As you know by now, I love sharing about companies and products we love on the blog and our Instagram - and most especially those made right here in New England. It’s been a little while since I’ve done an interview on the blog in our New England Maker Series, but I’m excited to get back into it with Heather of Mermaids + Madeleines!

Heather Auclair of Mermaids + Madeleines is best known for her coastal-inspired handmade jewelry and fun watercolors. 5% of each purchase is donated to aid in sea life rescue and rehabilitation efforts - I just love a company that gives back!

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your business.

I’m Heather, a native of Maine, currently living life in Massachusetts with my husband and two rescue kitties. I’ve always enjoyed creating art. Whether it’s drawing, painting, crafting, or designing jewelry. I’m happiest when I’m making something,. I was lucky to grow up in a creative family and community by the ocean. I don’t think I realized how special it was until moving away. Mermaids + Madeleines is inspired by the ever-changing color and light of the coast. We’re so lucky in New England to have such a fascinating coastline. From place-to-place, no location is exactly alike in looks or atmosphere. Each spot has its own little charm and I find that totally uplifting. I try to capture this mix of joy and sense of ease in my works.

New England Maker: Mermaids + Madeleines

How did you start Mermaids + Madeleines? Had you been making jewelry for awhile or was this a new leap for you?

Mermaids + Madeleines started at a friend’s kitchen table (Hi Dana). We were both working at our own full-time jobs and not necessarily feeling completely fulfilled by them. What started as a creative/craft night once a week slowly bloomed into our own side businesses. I had always made some kind of jewelry, I think it started with embroidery floss bracelets at recess in grade school, and slowly morphed into beaded things. I kind of ebbed and flowed back into it after I started a program for advertising design at RISD. I took an elective in jewelry design and light metals and fell in love with it all over again. I quickly changed my concentration and began learning some benchwork skills, design, and technical drawing. I was lucky enough to land a job in commercial jewelry before graduating. First, starting out in costume jewelry and working my way over to find jewelry. While it’s great being able to pursue an interest and find a job that will pay you for it, to me, it just doesn’t come with the same creative freedom, or feel as rewarding as doing your own thing.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I try my best to start each day with some kind of movement, even if it’s only for 15-20 minutes, a barre class, a quick yoga, tabata, - something to get my mind and body moving first thing helps me to be more present and engaged the rest of the day. After having way too many nearly all-nighters for someone that is no longer in their 20’s I’ve started to try to be better about balancing work days and using the time I have. Mondays I do the (for me) dreaded stuff - like filling out inventory sheets, entering receipts, and ordering materials if needed. Tuesday and Wednesday, I like to use as creative days to design and fulfill orders, Thursday is usually a catch-up day for anything that can’t wait until the next week and straightening out the usual creative explosion I’ve created Tuesday and Wednesday. I run my little micro-business out of our (still functional) spare bedroom in our apartment so Friday-Sunday I try to keep my artsplosions to a minimum so it’s presentable for guests.

What is your favorite part about owning your own company? And least favorite part?

My very favorite part is when a customer reaches out, tags me in a post, or leaves a sweet review or message that the piece they received was exactly what they had been looking for, either as a gift or a treat for themselves. Being able to bring joy and happiness to someone through something you’ve made is one of the best feelings. In general, so far, I’ve loved owning my own business a little more than I expected to. It challenges me in ways I didn’t expect, and has forced me to learn and begin developing skills in areas I would have naturally been able to avoid, continuing to only work for someone else. Having said that, there are definitely aspects that aren’t my favorite. Logging inventory, dealing with accounting, and staring at spreadsheets isn’t really my cup of tea. If that were someone else’s job it would be way more fun, but I do think there’s a lot of value in gaining understanding about these less enjoyable parts of owning a business.

What has been the most exciting moment for Mermaids + Madeleines since you started?

I don’t know if I can pick just one exciting moment. I feel like there have been several. The first sale on Etsy, first show, first wholesale order. Finally receiving official paperwork in the mail - making things seem a little more real. There really is a moment or something to be excited about every day, even when it’s something small.

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What advice do you have for people just starting out?

My advice is something that everyone says, and it’s the hardest advice to take: “Just start.” It’s so intimidating to put yourself out there. You’ll want everything to be perfect before it’s in front of people, and you can live forever in the phase of “it’s almost ready,” if you’re not careful. It’s easy to hide behind “not yet” but it won’t help you or your business grow. Plus, if you launch while you’re still building it gives you space and room to iterate, and alter without being too deeply invested in something that the market may not have interest in.

What is your long-term goal? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I would love to continue building the brand and create an independent website, not just relying on Etsy for sales (though I’m very grateful to that platform). I’d also like to branch into more art and accessories and eventually expand into more wholesale as well - working with small boutiques up and down the coast.

Who’s one of your favorite New England Makers?

I have so many favorite makers... all for different reasons, it's hard to pick just one, so I'll have to share the two that helped my business get started. Dana of Dana Kristen Creates was instrumental in the start of my maker journey with our Thursday night hangouts and continues to be an awesome friend and creative! Alana, of A&E Stoneworks was also pivotal in getting me to make that Etsy shop go live! I met her at an event and she encouraged me to just go for it. There have been, and continue to be so many I'm grateful for, including: Mary of On The Road Again, Lynn from Love Lissy Lou, Rachel from Little Lavender Lobster, Christine from Sea Crow Company, and Marie from Pieces of Maine Jewelry, and so many more... I could probably fill your entire blog post with names!

Keep Up with Mermaids + Madeleines

All photos courtesy of Mermaids + Madeleines

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