Business Spotlight: Carrot Cottage Market
Business Spotlight: Carrot Cottage Market
While last year’s quarantines were difficult, they provided many of us time to try out and learn new things. For most, this was a way to pass the time. For a lucky handful, these news skills transformed into something more than a passing interest or new hobby, they became new small businesses. Torie of Carrot Cottage Market is one of those lucky few.
Prior to COVID, Torie worked as a freelance writer. But after 12 years, interest was waning. Regularly covering topics which were of little to no interested to her took its toll; she knew it was time to find something new. When COVID hit and the quarantine started, she took it as an opportunity to learn a new skill: candle making. After reading about it in a magazine, Torie thought it would be fun to try. She made her candles out of a soy-based wax and poured them into antique mason jars. She enjoyed it some much she soon amassed an inventory and took to Etsy to sell them under the name Farmhouse Market. They sold well, but it wasn’t long until the market became too saturated. Soon, materials to make more candles were hard to come by – and expensive when you could find them.
Torie knew it was time to shift gears and transitioned into sewing. At first, she made small throw pillows. As those sold well, she expanded to travel pillows and blankets of varying sizes. She also expanded her offerings to include keychains, bracelets with stone or glass beads, room sprays, and tote bags. As she diversified, Torie saw the name Farmhouse Market no longer fit and changed it to Carrot Cottage Market. With this growth, came the need for more space; it got to the point where Torie could no longer work from home and needed a dedicated workspace. Two months ago, she found it here at Mellwood.
Torie has sold her wares at various farmers markets, flea markets, and other similar events. Torie nearly sold the remaining Carrot Cottage’s inventory at the recent Market on Mellwood Fall Festival. As a result, everything is currently made to order. Torie plans to rebuild her inventory at the start of the new year. She also plans to further expand her offerings to include rag dolls, collage art/shadowboxes, and handmade costume jewelry. For more information or to make a purchase, visit Carrot Cottage’s website at carrotcottagemarket.com. You can also find Carrot Cottage on Facebook and Instagram at @carrotcottagemarket.
While last year’s quarantines were difficult, they provided many of us time to try out and learn new things. For most, this was a way to pass the time. For a lucky handful, these news skills transformed into something more than a passing interest or new hobby, they became new small businesses. Torie of Carrot Cottage Market is one of those lucky few.
Prior to COVID, Torie worked as a freelance writer. But after 12 years, interest was waning. Regularly covering topics which were of little to no interested to her took its toll; she knew it was time to find something new. When COVID hit and the quarantine started, she took it as an opportunity to learn a new skill: candle making. After reading about it in a magazine, Torie thought it would be fun to try. She made her candles out of a soy-based wax and poured them into antique mason jars. She enjoyed it some much she soon amassed an inventory and took to Etsy to sell them under the name Farmhouse Market. They sold well, but it wasn’t long until the market became too saturated. Soon, materials to make more candles were hard to come by – and expensive when you could find them.
Torie knew it was time to shift gears and transitioned into sewing. At first, she made small throw pillows. As those sold well, she expanded to travel pillows and blankets of varying sizes. She also expanded her offerings to include keychains, bracelets with stone or glass beads, room sprays, and tote bags. As she diversified, Torie saw the name Farmhouse Market no longer fit and changed it to Carrot Cottage Market. With this growth, came the need for more space; it got to the point where Torie could no longer work from home and needed a dedicated workspace. Two months ago, she found it here at Mellwood.
Torie has sold her wares at various farmers markets, flea markets, and other similar events. Torie nearly sold the remaining Carrot Cottage’s inventory at the recent Market on Mellwood Fall Festival. As a result, everything is currently made to order. Torie plans to rebuild her inventory at the start of the new year. She also plans to further expand her offerings to include rag dolls, collage art/shadowboxes, and handmade costume jewelry. For more information or to make a purchase, visit Carrot Cottage’s website at carrotcottagemarket.com. You can also find Carrot Cottage on Facebook and Instagram at @carrotcottagemarket.