One of the hardest things in the world is naming a business. I firmly believe that. It has to encompass the style of what you are selling, but I also think it should be meaningful to you and your story.
That being said, it took me several tries, but I think I got it right.
“The Sweetgum” is an homage to my childhood, and more specifically to my time as an only child. When you’re an only child you are often left to your own devices, and without siblings, you can end up finding friends in some interesting places…
You might find it strange, but when I was little, one of my BEST friends, was the big Sweetgum tree in our front yard.
I would sit in the tree (as you can see in the picture) for hours, and really loved it. There’s even an infamous story in our family of when the tree trimmers came to prune some branches, and I got very mad at them for “hurting” the tree. Let’s just say I wasn’t allowed outside while they were there…. 🙂
At any rate, while I thought the tree was my friend when I was little, in reality it was just my happy place! A place where I felt safe, comfortable, and at ease. Fast forward a few years, and I have found some new friends, and a new happy place: in yarn! Whether it is crocheting, knitting, or even sewing (which I am learning and still VERY new at), I get such an immense sense of joy and satisfaction when I finish a product. Even more rewarding and soothing is the process of creating that product.
More recently, my love for all things handmade/ homegrown has expanded to our whole lifestyle. My husband and I became interested in becoming more self-sustainable, and learning how to provide for our family through homesteading, and we one day hope to own our own farm, complete with a dairy cow! Until then, we work to source all our meat from local farms, grow our own vegetables, and make everything from scratch, whether it be hot sauce, pie crust, or fresh baked bread.
So, there you have it. That is how “The Sweetgum Spot” came to be. This business is my happy place, and while the name means a lot to me, I also think it encompasses what I can offer to you — a way to find your happy place, whether that be wearing a new handmade hat, creating your own works of art from one of my patterns, or learning ways to live simply and with purpose. I hope you enjoy your visit, and let me know how I can help!