Rising Stars: Meet Natasha Hollweck and Taelor Reese of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Hollweck and Taelor Reese.

Hi Natasha and Taelor , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It started just like any regular hangout between two childhood best friends (since the 3rd grade specifically). We planned a craft night where Taelor taught me (Tasha) how to make resin art. Satisfied with the results, the idea of starting a business with it came about, and ended on a handshake. Thus, Wicked Wild Treasures was born.

Over the last few years, we’ve developed interests in other artistic medias such as beadwork, drawing, crochet, painting, decoden, and jewelry!

Our love of crafting is what kept our business running for 3 years now. We have done over 50 markets, dozens of customized orders, have been found in 3 local boutiques, and run our own e-commerce shop! Running our own business, along with raising a toddler, going to school full time, and working full time in fields non related to our shop has given us something to look forward to when we have the free time to work on inventory. We have also met so many wonderful friends along the way, building a community we can fall back on. We have even started running our own events! With our first event, Club Otaku at Oddfellows bar (Cincinnati) being a success, we have initiated other upcoming events such as Freaks n’ Geeks Festival at Swine City Brewing (Fairfield, OH) August 30th which features 7 local bands, and 15 artisan vendors; and are planning a Halloween event at Oddfellows October 30th.

We love working with other locals, and are beyond grateful for the foundation built by our very talented community!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Many late nights, crunch time weeks leading up to a show, and low inventory are what comes with an independent artisan business that’s being juggled around along with working full time, being a mom, and student. Just like any business, we’ve also had slow periods and even markets that end in negative. We take it as a learning lesson. How can we adjust our products and displays to appeal to the customer? Is this the right demographic and market for us? Is this time of the year a good time to sell anything? What other events took place around town? There are so many afterthoughts that keep us awake at night.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are known for offering mixed media. Our shop is 100% handmade, and we offer suncatchers, jewelry, trinket storage boxes, crochet wearables and amiguromi. We like to create what’s considered ‘out of the ordinary’. The more whimsical, the better. Add more beads. More charms. More chains. Crochet niche characters from shows and video games that appeal to die hard fans. We are the booth with the pink mushroom top, filled with sage green and pink colors, in a row of vendors in beige and black tents.

What were you like growing up?
Taelor and I (Tasha), were always the outcasts in school, but were the kind of outcasts to bring other outcasts together and have one big group of weirdos navigating the coming of age. Our friendship in 3rd grade began with a mutual interest of My Little Pony, and that set the tone of the rest of the friendship.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wicked-wild-treasures.myshopify.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wickedwildtreasures_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wickedwildtreasures