Today we’d like to introduce you to Maryann Romero and Umeko Go.
Hi Maryann and Umeko, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
For me, our company began due to a fleeting spark and an imminent burnout. My long-time career no longer held my heart and while I was stepping away from my job forever; my business partner Umeko, was having the opposite experience and loving her career but seeking a new passion.
We linked up and began heavily investing our free time immersing ourselves in antiquing, and we were not looking to be amateurs for long. We jumped into learning the ins and outs of estate sales and antique shops around 2016. I’d say we quickly decided what was next…
I was born and raised in Austin and grew up watching my Abuelita and Abuelo work the old East Austin flea markets every weekend. I loved everything there was to love about “old stuff.” From wooden boxes to rusted metals, and stunning furniture. I get just as excited as the next person when I find a piece that I’ve already read about or studied!
For me, deciding to repurpose certain antique pieces as planters, was easy. I’d watched my Abuela use an old tin can or water pitcher as a planter my whole life. She wasn’t decorating, she was simply gardening without a second thought. I wanted that. Gardening, without a second thought.
Today, being able to manage my time with my family and own something that is mine has been both so hard and so rewarding, and I look forward to watching it grow, literally!
For Umeko “Living the day-to-day life of giving my whole self into a corporate career and being a mother of three, there was an overpowering urge to reclaim part of myself. I wanted to express my creativity and put it into something that would not only be beautiful but sustainable and natural. Being able to reuse glass bottles and various containers sparked my curiosity into finding the perfect antique to transform into a candle. Once we started antiquing, I was immediately drawn to vintage Ball canning jars, delicate porcelain and glass containers, teacups, and unique items. I loved knowing that each item had a history and served a purpose. Taking an antique and repurposing it from its original intended use into a unique candle brings me joy.
Loving and appreciating antiques and vintage items is nostalgic for me. Some of my most cherished memories are of my Oma sharing her treasured valuables, their origin stories of her youth in Indonesia, her immigration to Holland, and later to the United States. We all hold onto special items that evoke special memories. I love being able to create a candle out of an antique that may become that special item to someone.”
Currently, we are fresh out of the pandemic and looking forward to being out at farmer’s markets and pop-ups around town. We can’t wait to see everyone!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road has been anything but smooth, but we keep coming back for more! I think any tiny business that faced the pandemic would say it’s been rough. Deciding to stop shop was the only option for us. With children at home, the risk was too much. We are fortunate that we are a small business with the option to return and we don’t take that for granted.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Being able to breathe a second life into tired objects is a tribute to the life that object once served, and that’s what we hope sets us apart from others.
We take antiques and recycled containers and create plant arrangements or fill them with candles.
Umeko, the candle maker, creates intricate, homespun candles made from soy and beeswax. She prefers hemp wicks and wood wicks and adds essential oils for a divine experience. You can usually find her candles topped with organic dried herbs or an assortment of healing crystals.
Maryann, the plant lady, specializes in creating heart-felt plant creations from modern plants like succulents, cactus, pothos, organic herbs, and more!
Our markets are known for antiques, and small gifts to elaborate displays.
We feel most proud when we get to go to market. Being able to balance motherhood and anything else is something on its own, but when we get to display our hard work, and we get to do so while being with our families, it really feels like you’ve made something special.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
As we get more acclimated with social media, we realize our presence there needs to be stronger. We relied so much on in person markets that now we are behind on our online presence. So, we always appreciate any online attention and support. We love to collaborate with anyone! If you have something that you think should be filled with a plant or candle, we want to help. If you are a local vendor and sell something you think we need, we want to hear it.
Local essential oils, beeswax, soy wax, soil, and plants are all things we seek to collaborate or advertise for our fellow small business owners. We feel like it’s always about helping others along the way.
We will be a part of Frida Friday’s market on July 3rd at Lustre Pearl South from 12-4. Come on out and visit us!
Contact Info:
- Email: acollectionofthyme@gmail.com
- Website: http://acollectionofthyme.wixsite.com/website
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acollectionofthyme/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acollectionofthyme/
Image Credits
Allee Photography
