Maker Monday: Herbalight
My name is Fanny, I am a 25-year-old entrepreneur. I love to create, share knowledge and connect with others. The art and products that I make are centered around self-care and well-being in all their forms. I know life isn't always easy for everyone but it takes that little thing to boost up your spirit and to bring you happiness and peace. That is why I do what I do, so that the feeling I have when using/looking at my creations, others can have too. Little is all about the little things, and it doesn't take much to make others happy. I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur and work for myself, but I never knew in what business venture I would dive into. I just knew that I wanted to make others happy, share my talents, and connect. Herbalight brings me all the aspects I was looking for.
What do you make? I make handcrafted herbal products. They vary from herb jars to infused oils, bath salts/bath shots, herb kits, tea, necklaces, and yoni steams (from now). I have started my business almost a year ago. I decided to start selling some of my creations since I have started creating these a while ago and they have brought such amazing energy into my home and life.
When did you first become inspired to start creating? Almost a year ago, during covid, we've spent a lot of time at home and with ourselves so it gave me the time to start creating beneficial products for self-care and decoration for the home that would bring joy.
What is art to you personally? A form of meditation. A way to express yourself and to connect with your creativeness.
Why do you create? I create because it brings me immense joy it puts me into a flow state.
Tell us about the progress you've made since you first started I have perfected my craft, I have better knowledge of all my ingredients and the benefits they bring
How have your life experiences influenced your art style? It has influenced me because, over the years, I realized how much it is important to take good care of yourself, mentally physically, and spiritually. Having some me time, pampering yourself, dedicating a routine for your self-care, and having things around you that make you happy and lift you up in all ways.
If you had all the resources in the world (time, money, etc) would you still make the kind of art you make? Definitely! I would constantly travel around the world to find new magical herbs to work with to include in my craft.
What does success mean to you? Success is having a plan in mind and giving your all to reach it. No matter how hard it may be, to always keep trying. That's what success is to me.
Were you born an artist or made an artist? For me, I was born an artist. Even little I use to paint, draw and create all the time. Amazing how a hobby of mine turned into my own business.
What is your favorite tool/thing to work with? My favorite thing to work with is herbs! I love the magic and benefits behind each one of them!
Name a material that you refuse to work with. Any chemicals. I insist on having natural products.
Which of the pieces you've created is your favorite? My infused oils
How have other artists influenced your work? Other artists have influenced my work by believing in their craft and putting themselves out there!
How would you describe your aesthetic? My aesthetic is vibrant and colorful.
What is your favorite genre of art? As a creator, I love every type of art! But if I had to choose one I would say painting.
When did you realize you wanted to become a creator? I realized I wanted to create handcrafted herbal products and body products when I saw the joy it brought me from making them for myself so I wanted to share my products with the world.
What are your hobbies? My hobbies outside of making my herbal products is to paint.
If you were a canvas, what would be your color palette? All the shades of pink because the color pink is associated with love, femininity, and kindness.
What keeps you up at night? What really keeps me up at night is the ideas I get for my business. I tend to become more creative at night time and that's the moment I get the most creative ideas.
Who is your dream collaborator? My dream collaborator is the business Girl Crush. I love the entrepreneurs behind this company and the creative content they constantly put out.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? In 5 to 10 years, I see my business prospering and being able to have a store where I sell my products.
What advice would your current self give your beginner self? Put yourself out there and don't be shy to make connections.
How did you come up with your business name? I came up with the name Herbalight because my products are made with herbs and I describe the way I came up with the idea of a ray of 'light', so I joined the 2 names and it give me Herbalight :)
Who are your favorite creators on social media? @ohm_sense , @aaliyah_gardens, @lenamahfouf
Describe your creative process I make sure I deep clean and cleanse my workspace, take out all my tools and let the creativity flow through me.
You’re at a dinner party and someone asks what you do. How do you describe what you do? I describe what I do by saying I make handcrafted herbal products that each one can benefit from, whether it is spiritually physically, or mentally. All of my products are made with the intention of adding love, healing, and abundance to each person using them.
Which of your habits help and which hinder your creativity? The habit that helps me with my creativity is to take good care of myself because I need to be in a good place mentally to make the best products. My habit that hinders my creativity is to overthink about my work or any other aspects instead of just going with the flow of things, to create, and not think too much into it.
Have you taken classes or are you self-taught? I am self-taught :)
What is your favorite painting or sculpture? My favorite painting is a painting I made myself. The reason it is my favorite is that I have seen the evolution of my work, throughout all the days I took to paint it and the emotion of satisfaction it brought me. When I paint it is really a form of meditation for me, where I focus on my feelings and emotions and let the brush do its work.
What is your favorite material to work with? My favorite thing to work with is herbs! I love the magic and benefits behind each one of them!
Do you listen to music while you create? What kind? Yes, I listen to R&B, Hip-Hop, Rap
Is your business where you hope it would be? Definitely! My business grew a lot in this past year and I am so grateful for everyone that has purchased my products, for the feedback that I've got, and for all the beautiful connections that I have made.
Does your business fulfill you? My business brings me a huge feeling of fulfillment. It makes me very happy because I find everything that I do so beautiful and I love to talk to and get feedback from everyone that purchases my items :)