12 Days of a Mitten Crafted Christmas
Dec. 17 - Llewminate Lighting Meet & Greet and 10% off LL all day! All Artisan Meet & Greets are from 4PM-6PM at the boutique refreshments provided.
Meet Marianne, the Artisan behind Llewminate Lighting.
Tell us a little about yourself:
Three years ago I moved from Chicago to Hastings, and my then 13 yr old niece insisted I was having a mid-life crisis. Not how I would characterize it, but her reasoning was solid. Up until that point I was her crazy Aunt Mare who traveled the world, lived in big cities and made a lot of money "doing stuff with websites and computers". She wasn't the only one who was pretty shocked by how my life was changing. Consider these facts: - I have a BS in math from the University of Notre Dame - I have a MBA from the University of Chicago - I spent 14+ years living in San Francisco and Chicago influencing the overall direction of digital marketing/analytics software, and consulting with Fortune 500 companies on how to best leverage their digital data And now.... - I make one-of-a-kind light fixtures using found objects and recycled materials Some other tidbits: - I am an amateur photographer - I couldn't be more single - I have a yorkiepoo named Betty - I am an extreme introvert - I love my family more than anything, which is why I moved to Hastings to live near them.
Home Town:
While I was born in Grosse Pointe, I consider my hometown to be Chagrin Falls, Ohio. We moved there when I was in fourth grade. It's an amazing little village on the east side of Cleveland.
Tell us about your Mitten crafted specialty:
My llewminations, as I call them, are comprised mostly of found objects (some rusty, some not) and recycled materials (e.g. aluminum cans, plastic bottles, plastic milk jugs, etc). Many of them are adorned using magnets, so they can be changed with the season or your style. While I love looking through all my "stuff" to come up with new lights, I also enjoy working with my clients to create something specific for their tastes and spaces. Either way, I create them out of my home as well as a studio I have at my parents' new home.
What inspires you?:
Creative problem solving probably inspires me more than anything else. I am also very visual. So, I spend a lot of time in the digital world thinking about how I can create beautiful fixtures from the random lot of "stuff" I have to work with.
What is your favorite Michigan Christmas Activity?:
Spending quality time with my family.
What are three things you can't live without?:
The interwebs Coffee Carbonated beverages.
Who is your favorite Michigan artist or artisan?:
Todd and Brad Reed Photography and From My Hand to Yours. Sorry - couldn't pick just one...
Why do you buy local?:
I am trying to be more mindful when it comes to buying local. In my previous life I did 100% of my shopping online - even my groceries! It's been a challenge breaking that habit, but I am working on it! I plan on getting the bulk of my Christmas gifts from local businesses this season.
What is your most memorable and favorite family Christmas tradition?:
Waiting at the top of the stairs with my sister while our mom and dad turned on the tree lights and got everything just right before they called for us to come down. Now we do the same thing with my niece and nephew!
Connect with LLEWMINATE LIGHTING on facebook
Upcoming Events: Dec. 18 - ArtGoodies Meet & Greet and 10% off ATG all day! Dec. 19 - CASignDesign 10% off CAS all day!
All Artisan Meet & Greets are from 4PM-6PM at the boutique refreshments provided.
Stop in and see us soon!
XOXO
Amber J.