As a part of our community campaign, we asked the owner of vegan skincare company, HELLO SUNDAY, to share her thoughts on entrepreneurship with us! Claudine's skincare line is created locally in British Columbia with all natural and vegan ingredients.
After a health scare in the family and watching all the documentaries on health, environment and diet, as a family, we decided to reevaluate the way we live. We adopted a vegan diet, became more aware of our carbon footprint, looked into more zero waste options that then snowballed into changing all of our products around the house including my skincare. After years of trying prescribed medication, drugstore brands and high end luxury brands, changing my diet and experimenting with natural ingredients that we can all pronounce, my skin started to heal for the first time in years. I felt so good and I wanted others to feel the same way. I launched Hello Sunday in the winter of 2019.
(image via Hello Sunday)
From the beginning, I knew that I wanted to create an eco friendly skincare brand. Ingredients that people would recognize, use glass vessels that could be reused or recycled. Rather than the quick unboxing high from pretty, unnecessary packaging, I chose to focus on simple packaging and ingredients that serve a purpose. We don’t use fillers, synthetics or toxins. I want people to fall in love with their skin after using our products!
(image via Hello Sunday)
Knowing what to do and when. Sometimes it feels like we’re flying by the seat of our pants. It’s hard work but I love it!
(image via Vessel Home Goods)
I’m a sucker for beautiful imagery! I’ve been so lucky to work with some very talented women who have captured our vibe so well. Definitely the creative side of things gets me excited!
(image via Hello Sunday)
Just go for it! If I had waited to get everything perfect, I would have never launched Hello Sunday and still be tinkering away with things. I’ve learned so much along the way and met so many other amazing entrepreneurs, that we’re able to bounce ideas off of each other, it’s such a great community to belong to!
Find Hello Sunday's refreshing hand soap, face polish or vitamin rich mask on our site.
]]>As a man of many talents, we asked Vancouver-based industrial designer Will Morrison for insights on a career in design. His minimalist approach puts materiality at the forefront of each piece he creates. We have been long-time fans of Will's work, at Vessel and are so excited to feature him in our Vessel Edit.
Currently one of my main roles is in education where I coordinate the workshop for a Fine Arts program here at a local college. I help students with the technical aspects in art making, sculpture and design which I find entertaining and fulfilling. Aside from that, I am constantly working on my furniture line and learning the business side of being a furniture designer, which is challenging, but ultimately very satisfying.
(image via @twirlingterri)
Some might say the impetus was LEGO, but in reality it was a lot of trial and error that led me to where I am now. As far back as I can remember I had always been interested in how physical things worked and more broadly why they came to be.
Eventually my curiosity led me to design, which became my lens to ask better questions, explore new territory and create new things.
At the moment I am focused on furniture and objects, but that could evolve into something more specific or something else entirely. I don’t think I could ever be bored as a designer because there is always something new to explore and respond to. And there is no shortage of compelling problems to solve!
(image via @gillianstevens)
Mycelium. The movie Fantastic Fungi changed my life.
I mostly look to art, architecture, philosophy and technology. But what I get most excited about these days are the advances in biomaterials and innovations of their application. I greatly admire the work of Hans J Wegner because of the level of craft he utilized in his designs and the timeless expression of his furniture.
(image via @twirlingterri)
Staying creative during the pandemic has been somewhat challenging. However, what I do find interesting about this time is the rather abrupt change in perspective our society was forced to take. For many of us, what is most important has been brought into focus, and despite all the upheaval, I am hopeful that our society can adapt and evolve into a more robust and equitable one.
(image via @twirlingterri)
In general I follow the Vitruvian triad of utility, strength and beauty as a measuring stick for most things I design. I think these factors are universal and fluid enough that they can be adapted to the constraints of any specific context. As times change, so do the constraints and the problems, and so do the values of utility, strength and beauty.
(image via @gillianstevens)
1) Favourite designer: Evolution
2) Favourite movie: the usual suspects
3) A city you love to travel to: Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam
4) Go to cocktail to order at a bar: Mezcal margarita (on ice of course)
5) A song you have on repeat these days: Harlem River by Kevin Morby
Will's approach to design was a natural match for Vessel. We carry his charcuterie boards in a limited edition finish. Will's other pieces can be found on this website.
(Cover image via @gillianstevens)
]]>
I am a céramist with a focus mostly on the wheel creating minimally designed pieces for the home as well as vessels, objects and jewellery.
(Image via @merida_yyy)
Architecture, colour, texture, shape and the design world give me my most inspiration.
(Image via yyycollection.com)
I have been getting into making tiny food sculptures out of polymer clay while at home. I was also gingered a mini wheel and made a lot of tiny tiny ceramics (@tiny_snx)! As well I work with food (@vegansecretsupper) and am in the midst of writing a second cookbook so being at home gave me some good time to get that ball rolling.
(Image via @tiny_snx)
Learning how to slow down. I don’t spend much time at home I am always at the studio and it felt really nice to be able to relax and ease into being at home and not feeling guilt or pressure to create.
1. Favourite Colour: Oxidized Copper
2. Go to cocktail to order when you're out: Whiskey with a dash of bitters
3. A song you have on repeat: Baby - Ariel Pinks Haunted Graffiti
4. A meme that always makes you laugh: Anything with tiny animals
We love Mérida's playful and unique approach to their work. We carry Mérida's stunning Step Candle Holders and Cermamic Pedestal Vases. They also have a rotating selection of their work on YYY Ceramic's Online Shop.
(Cover Image via @merida_yyy)
I am somewhat of a minimalist when it comes to furniture and decor. I don't like rooms to feel crowded, and similarly when it comes to photography I am drawn to interiors that have a lot of open space and light. Keeping our own space minimal, and decorated with neutral colours makes me feel calm when I am in it, and when I look at it through my lens as well. I also find that individual pieces stand out more when there is less clutter. I love collecting meaningful things for our home whether it is furniture or home goods, and so it's nice for those things to "be seen".
I shoot with my camera, a 5D Mark IV for any images that are posted on my instagram. For my stories I just use my iPhone.
Natural light is key when shooting inside. Photographing near a window will always give you the most natural light possible. Another trick is white walls. They reflect whatever light there is, so if your space doesn't get a ton of natural light, try painting the walls white and it will brighten up the space quite a bit.
Keep your camera level and watch for horizon lines. It immediately detracts from an image if the horizon lines of an image are off, so try and line up your camera (or phone) to be level with your subject for a more balanced image.
]]>
We love how the holidays brings everyone together and creates time for special moments to our everyday lives. However, this time of year is also always filled with so much: decorating the house, selecting thoughtful gifts, holiday parties at work and with friends... that we can loose steam by the time we are ready to make that final push of wrapping that special gift.
We put together a few of our favourite tips to make your holiday wrapping beautiful, simple and easy!
Step away from the glittery Santas!!! We love using simple craft paper: white, matte black or natural craft all look stunning, are very inexpensive, and your leftover paper can be used for gifts throughout the year.
Image via Pinterest
Simple craft twine or thin fabric ribbon is more than you need. Wrap it around the gift a few times to give it a unique, crafted look.
For a more sophisticated option, layer thicker satin or velvet ribbon over your craft paper to elevate your gift.
Image via Pinterest
This may be the fussiest tip of them all, but we promise -- the extra mile is worth it! Stop by your local florist and pick up a few stems of your favourite greens to top off your gifts with -- not every gift needs a pieces of greenery if you are giving multiple items! Cedar, eucalyptus, lavender, and red berry branches are a few of our favourites, but you really can pick any stem.
Using recyclable materials, buying paper that can be used beyond the holidays, and adorning your gifts with biodegradable items like greenery or twine is key in reducing our impact over the holidays.
One of our favourite tricks is to save and re-use paper or ribbon from throughout the year. For example, we have kept our Standing Calendar pages to use in lieu of craft paper!
Image via Home Oh My
We hope our tips give you a little holiday inspiration to push you through this last stage of holiday prep!
Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Holidays!
Cover image via Pinterest
]]>