Today we’d like to introduce you to April McPherson.
Hi April, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Trail Folk Designs started sort of by accident. The story unfortunately stems from the tragic event of my mom having a stroke in December of 2018 that sadly left her blind at a young 58 years of age. Beyond the hardships that stemmed from this, the progress and strength she’s shown towards her new life gives me so much hope, motivation, and tenacity towards my small business. I feel very grateful and honored to be doing something I know she’s proud of, even if she cannot physically see it. As kids, we were surrounded by creativity, and our mom always “making” – she’s the ultimate bead collector and I swear she’s created masterpieces with very little.
In the summer of 2019 shortly after my mom returned home from care facilities, I felt the urge to create…and jewelry specifically. What launched in November of 2019 has flourished into three years of creating wearable art. I’m still humbled anytime someone wears a piece of Trail Folk, and it’s unreal to think how many pieces are being worn across the globe!
My love for photography started as a young adult around 12-13 years of age, and I ultimately studied photography and graphic design in college. I am happiest in nature and always in awe by the perfect imperfections mother earth provides. This is absolutely where I find the most influence for my work!
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?
Any small business owner will likely admit there are plenty of challenges, hurdles, and roadblocks with not only starting a business but maintaining and growing it too! For me personally, the biggest obstacle has been finding the balance between all of the life things! I work an 8-5-day job, I’m in a band that plays shows rather regularly and is currently working on a second album, and I run Trail Folk Designs – every aspect of it. There definitely is a balance that needs to happen among these commitments, or else nothing would ever get done! Some days I don’t feel like making jewelry, or I’m all out of ideas. And some days practicing my instrument feels harder than it actually is. But again, the goal is balance.
I would absolutely love to see Trail Folk and music be at the forefront of where I spend the majority of my time, but the reality of it for me is that I am not financially able to make the leap to full-time artist yet. I think saying “yet” is key here. That IS the goal, and I do look forward to that coming to fruition one day.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the sole owner and creator behind Trail Folk Designs which is a handcrafted jewelry company. I specialize in pieces that are for the everyday jewelry wearer – the one that wants a little glitz but nothing too overboard. The one that loves and appreciates all the little beauties that nature brings, and the one that loves the organic beauty of handmade jewelry. I started off creating only earrings and necklaces but have since grown to incorporate minimal rings and a couple of styles of bracelets.
This may sound cliche but the thing I’m most proud of is simply following my voice & heart through all of this. Staying true to what I love and building connections with beautiful humans across the globe. Connections that start as conversations about jewelry but evolve too so much more. I do believe that the genuineness comes through in my work. The passion shines the brightest, and people relate. That’s what I love most about what I do with Trail Folk Designs.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I hope to see the industry of handmade goods expand exponentially over the next several years. I think there has been so much to unsettle us all in the last few years, that finding these connections with others through beautiful creations reignites that sense of belonging and happiness. There’s a large following of folks who truly love handmade and will do their best to only buy handmade goods whenever they can. So, at that point, it’s less about trends or things changing in the industry and more about supporting one another as humans. I can’t think of a more beautiful outlook for the industry of handmade goods.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TrailFolkDesigns.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/TrailFolkDesigns
- Facebook: facebook.com/TrailFolkDesigns
- Other: www.MountaintopSoundBand.com
Image Credits
April McPherson
