Olivia Coleman is the Owner and Seamstress at Olivanders Creations, an online shop through Etsy, where she uses her over 20 years of sewing experience to create unique garments and accessories for unique individuals.
“I aspire to keep my business as eco-friendly as I can. I only buy supplies that are absolutely necessary to use new, such as thread and elastic, and source the rest second-hand or from my already established craft stash. Biodegradable shipping bags are used for order shipments, and I purchase my shipping through Etsy who participates in a carbon-offset shipping program.”
Since the conception of Olivanders Creations in 2006, Olivia has dabbled in ready-to-wear costumes, theater costumes, custom orders, and formalwear; however, she recently found her spark for its true purpose. “While thrift shopping, I would always come across secondhand clothing that still had so much life to give, but due to the culture of fast-fashion, these pieces were discarded prematurely. Sometimes I would find a beautiful piece that just needed TLC or repairs; or a piece that was terribly outdated but had incredible features like beadwork, embroidery or fabric that could be repurposed.”
She realized this was her call to action! “I had the experience, know-how and creativity to start giving these pieces a new chance at life, so I did.”
Olivia’s early years of working as Costume Designer for small theater companies had a significant impact on her creativity. She learned to be incredibly resourceful, and to never underestimate the potential of a “discarded” garment. She adds, “Reshaping existing garments into new costumes or accessories was incredibly inspiring. Compared to traditional sewing, it was a completely different process; I didn’t buy the amount of fabric I needed for a project, I had to use what an existing garment gave me. I learned to let a garment guide my vision for the project and this provided the foundation of refined creativity that I use now on a daily basis.”
Seeing the joy that her work can bring others is her greatest accomplishment. “The difference in a performer’s confidence the moment they slip into a costume for their character. The awe of an audience when they see a theatre production come to life with the color and movement of costumes. A customer happily slipping into a garment that was handmade just for their body. The spark when a customer connects with a piece that just “speaks” to them. These are all moments when I feel the most accomplished, “ Olivia says.
The best advice she has received is to not measure her life to someone else’s expectation. “That way, I wouldn’t be disappointed with my own journey,” she adds. “Finding your own path with creativity can be a struggle. It’s very easy to get caught up with what others are doing or feeling that you’re not where you should be; especially in the depths of social media. While keeping up with other artists can be inspiring, it can also be taxing if you don’t accept that everyone’s journey is different and you must take your own path.
“When I started sewing back in High School, I never would have imagined the opportunities I would have because of it. I’ve met incredible artists, celebrities, and friends; attended and worked amazing events/shows and now I have the privilege of working a job, from home, that inspires me instead of drains me. Give yourself room and time to grow, learn, and in the words of Ms. Frizzle [The Magic School Bus] “make mistakes and get messy.”’
Finding balance with using creativity in her business has been Olivia’s biggest obstacle. “I have faced countless bouts of burnout in the past with “doing what I love” as a business. Creativity is an energy and you cannot give it if you are running on fumes…and more times than not, I was running on fumes. Putting your art out there can be terrifying, as it is a piece of you, and any criticism or rejection is internalized as a personal rejection. Mental health plays a huge part in my creative process, and I realized self-care had to become a priority in my life. I began taking the time for therapy and healing; eventually gaining the tools to aid me on a daily basis. It’s not an overnight process, and some days are definitely better than others, but I continue to strive for progress, not perfection.”
“Never be afraid to seek help if you’re struggling. Therapy, along with medication, was the first time in my life that I was able to break cycles of perfectionism, inner critical dialogue and depression; amongst other things. A lot of artists tend to accept suffering as part of the job, but it doesn’t have to be,” Olivia adds. ‘A very beneficial program I worked through in therapy was called ACA; Adult Children of Alcoholics/Dysfunction; you can find more about the program through their website: https://adultchildren.org/newcomer/am-i-an-adult-child/”
Moving forward, Olivia hopes to continue growing and expanding Olivanders Creations in multiple facets, as well as creating a more diverse stock of products so anyone of any size can find something to love in her shop. Once the pandemic is in check, she plans to increase her In-person vending at events and fairs. “I plan to continue cllaboration with other artists and models to expand product offerings and showcase products in a more professional manner. And last, but not least, to continue growing my business in an eco-conscious fashion with respect to Mother Earth.”
“A big project recently completed for me is that we, my husband and I, recently relocated to the Cincinnati area, for his career. We had both resided in Bowling Green for all of our adult lives, so this was a big change for us. Unfortunately, the pandemic put a damper on our exploring of the new area, but we did seize the opportunity to get well-acquainted with our local parks. We also celebrated the 10-year anniversary of our Las Vegas elopement, back in July.”
In her spare time, Olivia likes to rejuvenate her creativity by switching art mediums. “I like painting, drawing, coloring, jewelry making and graphic design. In addition to that, I love thrift shopping, exploring nature trails, reading textbooks on a variety of subjects, organizing things, and home improvement projects.”
For the past few months, Halloween has been Olivia’s happy thought. “I’ve decorated my house, inside and out; and have already started re-watching all my favorite horror movies. I adore watching the John Carpenter classics to catch all the Bowling Green references!”
Olivia can be contacted:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olivanderscreations/
Website: http://www.olivanderscreations.com/
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OlivandersCreations/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olivanderscreationsllc
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