Colourful crafter finds passion for creating during pandemic
Emilie Cameron loves cats and bright colours. So when it came time to name her business, she knew the name had to incorporate both of these things.
The result? Magenta Cat Studio.
For the past two years, this Bible Hill, N.S. woman has been making and selling a variety of items, including polymer clay earrings and hand-sewn pouches, baskets, and totes using brightlycoloured fabrics.
Like many other creators, Cameron did not initially plan to start her own business. Instead, it was a hobby. Early on during the pandemic, she started making earrings for herself. She says she taught herself how to make earrings and discovered she enjoyed the process and experimenting with the polymer clay. She was hooked, and soon, she realized she made more than she could ever wear.
When it comes to her sewing projects, Cameron says she received her first sewing machine from her sister. It, however, sat in her closet for years. That was until she finally took it out so she could make some masks during the pandemic.
After that, Cameron realized she wanted to make more items, and that is when her mother and sister showed her how to sew. Cameron quickly discovered how much she liked it, so she started to sew even more.
“It’s also just as much fun to find fun fabric to use,” she says.
“I think sewing and buying fabric are two completely different hobbies,” she adds.
With a built-up stock,
Cameron says someone suggested she go to the Truro Farmers’ Market to sell her earrings. She had a lot of fun doing so and decided to continue attending the market.
“The manager and the fellow vendors are so nice, so although you were working, you are having fun at the same time,” says Cameron.
Creativity comes naturally to her.
Cameron says she has always liked being creative and making things. She loves
working with her hands and letting her imagination fly. Since a young age, she has always loved trying different mediums. This was never a problem, as she said she always had art supplies on hand.
Today, Cameron says she makes whatever tickles her fancy.
“I don’t like to limit myself and so therefore (I) make anything that makes me happy,” she says.
Because she enjoys making both earrings and sewn items, this is what she does.
“I know it’s not something you see together at a market, but I love making earrings, but I didn’t want to stop making them and just sew,” she explains.
Out of everything she makes, Cameron says her most popular items are her pouches. People particularly like the cheeky ones made from fabrics with mushroom butts and strawberry vulvas. She does make custom orders but says that is only a small part of her business.
As for her sewing inspiration, Cameron says it comes from her mom and sister. She often refers to things they are doing and making. She then makes it her own by the fabric she picks.
As for her earring inspiration, she says she likes to work with different colours or themes.
In the future, Cameron says she is going to try to be more eco-friendly and produce less waste. She also wants to try a few new products. This winter, she plans to try out some new patterns to have some new stock ready for the spring markets.
“I will keep making what I already do; I just hope to expand a bit in the items I make,” she says.
Running Magenta Cat Studio is not Cameron’s fulltime gig. By day, she is an elementary school teacher, something she has been doing since 2009. Over the years, she has taught several grades but Kindergarten to Grade 2 is her favourite age to teach.
“If I’m not teaching or creating, you’ll find me chasing after my one-year-old daughter,” she says.
Anyone interested in viewing items from the Magenta Cat Studio, or placing an order, can find Cameron at the markets in Truro, Halifax, and Dartmouth. Starting in February, she will also be going to the market in Wolfville. Otherwise, her pouches and baskets can be found at Noveltea on Inglis in Truro. Or she can be found on both Facebook and Instagram.