The Tin Ceiling Gallery team has been working to set up an Etsy store to sell CREATE-made items and artwork from individual CREATE artists. Jeremy Simonson, TCG staff, has been working with Lindsay Gooch and Josie Horbach to do all the tasks related to opening a store. Jeremy is a talented photographer who joined the TCG team in July 2024 to help us launch our gallery store.
The idea for the store was to allow more access for people to buy our products when they are not in the area, but also to teach the skill so that persons served could create their own store as a way to build and create their own art business.
Lindsay Gooch has worked with CREATE for twenty years and has been a key retail customer service person at Bearly Used thrift store; she has participated in our studio art program for the last 4 years. Her art sells well in the store, and she was ready for some new challenges.
Josie Horbach has been a part of the Tin Ceiling program for 15 years, making jewelry from donated reclaimed jewelry. She was also ready to try new things.
They all agree this was a big project, and they had to learn as they went, doing each thing step by step. They enjoyed working as a team and were able to overcome any issues they came across. Jeremy worked with them to learn how to photograph the pieces, write descriptions, upload to the site, package, ship, process orders, and manage inventory
Both Lindsay and Josie agree that they were nervous when we asked them if they were interested in working on the project and found it overwhelming at times. They both are excited about the new skills they have learned and feel their confidence has grown since they have been successful. Lindsay said she watched some YouTube tutorials to learn how others write descriptions and is amazed and proud of how much she has learned. Lindsay loves doing art because it gives her a way to express herself, and she feels the program has helped her be the best she can be, and it is really fun.
Josie feels that being part of the program has really helped her heal and grow because the support provided by the TCG team is different for each person. She received support when she needed it and is now able to grow her skills with a supportive teacher. She is excited to think that she is going to be the teacher in the future and help others learn how to do the Etsy process. For Josie, creating her jewelry is relaxing and work that doesn’t deplete her emotionally or physically. She finds that art is therapy for work.
