Conversations with Gina McMillen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina McMillen.

Hi Gina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been a creative person, I am an oil painter and all around crafter. I learned Witchcraft from my old HS drama teacher while raising my kids and working and when I finished my year and a day course she told me “in order to learn, you must teach” so I took all the lessons that she taught me and I made it into a book “The Book of Beginning Witchcraft”. To me, it seemed like this info just wasn’t out there and I wanted it to be, I wished it was easier for me to find it so that’s what I did. Then Covid struck and I found myself without a job.

Black Lake Witch was born out of Covid and not wanting to deal with the public on the level that I was entrenched. My first thought was to make Witch Boxes that coincided with my book. Starter Kits really. From there I’ve just figured out what works and doesn’t work for me. Vending is great but not too much, I prefer to have my products in retail shops but that isn’t exactly easy either. I have had some success and I’m happy with the products I have out there. I try to make products that I personally want and I make them at the highest quality that is possible.

Then came the zine… The Witch Collective Zine has been such a great creative outlet. I don’t have all the knowledge that I wish I had, but collectively as a community, I can take my talent of graphic art and use it to share everyone’s knowledge. Miss Kelly and I have produced 12 issues now and It’s been really full-filling.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The struggles is real. A one woman army to bring a product to light and then sell it all to make your money back + some. Then take it all and put it into another product while handling your own marketing and social channels… so manythings to remember and consider. Branding, website, product, salemanship, should I vend … thank goodness I have a husband that feeds me and my kids are adults.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Product wise, I really try to make things that we need and want over and over again. And while I use the top shelf ingredients, I try to have fun when naming them. I’m very direct and I think I’m hilarious so I really just entertain myself. I’m very lucky to have educated witches around me to fill me in on just how great my products are beyond what I have intended them for. Bitch Be Gone cleansing spray, for example, was crafted out of the necessity of having a smokeless product for cleansing. Turns out it cleanses not only your space and the vibes but you can use it as an attitude adjustment and it magically dispels headaches and bugs hate it.

I’m known for my graphic design. Not only did I design my own brand & a quarterly zine but I also designed for my husband’s bands. I make band merch, and I’m hired out from venues for band flyers. I just designed my first vinyl package and that was so fun. Cover, lyric pages and album stamp… I can’t wait to do another one. I also make my own “band merch” but for witchcraft.

I don’t know what sets me apart, but I know that when I make something you recognize that’s it’s me. IDK. I’m not on the outside looking in so I can’t explain, I’m just in it to win it. I just have a style I guess. A little creepy but nice

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I would love to say that I’m lucky but you have to know what you want and work it to get anything. I think about black lake witch and The witch collective zine all day and all night, I constantly have new ideas, I send out random emails to strangers, I network hard, I take risks and learn from my mistakes. Sometimes you have rice & beans weeks and somethings it’s steak & potatoes. Nothing is luck, everything is work. Just keep going.

Pricing:

• a 1/4 page ad in the zine is only $35
• You can subscribe to the zine through our Patreon for only $3 a month
• Zines are $6 each
• I sell my products wholesale to shops!
• for $50 I can put together a killer gift for your event

Contact Info:

• Website: https://blacklakewitch.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/blacklakewitch
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/blacklakewitch
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/threechordkings
• Other: https://instagram.com/thewitchcollectivezine

Image Credits
All photos belong to Gina McMillen and Black Lake Witch