born out of an interesting chain of events. It was the Spring of the second year of the Pandemic. I was working full time as a Physician Assistant in the local Emergency Department and in addition to the normal stressors of working in an ER, there were also the stressor of COVID and the politicization of medicine in general. In conjunction with that, I couldn’t do many of things I enjoyed; see friends, travel, or even go to the gym.
As you can imagine I was feeling very isolated and burnt out. I desperately needed something to bring me some joy and help me turn my brain off when I got home from work. Around the same time we had just moved into our first home and like every other woman in her 30s I had too many plants. So I decided to address both issues, and return to an old craft that I learned from my grandmother, Macrame, to make some plant hangers. I ordered some fun colored cord from Etsy and watched a YouTube video as a refresher and made my first plant hanger. Because I am a millennial I posted the finished plant hanger on social media and the responses I received was overwhelmingly positive. Dozens of people reached out to me over a few days requesting the same plant hanger. Then they started reaching out to me for different kinds of plant hangers in different colors. Then wall hangings. 6 weeks later I had probably sold over 200 pieces of macrame.
It was great to be creating again, and connecting with all of these different people while bringing them comfort…things that had originally made me gravitate towards medicine. So I decided to really lean into it and create a business. I named my business Make My Day Design as an homage to its purpose and what it did for me: bring joy, and celebrate boldness. I was so excited to celebrate Make My Day Design’s first Birthday in July and looking forward to the upcoming year. I have a lot of big plans.
Wonderful! Also, another congrats is in order for your work being seen at the Persist Art Show. What was that experience like?
Thank you for that! It was a very surreal experience that caused me to grow quite a bit. First and foremost, the idea that someone would reach out to me for my art to be on display in an Art Show blew my mind. The day I got the message I was practically floating. To add to that, the show highlighted women artists in the Berkshires which was an empowering and uplifting experience. It brought me a lot of joy to meet all of these other women artists and see their work as well as see how they are just totally crushing life, motherhood, running a business, or going to school. As a non-classically trained artist (no art school, no art degree, etc) I had to face a lot of imposter syndrome that developed from my own narrow beliefs of what a “real artist” is. I also had to get used how vulnerable I felt about people and artists in my community knowing my name, looking at my art, having reactions to it, and then talking to them about it. I love being anonymous but it’s hard to do that, both in the Berkshire in general, and if you want to get your art out there. But without discomfort, there is no growth and I am just as grateful for the uncomfortable things that came. Overall it was an extremely validating and fun experience and the organizer, Elizabeth Nelson was a joy to work with and impressively organized and devoted to the show.
What has been a favorite part of the journey of creating this business? Unexpected part?
If I am being honest with myself, one of my favorite parts are the connections I’ve made with local makers, artists, store owners and citizens of the community. I have met so many amazing, driven, kind, smart, talented people through my Macrame, that I do not think I would have otherwise.
I moved a lot when I was younger so I never put roots down anywhere. I was always just passing through. But becoming a part of this community with my art and business changed something for me. I feel at home, and motivated to support the community that has generously supported me.
In terms of the unexpected part, I would say it’s how quickly my business has grown/progressed. Where I am currently with my business and art, is where I had originally expected to be in 3-5 years. I have had to recalibrate my work/life schedule to accommodate orders and markets. I have also had to learn to say no to things because I am a one woman show (for now) and am playing the long game and don’t want to burn out.
What’s one of your favorite spots in the Berkshires to tell people about?
That is so hard for me to narrow it down but going with my gut, It’s a tie….and they both involve food and bev. Mooncloud in Great Barrington is a complete masterpiece. The moody midcentury modern space, the balanced cocktails, the curated assortment of food, the kind staff, all spectacular.
The second is The Lost Lamb. Heavenly and elegant pastries in an adorable white and red Parisian-inspired corner cafe in Stockbridge. Everything is handmade daily by owner and Pastry chef Claire who is only in her early 20s. I adore her story as much her food, along with what she has accomplished. Unbeknownst to her, her journey also gave me some of the courage to create my own small business.
What is a message you want to spread those in the Berkshires and beyond?
I feel like some big and exciting changes are coming to The Berkshires. I can already see them happening after living here for only a few years. Antique storefronts, condo buildings, trains from NYC, drag shows, Pride parades, comedy clubs, breweries, venues. This volcano of new life and youthful creativity is building, and I am totally here for it.
You can follow Toula and Make My Day Design on Instagram here.
