We recently connected with The Loopy Spoonie and have shared our conversation below.
The Loopy Spoonie, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
At face value, I may seem to be the only one in the room that looks like me, but that doesn’t mean I’m the only one in the building who does. Meaning that, it could feel like I’m creating for an extremely specific type of person, and that type of person may not be within eyesight so it may look futile. But that doesn’t mean that type of person isn’t out there somewhere, looking for exactly the type of work I’m specializing in.
This is even more true as a business owner with multiple “invisible” illnesses. Just because it initially looks like I’m the only one in the room like me, doesn’t mean there aren’t others in that same room who share equally “invisible” similarities to me that mightn’t be noticeable at a glance, and who wouldn’t also benefit from what I’m working to achieve.
Keeping these in mind plays a large role in continuing to pursue success.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
One of the first questions I usually get is: “Why the name? What even is a spoonie?” To that I’ll say: In the chronic illness world, a Spoonie refers to: Any individual who is living with a chronic illness, and so has a limited amount of spoons (energy) to use each day.
In being a spoonie who lives with multiple chronic illnesses, I jump (metaphorically of course) at the opportunity to spread disability awareness, specifically when it comes to accessibility. Being able to do this, while creating is an adventure I’m eager to share with you!
Despite always being a creative, it wasn’t until a bit over 14yrs ago that I started actively using that creative energy to cope and pass time during treatments. At the time it was primarily fiber arts that captivated and inspired me to adapt knitting and crochet into something accessible for me. Over the years, this has quickly expanded into other art styles and industries as my needs and abilities have shifted via the progression of my chronic illnesses.
When it comes to the Bath & Body focus, As someone with multiple (seemingly millions) of allergies, I’ve honestly always been drawn to the world of homemade bath & body. Especially from an artistic standpoint, and the scientific customization aspect.
As I researched and learned the intricacies of cosmetic/soap chemistry, it solidified my goal of formulating in a way that actively takes accessibility and transparency in mind. Particularly when it comes to sensitive skin (i.e. allergens, sensory needs), and diverse mobility needs.
A few way’s I’m achieving this is by: creating both unscented and scented products, not using peanut/treenut oils or butters related to latex allergies, launching a line of soaps in different widths for adaptive gripping etc.
Being able to weave artistry into all this, makes this even more fulfilling for me!
When it comes to the Wire Wrapping, it actually began as a way to retrain and strengthen my hands after a Lupus flare left me feeling weaker than ever and with decreased dexterity. Reaching a level of proficiency with it, where I have the freedom to create whatever came to mind from just a gemstone and a few pieces of wire, has helped immensely to balance burnout and sustain my creative energy.
And because I value accessibility, I started focusing on ways to make my wire works as mobility and sensory friendly as possible. A few ways I’ve done that is by only using hypoallergenic metals, having the option for magnetic clasps, offering pendant chains that are smooth to the touch and don’t snag on hair clothes, only making ear pieces that don’t require a piercing etc…
This year is going to see a lot of new products especially on the bath & body side (i.e. a beard/hair care line), an expansion to the wire works (i.e. adjustable versions of current rings), and some digital content in terms of republishing my knitting patterns, and the publication of new Wire Wrapping patterns. I’m really looking forward to sharing it all everyone!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1) A genuine willingness to learn and recognize that learning never ends
-For this I always try to remind people that it’s important to tap into what originally made you want to learn whatever you specialize in, use that to drive you to keep growing because there’s always something new to be learned in any industry
2) Recognizing that some days you just don’t have the creative or general energy, and it’s okay to not force it
-For this I’d say it’s important to remember that you’re human, preschedule some time for doing nothing, or for doing something unrelated to your business if that’s what it takes to let you step back and not force the creativity. Doing this enough times, will help in eventually, on the days you don’t quite have it in you, just accepting that you can in fact just step back and recharge, without having to preschedule it.
3) Specifically for Bath & Body: Prioritizing creating informed recipes/formulas by understanding different ingredient properties, and how they potentially interact with each other.
-For this I’ll always advise to have a foundational knowledge of:
The main fatty acid profiles of an oil/butter (especially for soap making),
The functions of different ingredients in cosmetics (i.e. what’s a surfactant, what is a preservative etc), and
How to properly substitute ingredients safely/for stable formulas.
Whether it’s by reading from reputable authors, virtually learning from reputable makers in the industry, joining and/or participating in targeted groups online with experienced members, do whatever it takes to learn in a way that works for you!
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I do actually have plans to launch a series later this year that highlights different ways creatives and small business owners have found to make their respective arts/creative businesses accessible. Whether it be accessibility for the creator in the making of something, or accessibility on the recipient side, or ways they wish they could bring accessibility into their works.
I welcome interested collaborators to reach out via the contact me page on my website, via email, or via my business social media account! (www.theloopyspoonie.com/contact-me | [email protected] | @theloopyspoonie)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theloopyspoonie.com
- Instagram: @theloopyspoonie
- Facebook: @theloopyspoonie
- Youtube: @theloopyspoonie
- Other: Tiktok and Pinterest are also @theloopyspoonie Patreon launching in mid February @theloopyspoonie
Image Credits
All image credits go to: The Loopy Spoonie LLC
