Meet Hannah McBride

We recently connected with Hannah McBride and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Growing up, it was hard for me to decide what I wanted to do or what my purpose was. Even once I was considered a full adult, I still didn’t know what my purpose was. I have always loved creating art but I didn’t feel art was my purpose alone. I fell in love with the witchy world of crystals, nature, metaphysical and magick. As I learned more about that, I began to realize that I wanted to create things using the knowledge that I had of sewing and art–related to crystals, metaphysical and magick. I originally opened a shop called Smoky Quartz Queen, where I sold crystals and a few handmade necklaces but after a couple years of doing that, I realized that I still wasn’t completely fulfilling my purpose. After a break and some thought, I decided to rebrand and pull together everything that I love to bring Forest Spells to life. While I thought that I had found my purpose with Smoky Quartz Queen, it didn’t truly come together for me until after the re-branding and creation of Forest Spells. Now I can share everything that I make and everything that I love, all from one place, while hoping that people find enjoyment out of it just like I do!

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
What do I do? Well, I create and hand select vintage and crystals!

I learned how to sew from my late grandmother when I was young. When she passed, I was given her sewing machine. It’s an amazing feeling being able to sew on my grandma’s machine, knowing that she would have been fascinated in and proud of what I was creating.

I make grimoire bookmarks, to tarot/oracle card pouches, crystal pouches, dog/cat bandanas, coasters and more. But I don’t just sew for my shop, I also create witchy themed digital art that I sell as prints and stickers, and I make crystal jewelry.

When I am thrifting vintage pieces for my shop, creating art, or sewing, I am at peace. I hope to spread that grounded, tranquil energy throughout my shop and items.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three qualities that have kept me going are: Stubbornness, determination and happiness. Ultimately, I am doing what makes me happy by selecting crystals and creating things for my shop, and it is that happiness that truly keeps me going. But sometimes I compare my progress to other shops like my own and get discouraged. And it is the stubbornness and determination that comes in to play there, helping me to continue with my small business journey.

I am also early in my journey, so it is hard for me to have very much advice other than, if this is what you are truly meant to do, you will do it and stick to it through it all.

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?
Yes! I am always looking to collaborate with shops like mine. Witchy, crystal and handmade shops with a similar vibe. I would like to find other small businesses that want to connect and grow together, create things in collaboration or even do collaborative giveaways together on Instagram. Even if they don’t wish to collaborate, I would love to connect and follow each other along our journeys. If you are reading this and would like to collaborate or connect, please feel free to reach out to me through Instagram!

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