For the past few years, my work has centered around one idea: take materials that would otherwise be discarded and turn them into something people actually want to use.
I have primarily focused on jewelry: earrings, bracelets, and sometimes necklaces. I have also toyed with plant hangers from time to time.
Before Cravn, I spent over a decade working at a garden center. A lot of my designs are inspired by that time, botanical shapes, natural textures, and earthy colors. So it felt pretty natural when, eventually, those two worlds, plants and upcycled materials, came together.
Where Plant Hangers First Took Root
A few years ago, I was given a batch of large leather scraps from a bookbinder in Brandon, Vermont. Unlike the smaller pieces I typically use for jewelry, these were big enough to experiment with.
So I started playing.
I tweaked a template I found online to make it my own and played around with a couple of other designs. They were different than what you could find in stores, which were typically macrame, ceramic, or plastic.
Whenever I had enough usable scraps to make a small batch, I’d bring them to markets and they’d sell quickly. There was clearly something there.
But like many ideas in a small business, it had to take a back seat.
Large scraps weren’t always easy to source, and at the same time, my interchangeable stud earrings were taking off. So plant hangers got put on the back burner
A Spark (Re)Ignited
Last April, I was accepted as a vendor at a home and plant-focused market. I made a fresh batch of plant hangers, and once again, the response was immediate.
That moment brought it all back.
There was demand. There was excitement. And more importantly, it felt aligned with where I wanted to grow.
So in the fall, I applied to JumpStart, a 13-week entrepreneurial bootcamp for product-based businesses hosted at Generator Makerspace.
I applied with the hope I’d get in and could work on refining and expanding my plant hanger line and I got in!
Building Something Better
JumpStart is a free, hands-on program designed to guide entrepreneurs from prototype to launch. Lead by Emily Eley an anti-capitalist business coach, who is amazing, click on her name to learn more about her.
Over 13 weeks, I worked through:
- Marketing, Finance and pricing strategy
- Production and scalability
- Market Research
- Product refinement and testing
Alongside live curriculum, there was group learning, 1:1 support, and access to an incredible creative community.
And then there was the space itself.
Generator is a 12,000+ square foot makerspace in Burlington’s South End, filled with tools, equipment, and people who know how to use them.
That access changed everything.
I went from using paper templates (which… worked, but barely) to creating precise acrylic templates using a laser cutter so I could make better cuts at home. I also was able to source vegetable-tanned leather that could safely be cut on the laser, something that’s not possible with chemically treated leather.
That shift alone improved both efficiency and consistency in production. Plus I was able to design and make a couple styles that I wouldn’t have been possible to hand cut.
But beyond the tools, it was the environment being surrounded by people building, testing, and problem-solving—that pushed me to think bigger about what this product could be.
The Collection
What started as a side experiment is now a full collection of upcycled plant hangers.
- Multiple sizes
- Three new styles
- Refined construction
- Same commitment to using reclaimed materials
They’re lightweight but strong, minimal but functional, designed to hold your plants without overwhelming your space.
- A modern alternative to macramé.
- A sustainable alternative to plastic.
- A simple way to bring intention into your home.
Launching at Bloom
I’ll be launching this collection at the Bloom Home & Garden Market next weekend, and then online sales will start on May 1.
This has been a long time coming, years of small experiments, pauses, pivots, and finally, a focused push to bring it all together.
I’m really excited (and a little nervous) to share these new styles and hear what you think.
If you’re local, come see them in person at Bloom (tickets are starting to sell out).
If not, keep an eye out for the online launch.
And as always, thanks for being here and supporting work that’s made thoughtfully, from what already exists.