I am a sucker for crafts. I grew up in my small Eastern Washington town going to craft fairs with my Mom and could never get enough. The smells, colors, and unique handmade creations made my eyes and brain light up. There is something about when someone has a gift for creating beautiful things that I have always admired. This is why I wanted to sit down and talk with two local ladies I know that both run their own small businesses where creating is what they do. 

My first stop led me to Lettering by MM. The face behind this business is Molly Martin. I have seen her work firsthand at the studio I run, Hot Feet Fitness, because she draws and designs our community information board every month. She is a talented artist and her craft is calligraphy. Check out one of her designs in the picture below! 

I was able to snag some time away with Molly and this is what she had to share about her business. 

Q) What special dates or events do you have coming up?

I am currently taking custom orders. In the month of September I collaborated with Buttercup Event Co. to create signage for two weddings. In addition, I was able to work with family, in support their upcoming Ethiopian adoption, to create lettering goods for their fundraising event. Upcoming projects include baby shower signage, along with holiday cards.

Q) Any special notes from you the owner about the business or upcoming anniversaries/open houses? 

My business, Lettering by MM, was created after a boom of unexpected projects fled in from my work, family and friends. I have worked on a wide variety of projects over the past year that include logo creation, wedding signage, chalkboard art and greeting cards. 

Q) Have you added any new equipment or services in the past 6 months to offer our local Burien residents?

I absolutely love creating custom wood signs. Playing with different colors (think gold paint on gray wood!) has definitely been a fun creative outlet over the past few months.

Q) What else is new and exciting at your business? Why should people come see you?! 

Custom orders, let’s collaborate and create something beautiful!

You have to check out her work. She's on Instagram at handle @letteringbymm or you can email her at letteringbymm@gmail.com with any questions about what Molly can do for you! 

Next on the Seen stop brought me to Lock + Keep. How cool of a name is that? Lock + Keep's Glass + Brass signs are handcrafted by Qui Moede from 90% salvaged materials with words of your choice in modern calligraphy. These bespoke keepsakes are one-of-a-kind thanks to different frames, chains, and words. Here's what Qui had to say about her business. 

Q: What special dates or events do you have coming up?
I'm gearing up for holiday projects and orders. Last winter kept me busy with creative custom orders for Glass + Brass signs, tailor-made with family names, important dates, and seasonal quotes. Mirrored-mercury and frosted glass finishes are bigger sellers around the holidays. During summer and fall I'm busier with the paper side of Lock + Keep, which is mainly modern calligraphy on place cards and table signage for weddings, showers, and corporate events.  

Q: Any special notes from you the owner about the business or upcoming anniversaries/open houses? 
As much as I enjoy having a creative outlet for my own sanity, it's important to me that my creative abilities serve as a form of activism and compassion. To that end, I kicked off the year with a month-long fundraiser by making a series of Glass + Brass signs dedicated 100% to charity, and raised nearly $2,000 with the help of the 20+ people who purchased those signs. I'm hoping to do a similar fundraiser in 2018. In the meantime, 10% of all Lock + Keep proceeds are donated to charity. I try to choose a different organization each month including local nonprofits, and have donated a couple signs for auctions.  

And while I love making and selling my signs with words and quotes that speak to my own heart, it's equally refreshing to collaborate with clients who commission signs. From commemorating adoptions, to anniversary gifts and wedding quotes, I feel like a partner in designing highly personalized touch stones. 

I've only been doing this for about a year and a half, and now that I'm hot off maternity leave with our second kiddo, am more than ever figuring out how to blend creative endeavors with the hustle of motherhood. I have aspirations for Lock + Keep that extend well into the future. In 2018, I'll roll out different materials beyond Glass + Brass, and starter kits for projects that can be completed at home by the customer. 

Q: Have you added any new equipment or services in the past 6 months to offer our local Burien residents?
I'm constantly looking for ways to improve the quality and craftsmanship of my signs, while keeping my costs down. With that in mind, I'm now offering calligraphy on glass, which is a faster method than painstakingly hand painting every letter, and allows for more words to fit within each frame. More bang for your buck. 

Local peeps and businesses within striking distance also have the option of commissioning larger pieces that would otherwise be costly to ship, not too mention fragile. 

Q: What else is new and exciting at your business? Why should people come see you?! 
All current frame options are stashed in my in-home studio. I love showing off inventory that's pre-made and ready to buy, but also the raw materials you can select to co-create a piece with me. After I get my feet back under me with two kids I hope to partner with a local shop for wholesale signs, pitch a tent at a farmers market or two, and throw my hat in the ring at one of Seattles many fine craft shows. I might even make an appearance at a craft bazaar or two this holiday season.

Interested in getting a custom design for yourself or for a gift? Feel free to contact Qui for a custom order via email at qui@lockandkeep.com and follow her on Instagram at handle: @lockandkeep.

Thanks for stopping by the Seen this week!

Biography
Teanna Gentry is a health and wellness guru from the Pacific Northwest who has a passion for helping people find freedom in movement. She was an all conference Track and Field athlete at Eastern Washington University from 2003-2007 and has since coached and trained athletes and clients of all ages in the greater Puget Sound area in running, yoga, speed/agility/quickness, and total wellness. Teanna is a certified yoga and barre instructor, a health coach, as well as an avid lover of the outdoors. She is most often seen around Hot Feet Fitness or running around town with her husband, toddler, and newborn.