Meet Alex McLennan

We were lucky to catch up with Alex McLennan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Alex with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I think I’ve always had a strong work ethic (thanks, Mom and Dad!), and really started to cultivate it after college when I started working for a brand new & relatively rural wedding venue in the woods of Northern Minnesota, alongside three other women.  Together we did a lot of figuring it out & learning as we went along.  The almost six years I spent growing there taught me so many skills and lessons, in both life and work ethic, and I’m grateful for it.  I left there knowing I wanted to build something of my own that focused on my creative strengths. This has definitely come with its own set of challenges, but being able to take pride in what I am doing, and sharing what I love with a broader community, are big motivating factors in my desire to stick with it and continue forward.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I design and hand make all of my items with the intent of filling colorful, eclectic and sacred spaces we call home. Each piece is a reflection of a little part of me, whether that be funky, intricate, simple, earthy, or bright, and it’s incredibly special to me to be able to share that with others. I’ve really embraced disco over the last year or so, and have found myself incorporating it into my macrame plant hangers & sun catchers as often as possible. I’m also a big proponent of functional art, and have recently begun making hanging shelves, purses, napkin rings, and other home accessories.

My studio space doubles as my living room (no longer the other way around) and I hope to continue to grow to the point of being able to have a designated workspace outside of my home. But for now, I love being surrounded by the constant reminder that I am pursuing something that brings me joy. I am honored to sell wholesale through Faire, which has allowed me to be a part of over 50 stores across the United States, Canada, and France! Selling at markets has also been a truly wonderful experience, as it’s allowed me to connect with so many individuals within the community.

You can find me at Patchwork November 5, Creative Babe November 11, Jackalope Pasadena November 18 & 19, and Burbank December 9 & 10, and Dreamers December 16. Keep an eye on my instagram for the details!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Patience – learning a new skill, or expanding on an existing one, takes time, and a lot of trial and error.

Acceptance – not everything will work out, not everyone will like your work, and that is ok. Focus on those who do, and use those who didn’t as opportunities for growth and improvement. Your designs, especially the good ones, will get ripped off. It stings (and can be infuriating), but it’s also a sign that you’re doing something right (at least that’s what I tell myself).

Acknowledging limitations – whether that be time commitments, production capabilities, or anything else. Burnout is real, and it’s important to be honest about what you can reasonably accomplish without pushing it too far.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Always! I think it’s so magical when like-minded individuals come together and can share their experiences and knowledge, bounce ideas and inspirations, or combine skillsets to create something bigger. I’d love to start teaching more workshops, so if you have a space, or make something that pairs well with macrame, let’s chat! You can reach me at dapperhousemenagerie@gmail.com or shoot me a DM on Instagram.

Contact Info:

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