Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Macdonald.
Hi Kathryn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Over 6 years ago my daughter Maggie held her Senior Project (high school) art show in the space where she worked at the time. Her boss saw how receptive people were to her art that she offered her/us a portion of her space. We started small in the front room with Maggie’s art and my textile and jewelry pieces. Soon we had taken over the whole space and have been a sparkling gem of downtown ever since.
We opened our doors with just a few artists and are now over 70-strong. All the works are handmade or one-of-a-kind, locally made by artisans who call the Upstate home. We are very proud of this! We are the only store downtown to sell exclusively locally made items. Although we are not right on Main St, people are willing to walk one block, follow the signs, and are rewarded by a sweet, friendly anti-Amazon environment oozing with creativity.
We have customers who come visit every time they are here in Spartanburg. Some come from New York, California, Ohio, and Idaho… we are always surprised by their responses- they just love the atmosphere and the products they just can’t find anywhere else.
2 years ago Maggie opened her own studio /gallery just down the street at 870 East Main and is a thriving local artist. I continue to enjoy making textile-related art pieces such as suede and fur purses, boutique-style clothing, hand-knit scarves, and shawls. Our jewelry styles range from simple and petite to loud, bold, and organic. With over 70 artists supplying us with our goods, we have a wide range of items and variety from children’s finger puppets, to ceramic flower pots and wooden dog bowl stands.
After 6 years of serving the community with a creative haven and getting away from the mainstream, we are proud to still be in business and welcome the growth in Spartanburg. We’re eager to meet all our new neighbors who have moved here from near and far.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Our biggest struggle has been location. Although the store is in a great location the parking is so challenging and if customers aren’t willing to walk one block down from Main Street, then they miss us.
We have participated in many marketing advertising campaigns but the best seems to be our signs and word of mouth. We continue to post daily on social media to promote our store and the wonderful artists who supply us.
Even, we still have locals come in and ask how long we’ve been open… when we answer 6 years, they can’t believe it, they just didn’t know we’re here.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been sewing since I was 4. I just love everything about sewing. I am a bit of a rebel about following the rules. I tell my students who want to sew as I do, that they have to learn the rules before they can break them. I love to sew things upside down, helter-skelter, and funky. I’ve always loved being different from others.
I spoke German at home growing up so that already made me different. Then as I grew, none of my pants were long enough so I started sewing other fabrics on the ends of my pant legs. Today I add ruffles and swaggy sways to sleeves and pantlegs. I turn jackets into vests and shirts into dresses. Anything that my creative spirit can conjure up.
I love quality fabrics, especially cotton, linen, and wool. I like to rescue fabric at the thrift store or when customers give me their old clothes. Today’s fast fashion is so harmful to the environment and so wasteful. My upcycled boutique fashion is helping relieve some of that burden by putting those resources to good use a second and third time. I also have a designer line made right here in the store called OMY.
This line of uniquely curated patterned dresses boasts multiple colors and combinations of fabrics. They come in long, short, or no sleeves and varying lengths of the hemline. These designer dresses are a rare find and our customers love them!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
My favorite podcast is called “The seedbed daily text” by JD Walt.
It’s a refreshing Christian perspective about the Awakening movement I’m interested in.
Most of my creative perspectives come from nature and the dreams that God gives me.
Contact Info:
- Website: thekindredspirits.net
- Instagram: @the.kindred.spirits
- Facebook: The Kindred Spirits
