Meet Rachel Lien | Owner of Ditch Lilies Village

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

Hi Rachel, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
For a bit of a back story – I started Ditch Lilies Village with my cousin, Elayna. For years, we’ve talked about wanting to do more with our artistic capabilities – she’s drawings incredible drawings, and I crochet and sew some cute stuff. And it was all just talk and dreaming of what we would make and how our future shop would be decorated. Until one day, we decided to stop talking and start doing. We created an Etsy in the beginning of 2024, started working on product to list, and in the summer & fall I joined the Colorado Farm and Art Market (which was such a blast!) Although there have been many challenges along the way, between a full time job and being a part of a Farmers Market, it as 100% worth all of it just to see someone appreciate your art as much as you do. My best advice to anyone thinking about starting their own business is to just do it!! Take the chance, because at the end of the day, all your hard work will pay off.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Ditch Lilies Village sells a variety of handmade crochet, sewn, and drawn items! I (Rachel) make the crochet and sewn items, and Elayna creates drawings that she makes into cards and stickers. One thing that we both decided at the very beginning of starting Ditch Lilies Village was that we need to be as sustainable as possible – “our mission is to create sustainable, handmade products at affordable prices, and to provide a positive crafting community”. For all of my sewing projects, I either thrift or get donations for all my materials, so I use a lot of sheets, curtains, blankets – pretty much anything with a cool pattern! I think that the use of recycled material really sets us apart from other businesses.

I am only on my second year of being a small business owner, so I still have so much room for growth and expansion! It is hard between finding time to craft, and having a full time job – like any artist, I get creative blocks from time to time. The way I deal with it is to leave my craft room space – focus on gardening, or cleaning the house for a while, and come back with a fresh mind. That usually helps! My hope and dream is that one day, I can open up my own shop and that Ditch Lilies Village will be my only career focus! Like our slogan says – I’ve got to Grow Where I’m Thrown – and roll with what I’ve got right now! I know that with time, I will get to my goals.

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.
So I actually live near Battle Lake, Minnesota right now! I started Ditch Lilies Village when I was living in Colorado Springs, while my husband was stationed at Fort Carson. But, I do have many places that I used to frequent while I lived there, so when I go back to visit, here is where I would go!

First, we would have to get a coffee from Bird Tree Cafe located in Downtown Colorado Springs – they have the BEST spicy chai & vanilla latte! It has such a cozy vibe to it, and I used to crochet there a lot, so it has a special place in my heart. This next place is just for my fellow crafters, but if you haven’t been to Who Gives a Scrap in Colorado Springs, you have to go! They are basically a thrift store for all kinds of craft material (and if you are a sewer, they have an entire room full of fabric scraps!) I wish I could somehow take that whole building and move it to Minnesota to be closer to me, I miss it so much! A place for good beer and food is Peaks & Pines Brewery located in Fountain, CO. My husband and I used to go there a little too much, haha, but they honestly have the best beer and amazing burgers, and the staff is so friendly! (get a mix of the Peach Tart and the APA, it’s the best combo) And of course, I would have to go on a hike; I would either make the drive up to Woodland Park to do Craig’s Trail for a more intense hike, or would go to Palmer Park for a more chill walking hike.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a big shoutout to my Grandma, Cindy Hallbeck. She is the reason I am such a crafty girl! She’s a strong, goofy, and independent woman, and I look up to her a lot. She is also the one who sparked the Ditch Lilies Village name! When Elayna, and I were younger, we always heard of the story of the Ditch Lilies – and it goes a little something like this:

Many years back, on a sunny day in Minnesota, our cute little grandma was tending to her flowers. She had some leftover lilies that she casually tossed to the side of her driveway, not expecting anything to come of it. They ended up taking root where they landed, growing and thriving, right there in the ditch. “Ditch lilies,” she called them. That catchy little name rang through our ears and gave us a giggle, and years later, still sticks with us.

Ditch Lilies Village brings a sense of coziness and joy, just like time spent laughing, gardening, and crafting with our grandma. We are just a couple of gals doing what we love. You’re invited to join us in spreading positivity in the crafting community!

Accidentally poetic and beautiful, the “ditch lilies” that took root in an unexpected way remind you to…

“Grow Where You’re Thrown!”

I have so many people I could shoutout – but I’ll keep it brief! My mom, Stacey Marks, has been a huge supporter in the entire process of starting Ditch Lilies Village. I remember she was the first person I called when I found out I was accepted into the Colorado Farm and Art Market! My husband, Max Lien, has also been there for me for all of my ups & downs, as well as coming with to my markets every Saturday he can. And last, but not least, Lauren Weglarz. She is the one who recommended me to Shoutout Colorado, so I would not have had this opportunity to share my story without her. She has put up with me throughout my start up process, and being a model for my Instagram and Tik Toks 🙂

Long story short, I would not be the person I am today without my grandma, my mom, my husband, and my best friend by my side. I love you all!

Website: https://ditchliliesvillage24.etsy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ditch.lilies.village/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557741676069

Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ditchliliesvillage/_saved/