Meet the Makers: Vanessa of Blissful Loops

These blissful loops safeguard big dreams.

What do you make? How did you get into it?
I make bohemian-inspired accessories like flower crowns and dreamcatchers. Right now, Im focused on making dreamcatchers as accessories and as home decor. It actually started as a personal project, I call it my “happiness project” which served as my outlet and de-stress therapy. I thought it’s a good hobby or alternative activity outside my day job. Then I started posting my works online, and it picked up x number of likes, my family and friends started asking if I can make some for them too, and for their friends, and for a friend of a friend and so on. Until early last year, I finally put my online store up via instagram and facebook. Few months after, I had the courage to join bazaars and mini craft markets and have never been this excited.

Are you a full-time crafter? If not, what is your day job?
I currently work for a foreign bank, Im part of the Corporate Banking team. Mondays to Fridays I face numbers and graphs, and charts and excel files and emails and phone calls. So I always look forward to the weekend to face beads, charms and do some dream-weaving.

Meet Vanessa–the woman whose big dreams are behind her brand of handmade dreamcatchers and accessories–Blissful Loops.

What motivates you in pursuing this business?
It kept me sane. I really think Im more of a right-brained person all along. I don’t want to sound dramatic but crafting gives me a sense of peace and satisfaction, especially when other people appreciates your craft – let alone actually buying from me – just the simple compliments, means A LOT to me already.

What are some of the challenges of maintaining a craft business?
Time and mood swings (haha). Since I have a day job, I only have weekends for crafting and since the process is also meticulous (plus the fact that Im very particular about design and color combinations) I must really dedicate time for it and I must be in the mood to work on it. Otherwise, my outputs would look ridiculous. Swear. I wish the magic of cramming applies to my craft too.

Check out this pretty dreamcatcher bracelet.

What’s a new skill–craft or business–that you’d like to learn?
I’d like to learn crocheting as I can incorporate it to dreamcatchers, also basic silversmithing or jewelry making – to further improve the quality of my accessories.

What’s your most recent craft business milestone?
It’s not really recent, but it was when Ms. Sarah Meier noticed and actually bought flower crowns from me. Then she wore it and posted it online. It was really overwhelming. I personally look up to her, been following her on Instagram too because I really admire her for her artistry, distinct taste and authenticity. That’s why when she took notice of my work, it really made my day and brought me a year’s worth of good vibes.

Dreamcatchers make for pretty hair accessories too.

What is your favorite lesson in your experience of your business?
Pay it forward. This business has proven to me many times that you just have to allow the blessings flow through you to reach other people and He’ll never leave you empty handed. It has been really a humbling experience for me.

What craft business advice can you share with other aspiring entrepreneurs?
Just stick to it. If there are times or circumstances that make you doubt your skill, go back to the very reason why you started it in the first place. Because if we don’t believe in our craft, then who else will?

Watch out for this logo at this weekend’s Maker’s Market, and get these loops of bliss that nice dreams are made of.

Um, if you were a craft tool, what would you be? And why?
I’d like to be a round nose pliers, a reminder than even the toughest wire can bend. It allows you to transform a plain wire to something more useful like head pins, hooks, loops, or whatever that matches exactly what you need, but without the need of cutting it or reducing its length. For me, it could serve as a positive reinforcement of the bends, twists, curves and loops that we have to undergo to become better versions of ourselves without the cuts – just a little bit of bruises (and numbness).

Who’s getting first dibs on these beauties this weekend?

What can we expect to see from you guys at the upcoming Maker’s Market?
Latest designs of our dreamcatchers will be launched in this month’s Maker’s Market. Plus a lot of good vibes and positive energy! It will be our first time to join this bunch and we’re extremely excited.

Where else can we find your work?
Blissful Loops is still mainly an online shop, but we’re available 24/7. You can always reach us through our instagram and facebook pages. But we’re trying our (very) best to join markets regularly and we’ll certainly keep you posted! Just watch out for our online announcements!

This rustic ones looks lovely. Watch out for these this weekend!