Today we’d like to introduce you to Theresa Hornstein.
Hi Theresa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Nice Girls of the North began almost 14 years ago. Anita Stech and Judy Gordon collected a group of women artisans dedicated to helping each other prosper in their craft and to help others get started. Each month, we have a sale anchored by our core members and supplemented by two or three guests. The current Nice Girls include bakers, a jewelry artist, an ice dyer, a fiber artist, a doll maker, and a photographer. Our items are high quality, made by each of us, and unique. Over the years, we’ve moved locations, added people, and lost a few members, but have stayed true to our quality and uniqueness. We are currently located in Spirit of the Lakes Community Arts, 5401 E Superior St,Duluth. Our Second Saturday Marketplace happens on the second Saturday of each month. We are currently on a break for remodeling at our site (and who doesn’t need a break after nearly 14 years) with the market starting back up in September.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has not always been smooth. Covid dealt us a nasty turn, though we compensated by moving the market outdoors. moving locations has also been difficult. There is always competition with other markets, but Duluth has so many talented people. Finding guest artists has also been a challenge.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
All the Nice Girls have a variety of jobs aside from our art. For example, I was a college biology teacher up until I retired three years ago. I dyed my yarns, printed my fabrics, and did my felting around my family and teaching schedule. Now I focus on using invasive species as natural dyes and recently published a book on it. I also teach classes at folk schools and other crafty places like SOLCA.
Bushel and a Peck, our bakers, drive over to Michigan to get fresh fruit they can’t harvest locally for making jams and jellies and adding them to their baked treats. Not many bakeries do that.
Deb, our photographer, has the ability to capture the most incredible northern lights. as well as scenes of the lake and wildlife. You can almost hear the ice crackling and the birds calling when you look at her work.
Sparrow and Berry creates these incredible stuffed animals, everything from Angus the highland cow to mermaids to Krampus. Her creations have incredible hand details and lush fabrics.
Clever Threads takes our Minnesota winters and all that snow to create one of a kind ice-dyed textiles and clothing. Each piece is hand tied, then dyed to create patterns ranging from geodes to impressionist florals.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I would say to keep experimenting. Always work on creating new things or trying new methods.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.nicegirlsofthenorth.com
- Instagram: 2ndsaturdaymarketplace
- Facebook: Second Saturday Marketplace and Nice Girls of the North
