On Second-Hand Yarn, Starting Small And Nurturing Your Growth: Fiber Artist Aren
As we reflect on our Spring Season, we’re touching base with a few of our vendors. Today, we’re chatting with Aren of Scrunch Aren Scrunch about establishing a creative business and nurturing your own flow.
Photo courtesy of Scrunch Aren Scrunch
ABOUT SCRUNCH AREN SCRUNCH
My name is Aren and I’m the owner of Scrunch Aren Scrunch. I make home goods and accessories out of fabric remnants and secondhand yarn. I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and ended up in Austin for college in 2014. While I ended up studying photography in college sewing has always been something I was interested in. From sketching outfits in elementary school to going to a high school that had a fashion design program where I had a class to sew in everyday for four years. I knew that I wanted to create for others and I finally took the leap and created my very own small business in 2019. I started off with just scrunchies, eventually branched out to pillows and now I’ve added punch needle wall hangings and magnets to my shop.
What are you hoping to nurture through your work in 2022?
I am hoping to really grow more as an “official” business. Get better at branding myself, creating assets, becoming more in touch with my customers, etc. Since this started as a passion project and a way to pay off my student loans I didn’t realize that I can actually do this long term. I feel like I didn’t give it my “all” in these aspects of my business and now that I know the possibilities I want to go allll in!!
Who are your biggest inspirations in Texas?
Some of my biggest inspirations in Texas would have to be CocoAndre in Dallas. It is a Mexican-American owned chocolate shop ran by a mother and daughter duo and they really have shown me that it is possible to pursue your dreams and passions. I’ve seen them grow more and more into these amazing entrepreneurs and it inspires me to do the same!
What does creative collaboration mean to you?
To me, creative collaboration is the combination of two beautiful brains. From what I’ve seen, a lot of small businesses are run by one person and I think bringing in a fresh set of eyes AND skills opens up a new door both people might have not even known was there. It means learning from each other and building from each other. A goal of mine is definitely to collaborate a lot more in the future to be able to unlock those said doors and grow not only as a business but as a person as well.
How do you make space in your life to creatively recharge? Any tips or routines?
I’ve learned that recharging is key to staying afloat. I try to make sure I take a day where I sit and do nothing but watch trash TV and scroll Pinterest. Although watching tv doesn’t necessarily inspire me in any way it lets my mind stop thinking about what to create next. I also like to take 15 to 30 minutes of my day to sit outside and lay in the sun, truly think that recharges me both creatively and emotionally!
How do you approach building community around your work?
I try to approach community building around my work by interacting with my customers or other small businesses and getting them in touch with other people I know that can possibly help each other in some way or another. This is something I know I need to improve on but will say it is definitely hard when you work a full time job haha.
What's the one recommendation you'd make to someone new starting out as an independent creative or small business owner?
To anyone starting out in their own venture I would recommend to try not to compare yourself to others and go with YOUR own flow. It’s a bit difficult to lose track of your own goals and aspirations when there’s so many other people trying to do the same around you. Oftentimes I’ve found myself overworking to try and stay “relevant” or keep up with everyone else but in reality everyone has their own stuff going and you can’t always be on par with everyone. As they say, you do you! I think as long as you’re having a good time and still reaching your goals, it’s all going to work out.
Photo courtesy of Scrunch Aren Scrunch
Photo courtesy of Scrunch Aren Scrunch
Photo courtesy of Scrunch Aren Scrunch
Photo courtesy of Scrunch Aren Scrunch
EVERYTHING WE DO SUPPORTS WOMEN AND LGBTQ+ CREATIVES, DESIGNERS, ARTISTS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FROM THE TEXAS SOUTH.
You can browse the 160+ vendors from our Spring Season lineup here.
WANT TO STAY INVOLVED WITH FUTURE FRONT TEXAS?
Attend The Front Market, and keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.