Daily Inspiration: Meet Marie Herron

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marie Herron. 

Hi Marie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started NovellaIcecream Boutique in 2015 after the birth of my daughter Jordan. I have always wanted to operate my own business. After the birth of my fourth child, I decided to take a chance on a dream. I didn’t really have a whole lot of support with the idea, but I knew that it is what I wanted. I decided to do my research and just dive in. I began creating, I got my packaging and all those little tidbits and just ran with it. I began selling my handcrafted jewelry, trinket boxes, and artwork at vending events and online. Because I put a lot of love and detail into my work, I genuinely get a lot of joy from each piece. I enjoy the community engagement that comes with working vending events. I would be nowhere without my amazing community and community partners. I have gotten to meet and make friends with some truly amazing people in Michigan. My passion lies in my handmade art. I relish in having a concept that was a mere thought take a physical shape. I’m like, “Hey, I did that!” I love clay and taking the formless and giving it form. With my jewelry, I like to create things that evoke emotion or create a mood. I like texture and lush colors. I am still creating and still finding joy in sharing my work with the world. It will be nice to see a storefront in the future, but for now, I am happy to bring my work to the people myself. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Since starting my business, there have been many obstacles and many changes. As a single mother, there are always circumstances to juggle around, but you deal with it and just keep moving forward. I try to take my obstacles as a chance to learn something new and to grow within myself. I perform most of the roles in my business, so I am constantly having to learn a new skill or expand my knowledge in different areas. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I started Novellaicecream creating jewelry and trinket boxes and selling them online and at local vending events. As I grow, I find my art growing as well. Since starting I have began sculpting and woodworking, and I have found a love for it as well. I am more of an intuitive artist, so I am in love with the process of creating. I seldom work from concrete plans; I get a feel of what I want to create, and I am usually happily surprised by what takes shape. I think I am known for my unique perspective and the fact that I have quite the paradoxical nature. I love the name Novellaicecream because it is a great conversation starter. I get asked, “So do you sell Ice cream?” and I get to give people a little peek into my life by saying, “No, Novella is my middle name, and I really just love ice cream!” That usually gets a laugh. One of my favorite parts of what I do is getting out into the Michigan business community and meeting like-minded people. I love community, and I love spreading good energy. If someone acquires one of my pieces and takes it home and smiles every time they look at it or put it on, then I am one happy person. 

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
During Covid-19, I learned that when you have a business, you have to be able and willing to pivot at any moment. I mentioned that a big part of networking for me occurs during vending events, and there wasn’t much of that happening in the beginning of the pandemic. I did a lot more online during this time. I taught myself woodworking and resin working. I got a lot of art done. I think that mostly during Covid-19, I learned that I have the grit to get through a lot. Also, the importance of family. My children and I had some great times amongst each other during the lockdown. I think that we grew even closer during the pandemic. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/novellaicecreamboutiquel.l.c