woodrootlings

First, a few basics:

Rachel Wood Salley. Wood is my maiden name, now my middle name. woodroots: purses, pouches totes and wall hangings & woodrootlings: earth loving childrens line. (woodtec: my husbands technology re-connects to nature line)

I am from California. Two years ago my husband, my son and I quit our jobs, sold our home, pack our life and moved from the security of all our loved-ones to the Hudson valley New Paltz, New York.

What’s your story? What do you do and how did it start? How long have you been doing what you do?

My life has always been “by hand”, working and creating with what’s around me. I would say that my love for gift giving and lack of funds has always inspired creativity and new ideas that I can now sell. I have been making things all my life, I have been working with leather for 7 years and working with wool fiber for only a year. I like to think i make art sometimes on a good day but mostly i love to create anything with my hands. I went to art school for photography that’s where I met my husband. In my photography i always enjoyed making creating costumes, props, environments. I went on to do elaborate displays and installations and later started a very small purse line just prior to our move. our move taught us so much about getting to the root of our happiness and with that this spring me and my husband opened our shops on etsy, we hope to be just the beginning.

Please describe a typical (or atypical) day in your life.

There seems to be very little that is typical when you have a 3 1/2 year old. our recent summer days are rooted in nature and my daily creative work is sewn into each day with lundon. If we are in the backyard searching for bugs and catching frogs we are also collecting treasure. Collecting sticks, sanding sticks which later that day become loving primitive wool stick friends. He may have a project he’s working on and we’ll sit side by side, he’ll help me start or finish a little stick bird or give me advise about the color or sneak into a photograph for a etsy listing. Before and after bedtime when I can really focus is when i am most physically productive or between heaps of laundry, dishes and sweeping :)

What is an important part of your business or creative process?

I have grown to better understand my personal creative process which is most gratifying in a simple raw organic way. If I find a stick I fall in-love with I work through that inspiration naturally. I have noticed when I try and plan or force my ideas they just don’t flow. I always have to being experimenting with something new working off that fresh excitement.

What are you working on currently?

Experimenting with some new wall hanging and small sculpture ideas, using sticks wool and yarn.

What is the work you’re most proud of?

My most recent experiments with wall hangings…coming soon!

How do you get the word about about your hustle?

Etsy is the only word so far and all the sweeties who put us up on there blogs… love them for that!

Where do you find your inspiration and/or motivation?

My sweet soulful son! He is my genuine inspiration and motivation to do/be what I love in this life.

Are there any people or organizations you look up to? Why?

I am always drawn to and respect the natural very simple ways of life. I think I look up to anyone I see who is able to unite modern life with genuine earth loving simplicity. I know we as a family work toward, struggle with and celebrate it everyday.

What are some resources you’ve found invaluable to your work?

The earth

What is your dream project? Where do you plan on going with your business/hustle?

My dream project is an elaborate art installation creating my own little world. I plan on going where ever my hustle takes me and enjoying the ride….but, I do hope it’s Italy soon.

What are two or three things you find difficult on your path to your dreams? How do you deal with these challenges?

Finding time, balance & money …..being sincerely grateful

How has this so-called recession affected the way you conduct business?

We have definitely been feeling this recession in a real way. We have struggled over the last 2 years to find a better job since we moved to new york. We were down to our last pennies when we stared on Etsy only a few months ago and it just may save us. Maybe sales are slower but we are just grateful to do what we love (from home) and pay some bills.

How has your dedication to your hustle affected your personal life (family, friends, school, relationships, faith, etc.)

Because “by hand” is in our everyday my son, my husband and I are a creative by hand family unit. Because it brings us all so much happiness it has brought us closer then ever. My other relationships have grown with such enthusiastic support in what we do, so thankful for that.

What is something you know now that you wish you’d known before?

Imperfect is perfect. you have to enjoy the process there is no finish, you never get “there”….still learning.

What is something you’ve learned on your path that you would share with anyone just starting out?

I am still on that path and always feel like I’m just starting out, learning everyday form everyone.