Falling Back in Love with Making

I created the original wooden Hazelmade sign 8 years ago. A friend made the wooden a-frame for me and I painted each side by hand with my then-current designs of a geometric pattern and flowers. I loved the process of painting and carving out the time to meticulously add details and dimension to create this one-of-a-kind sign. It felt like the perfect sign for Hazelmade. Like the products in my line, I had taken the time to create a something that I was proud to use. My sign made me proud every time I unloaded it from my car and set it up.

However, in the past 8 years, my designs have changed and my market sign needed to change as well. Hazelmade's aesthetics have grown and I felt that the painted designs on my wooden sign did not reflect my current work. Over the years my branding has moved towards clean lines and a neutral palette to let each product's design shine. And, the wooden sign was heavy to load into the car and blew over easily in the wind. I decided it was time to invest in a new sign that would be more functional and reflect the current aesthetic of Hazelmade.

After 10 years of business, I felt pressure that I shouldn't need to make things for my business by hand. I felt like it made sense that I was painting my own sign during year 2, but now during year 10,  I was a “grown-up business” and should buy a professionally-made sign. However, after getting a few quotes, I realized signs are really expensive! So, I started researching options for a DIY solution. 

 

I found a blank metal sign that was lightweight but durable and wouldn't blow over on windy days. I designed a graphic and locally sourced weatherproof vinyl. Once all the pieces arrived, I dusted off my ruler and hand tools and got to work.

After a couple of hours on a Saturday morning at my dining room table, I came out with a sign with a clean, clear design that's lightweight and sturdy. I'm proud I didn't just buy a sign because I ended up with a gorgeous, “grown-up” looking sign. When I set it up for markets, I feel the same pride that I did with my old wooden sign. More than the sign itself, though, I rediscovered that I miss the process of making. I started Hazelmade because I loved making beautiful, functional pieces. However, as the brand has grown, I find myself doing more tasks that keep me away from this hands-on work. Making this sign reminded me that I want to be intentional about setting aside time where I create.