A Happy Thought Indeed - Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Small Business Highlights | Ali Leigh Photo
My heart for small businesses is huge! The creativity, the hardwork, the personality they give to their communities, states, or regions.. they're so great! One of my goals is to celebrate them. There's nothing better than knowing your purchase was made by someone who sets aside hours of their day to create something they truly love.
So with that, today I'm kicking off my Small Business Highlight blog series. I'll be mainly highlight Midwest small businesses, with the occasional small business outside of the Midwest. If you have any suggestions for small businesses for me to check out, please email them to alileighphoto@gmail.com. I would love that! :)
FIRST UP, A Happy Thought Indeed! The owner, Sue Smith, has blown me away with her craft and creativity for years now. I love watching her family grow into this artistic environment Sue has set for her family. Her kids are already a bunch of hipsters, even under the age of 13. ;)
These pictures is from a couple of years ago, taken by Joanna Photography, but I DIED when I saw them! So cute.
1. Business Name: A Happy Thought Indeed
2. Tell us a little bit about your business and the products you sell!
I create nature and literature inspired pieces for the wardrobe and the home.
3. Tell us a little bit about YOU so we get to know the business owner!
I'm a wife and homeschool mom of three great kids. I'm only 33, but have been married for 15 years and my oldest is now officially a teenager. I look forward to being a hot, young Grandma some day. ;) I've read and re-read and re-re-read Captain Wentworth's letter at the end of "Persuasion." I love when my husband takes me on adventures, doesn't matter to me if it's hiking to the top of a mountain or hunting for the perfect lamp at Ikea. I love scouring thrift stores for "treasure." I've always been inspired and intrigued by things that have a story to tell. Whether it's antiques, vintage finds, dusty old books, or just something that evokes a memory; I love to take that feeling and turn it into something you can wear or something for your home.
4. Where are you based out of?
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
5. Do you have somewhere online where people can buy your products?
Etsy: AHappyThoughtIndeed
The Etsy shop is just a small sampling of my items. I post all my new items on Facebook and Instagram, so people often message me "I need that necklace!" or "I want those earrings!" I simply send them a PayPal invoice via email and once that's paid, their items are shipped.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ahappythought
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sueshappythoughts
6. Do you have any upcoming craft shows?
I'll have a crazy busy schedule once we hit summer, but for the chilly months I have just a few events like the Seconds Sale at the Permanent Baggage Boutique on Feb. 27th and Re:Craft and Relic at the Franklin Sports Complex on April 23rd and 24th.
If you prefer to stop in a store instead of waiting for an event, you can find my items at a bunch of super cool places like:
Hammer Down in Oconomowoc
The Bee's Knees in West Bend
Museum of Wisconsin Artists in West Bend
Cream City Restoration in St. Francis
The Waxwing on the East side of Milwaukee
Permanent Baggage on the East side of Milwaukee
Rock Paper Scissors in downtown Milwaukee
Sparrow Collective in Bay View
Eden Garden and Pets in West Allis
Selah Vie in Mt. Horeb
7. When did you start your business?
Back in October of 2012, my mother-in-law was doing a craft fair and invited me to join her for the day and make something up to sell. I made a few necklaces from old book pages and I was pleasantly surprised that people bought them. ;) Shortly after, I had friends and family interested in buying more of my items. Over the past few years, I've steadily committed more time and effort into the business while still balancing family life and ministry.
8. Do you have any recommendations for bridesmaids gifts or a Valentine’s Day gift?
I love working with brides to create custom jewelry for their bridesmaids. I've made dictionary word necklaces that use a great word to describe the bridesmaid... only the bride would know that perfect word! I've also done pieces using the bride's own handwriting which adds a special touch.
For Valentine's Day, you really can't go wrong with jewelry, right? Something sweet, something whimsical, something bold, something glam... I've got you covered!
I also have gift certificates available, just in time for Valentine's Day! They're perfect for the guy who knows his lady's style, but he's not quite sure which piece to buy.
Check her out!! She's always creating new things, and they make for the perfect gifts (for yourself or for others ;) )! Thank you, Sue for kicking off my first Small Business Highlight!
With love,
Ali Leigh
