Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Latham.
Hi Emily, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Austin, and I remember my mom taking us to the Old Quarry library weekly. Maybe that’s where my love of creating began. I didn’t really like reading, but my mom and sister did, and we’d often spend an hour or more in the library. When I discovered the how-to section of books, I finally felt like I belonged in this place. I checked out books on knitting and crocheting and learned that I love making things. Books on woodcarving, sewing, baking, and gardening were more of my favorites. When I was a teen, I discovered woodburning and added it to my list of interests. Adult life got busier, and time was limited when I started having kids. Woodburning was an art I could still fit into a shorter timeframe. In 2014 I started trying to sell some of my work on Etsy to make extra money. I listed a few sets of engraved wooden spoons as personalized wedding gifts. My little shop has grown with my skills through the years and is now my full-time job. After 7 years of engraving thousands of wooden utensils and cutting boards by hand, I finally invested in a laser printer last year. I sell engraved cutting boards, wooden spoons, trays, and coasters with original or personalized designs.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Selling online definitely has its ups and downs. Sometimes sales are low for months, and it’s discouraging; other times, work is non-stop, and you can burnout quickly. You must learn to ride the waves and make the best decisions for you, not just your business. Being your boss can be lonely and overwhelming at times, knowing no one else can jump in and run the business if you’re down. It’s a constant struggle trying to find that work/life balance.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
My shop specializes in engraved kitchen gifts. Many of my products are personalized as wedding gifts or special keepsakes for grandparents. One of my favorite and most meaningful pieces in the shop is a custom cutting board engraved with kids’ artwork. Customers can send in photos of drawings their kids have done and have a piece engraved to last forever. It’s a special way to preserve a little piece of their childhood. Art has a way of holding memories for me. A quilt my great-grandmother made hangs over my couch, bringing her to mind each time I see it. My grandpa taught me to make bread, and I’m reminded of that day together whenever I knead a loaf. My walls are covered in watercolor paintings I’ve made with scenes of places I’ve visited. And I hope that each cutting board or wooden spoon I create for my customers will hold many of their memories for years to come.
How would we have described you growing up if we knew you were growing up?
Growing up, I loved gardening, playing piano and violin, and Ultimate Frisbee. My art hobbies are watercolor and relief printmaking at the moment. I’m currently obsessed with mountains and the sky and clouds in particular.
Contact Info:
- Website: hearthandtableco.etsy.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/hearthandtableco
- Facebook: facebook.com/hearthandtableco
Image Credits
Wendy Macy
