Meet Ali Weir | Artisan

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ali Weir and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ali, every day, we talk about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I came up with the idea for my business purely though the encouragement of friends. My little sister was getting married and while shopping for her wedding dress she found a beautiful hair vine at the boutique that she fell in love with. After seeing the price tag, I insisted that she not buy one from the store because I could surely figure out how to make one for her myself. After a few trips to the craft store, a few hours of trial and error, I made an 18″ pearl and crystal, rose gold hair vine just for her. After sharing images on social media for my friends, everyone encouraged me to open an Etsy shop. From there I began making hair pins, combs, headbands, barrettes, clips, you name it, I was making it.

Then one fateful day I was at the craft store, I came across a book on “wire crochet”. I had never heard of it, but it looked so beautiful I simply had to try it. From then on, half of my business was dedicated to wire crochet earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
What I’m most excited about at this point in my career, is what I’ve always been excited about, making new things! I am endlessly inspired (hence my business name Inspired Plumage). I have ideas on the back burner for new hair accessories as well as so many more wire crochet jewelry pieces. I’ve also begun painting again, so I’m sure new original paintings will turn up online and at my coming pop up events. I simply can’t help it, I am addicted to making pretty things.

That said, I have learned that I need to pace myself. I still work full time and need to make sure to dedicate time with my family and practice self care so that I don’t burn out. It’s okay if I take a weekend off. It’s okay if I didn’t finish that project when I wanted to. I try to space out my pop up events so that I can pace myself in replenishing my stock between shows without feeling too overwhelmed or stressed out.

If I wanted the world to know one thing about my brand and story, I’d want them to know I do this for the love of creating pretty things. That each thing I make is absolutely something I would (and probably have) worn personally. I’d want people to know that I get just as much joy and satisfaction when a customer is drawn to one of my $10 items as my $100 items.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were coming to town for a week, we would HAVE to hit up my favorite taco joint in Broomfield Tacos and Margaritas. We’d probably hit up Pearl street in Boulder, possibly go on a hike, catch a movie, or a Rockies game. I’m open to anything!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family is a huge source of support, love and encouragement. If it weren’t for my sister Samantha’s trust that I could make that very first piece for her special day, none of this would have happened. My husband Aaron and son Dexon are my strongest supporters. They always help me set up and tear down my booth at pop up events. My husband and son will also offer input on new designs, and give up quality time with me so that I can make new pieces. My mom Jackie is also a source of encouragement before each show, as well as so many friends and other family members. Someone I know is always kind enough to show up at my events and cheer me on (looking at you Stacy, Dianne, Meagan, Katie, Michelle, Tobi, Molly, Jese, and more!) as well a share my items/page on social media (Chrisinda, Cookie, Michelle, Haley, Deborah, Nicole, Libby, Vanessa, and again, so many more!).

I would also like to credit the book New Wire Crochet Jewelry written by Yael (Yoola) Falk. If it weren’t for that book, I would never have thought to crochet wire. While the author is based out of Israel, we have connected on social media and she is an incredible source of encouragement, inspiration and knowledge.

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/InspiredPlumage?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Instagram: @inspiredplumage

Facebook: @inspiredplumage

Other: TikTok @inspiredplumage