Meet Trailblazer Kathryn Lemancik

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Lemancik.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Kathryn. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As an only child of working parents, I spent many hours home alone. My mother owned a women’s clothing store and my father managed a large grocery store. I’ve always enjoyed creating things with my hands and filled many of those hours learning to crochet granny squares, playing my piano, and making friends with my mother’s sewing machine. I’ve never been formally trained in sewing. I have basically learned by trial and error… probably mostly error!

Libby Lou Creations came to life shortly after I made my first Christmas tree for my mother. At the time, she was in a nursing home, it was the holiday season and I wanted to bring a little special Christmas cheer to her room. Inspired by the enthusiastic response I received from people who saw that tree, I decided to create trees for others to enjoy as well.

I displayed my trees publicly for the first time at a large Phoenix arts and crafts boutique four years ago and was amazed at the positive response I received from attendees as well as other vendors. As my customer base has grown, my product line has changed as well. Some items have been discontinued and new items have been added.

I am retired and this is a wonderful way to fill my days while allowing me to feed and express my creative side. My goal is to be different, unique and to offer a quality product but most of all just to be me!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have been very fortunate in that my biggest challenge has been trying to keep up with demand. The bunnies have been my biggest challenge right from the start, I just can’t make them quick enough and that’s a good problem to have!

I have a great support system at home with my husband and several close friends that push me forward as well. I recently had surgery on my hand and fingers which set me back a bit but I believe if you seriously want something it’s achievable and you can get there with determination, hard work, and a positive attitude.

We’d love to hear more about Libby Lou Creations.
I currently offer my handcrafted Christmas Trees, Libby Bunny and Louie Bunny and will be introducing Ellie Fanté and Elbert the Elephant at an arts and craft show this fall. In the beginning, wanted to be known for my Christmas trees but the bunnies are giving them a run for their money!! And that’s OK in my book!

One of a kind designer Christmas Trees

My Christmas trees are truly a labor of love. They are also in keeping with the artisan tradition of bygone days where everything was made by hand. Each Christmas tree is an individual work of art taking approximately seven hours to complete. My use of quality fabrics and hand-sewn embellishments means that each tree is individual and unique, so no two are exactly alike — although they are all put together with love and care.

Because I see my trees as a work of art they are quite diverse in color and design. Many are made with traditional holiday fabrics and colors but when I choose fabrics I generally go with colors and prints that speak to me, which means you may see orange, teal, purple, black and more.

These quality handcrafted one-of-a-kind Christmas trees bring beauty and joy to your home, Christmas trees that will enhance any décor with a touch of class.

Libby Bunny and Louie Bunny

I was a vendor at a large arts and crafts show last year and a fellow vendor asked if I had thought about adding something new since my product was so seasonal. My immediate response was “no” but later that day I said to her “bunnies, I’ll make designer bunnies”!!

Libby Bunny and Louie Bunny made their debut in February. That very first Louie Bunny rewarded me with orders for five more and it hasn’t slowed down since! My bunnies have a personality all their own and always bring a smile to people’s faces. Every bunny is sewn with quality fabrics, I hand embroider the eyes, nose, and mouth and each bunny requires approximately 5 hours work from start to finish.

Ellie Fanté and Elbert the Elephant

Ellie and Elbert will be introduced and available at an arts and crafts show in Scottsdale this November. Each little elephant is 7 inches tall and 11 inches long and takes approximately 2-1/2 hours of work. I’m looking forward to showing them at my booth.

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I feel that networking is very important. Look at what other people are doing. What are they making, what are they selling. If you are making or selling something similar, what sets your merchandise apart from the rest? Talk to other vendors or people who work in the same field as you. You can learn so much from them about success and how to keep moving forward, and failure and how to overcome it.

Am I in competition with the other vendors — kind of — but we are all aiming for the same thing – to be successful. I prefer to say I am in competition with myself to continue to improve my sales, to evolve my company, and to maintain quality products. As well as being an artist, I am also a business owner, and I am constantly re-evaluating my products and seeking to come up with new creations that would appeal to my audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.libbyloucreations.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LibbyCreations/

Image Credit:
Kathryn Lemancik

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