Interview & giveaway! Pepperjack Home
Make sure to stop by and say hi to Robyn of Pepperjack Home and pick up something for your home while you’re there!
Photos by Kimberly Lynn Loomis
Tell us bit about yourself, your company.
PJH: My name is Robyn; I am just a simple lady, doing what I love for a living. I live in my hometown, Arlington, WA with a cat, a chicken and a bunch of guy friends I like to play mother to. I grew up loving arts and crafts, went to culinary school for a year, studied photography in college, and taught myself to sew. I like to think I am a bit of a domestic renaissance lady --I like to cook and clean, take pictures, garden and bake, sew and crochet, cut hair and make jam and pickles. I was recently asked by a close family friend if there was anything that I couldn’t do, and all I could come up with was welding. She assured me that I am capable of doing that, so who knows, maybe I’ll go to school for that someday!
After unexpectedly losing my job in the tile industry, which tanked in 2007, I did some serious brainstorming with my friend (of more than 20 years) Samantha of Paddle & Quack, the shop I had been sewing with for a while already (and still am). Pepperjack Home came out of all of this, mostly in an attempt to narrow down the things that I do to make myself a bit more marketable.It has been quite a long journey, but I feel like I am so close to having it exactly where I want it. I am completely happy, and love what I do more than anything. I am ready to take this little business big places!
When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
PJH: The only thing I have ever really known I want to be when I grow up is a mother. I feel like anyone can do any kind of job to pay the bills, but when you’re a parent, you’re actually ‘being’ something. There is a big difference in ‘being’ something, or ‘doing something. So, since I am not a mom yet, I have settled on being the best single, childless, crafting housewife I can be for now!
Is there a certain person, place or object you draw inspiration from?
PJH: I have several friends that are huge inspirations for me, whether they realize it or not! I love just sitting and chatting, and new ideas are always popping up. A bit part of my art is being able to talk about it. Whenever I get together with any of these ladies I find my brain buzzing hours and hours after, scribbling words and pictures on sheets of paper, cutting pieces of fabric out & writing endless lists. Someday I hope to have enough time and/or resources to try out even half of the ideas I have.
If you had no boundaries: money, time, space, support, etc. what dream project would you pursue?
PJH: I would buy a big piece of land and build a little farm with a huge art studio. I would stock this studio with as many art supplies as I could, and invite anyone and everyone to come over and create. I am constantly blown away at the talent and creativity that surrounds me, and I constantly see one thing holding people back: money. I can’t even imagine how amazing it would be to remove that boundary and see what kind of awesomeness would come out of everyone.
What’s your favorite thing to do to kill time? Any secret Internet time wasters, guilty pleasures?
PJH: Cooking, baking and entertaining friends; mostly because I enjoy eating. But being in the company of fantastic people is a great way to spend time. I have a very wide variety of friends, and I love them all so much! I really love to try to do little things to show them how much they mean to me, even if it is as simple as a hug, or a homemade cupcake. Seeing others having a good time makes me endlessly happy, and it means a lot when I can make that happen. My home is always open for anyone to stop by, and the company is always welcome, especially if it’s a surprise.
Where do you like to go when you just want to get away? A beach, a mall, a market? What’s your favorite type of spot to go unwind.
PJH: Thrift store shopping! It’s generally what I do when I need a break from everything and just want to get out of the house. And I have to check back at all the local thrift stores often to see if they have any new awesome vintage fabric! So I am getting business stuff done too. Because I surely don’t have enough fabric…
If you only had one more meal to eat on this world what would it be? (It can be several courses)
PJH: This is a terrifying thought! I think I would like to just have one bite of everything. I honestly can’t decide! I love food so much. I know this meal would have to include lots of fresh fruit & cheese. However, I would probably like to eat a ton of things I can’t because I’m allergic to corn. Mostly gummy bears and anything with caramel.
What do you love most about UCU’s Summer Show?
PJH: Is there anything about UCU to not love?! I just love the amount of talent that can be squeezed into one area. It’s so amazing so see what others create.
Tell readers what they should expect to see when they stop by and see you at UCU.
PJH: Lots of household goods! I have a line of laundry products (Laundry soap, wool dryer balls, reusable dryer sheets, etc.) that are all natural, great for people with sensitive skin and anyone looking to be green! Also, there will be lots of reusable sandwich and snack bags, sandwich wraps, reusable produce and bulk food bags—everything you need to store your lunches without plastic! I also make tote bags & purses as well as aprons, tea towels, reusable paper towels and cloth napkins. I think using adorable versions of things that are usually plain and boring brings some joy to domestic life and makes whatever you’re doing feel a little more special! A lot of the fabrics used are vintage or recycled, making things totally awesome and one of a kind.
Robyn is generously offering a box of her special unscented laundry soap 32-64 loads. Just leave a comment below to take this awesome soap home and use for you own laundry day!
Comments:
the containers we have tend to be really big.
The guy who pumped my septic advised me to use a liquid laundry soap. Do you have a liquid soap? Or is this soap OK for septic?
Andrea
I have a septic system and have absolutely no problems. I am pretty sure they advise against it because of all the fillers used in commercially made laundry soaps, and just the sheer amount people use in their loads! You only need a tiny bit of my laundry soap (as little as a teaspoon and a half per load) and it's only made from things that regularly go down the drain. I have had a lot of people come to me with this same concern, and I could make a liquid laundry soap, I just don't feel right selling people water! That would be the only difference, it would be dissolved in water before you added it to your machine instead of during your wash cycle. I hope that helps! :)
And Melina, we do need to catch up! Come down and visit me on Sunday! I'll be there from 11-5.
