When I was younger I wanted to be an actor, and a teacher. Somehow, I feel like I am both those things - but not in ways that I ever imagined.
Hi, I’m Ellie.
A textile artist, writer, photographer, and problem solver. I’ve been running my own creative business for about 16 years.
I don’t know the exact date I started, because it happened randomly one day. Without me even knowing that’s what I was doing.
I've taught myself a lot of things that I now know on how to run a business. As well as done a lot of online business training. And constant searching, reading, learning, making mistakes.
Quite a lot of mistakes. Some cost me time, energy, effort, some cost me money.
Like the $5000 (which was a lot of money in 2010!) I spent on a website that wasn’t really what I wanted or needed. I realise now that the person didn’t ask me what my needs were, and just made something that they thought I’d like.
This is part of why I made the important decision that I’d never do that for someone I was teaching, and guiding through starting, growing, and building stages of their own business.
It’s hard for me to truely explain how much I want to make sure that any and every step of the process of learning with me is exactly what you need.
I grew up in a simple way, with parents who encouraged my siblings and me to pursue our creative dreams, without pushing anything on us.
Growing up in the rainforest, with an outside composting toilet, nature at the doorstep (and if we’re being honest here, often inside the house too), and lots of books, music, craft, laughing and learning, I have always known that life, business, creative passions and messy houses can go hand-in-hand.
My mum was a yoga teacher, a potter, a dreamer. She used to garden naked, knit with colourful yarns, make things with giant wonky stitches, and create the best meals for us.
My dad was a carpenter, who played the saxophone and drew, fixed our cars, taught me about art and music. He built our house with second-hand materials.
Together my parents gave us warmth, colour, excitement, creativity, handmade bowls and cups, nourishing food.
I have grown my business with children at my side since day one. We lived for 18-months with no electricity or running water, while we built our own house.
My husband and I have run businesses together, creating this life, home, family, and income alongside each other.
Life is far from fancy, or easy. Or all wonderful all the time. But what I’m saying is - I’ve lived this rich, creative life, built a business that supports my family, while staying true to my ethos of slow, simple, mindful living.
