Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Wren Fawver.
Hi Hannah Wren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I come from a long line of artists, so creativity has always been a central part of my life. I studied fine art at UW–Stout, focusing on painting, before moving to the South Shore of Lake Superior in 2004. That same year I had my first son and began running a seasonal shop in Cornucopia. Over time, the shop grew into what is now Wren. Our boutique features local art, as well as my Three Sisters Studio apparel and products, and my whimsical series of gnome drawings.
As a mother of two, the shop became a place where I could blend family and work, raising my children, while building a creative business. Three Sisters Studio itself began with my two sisters and our mom. My sisters and I were raising young children at the time and it gave us a way to share our art, support one another, and be self-employed. That collaboration was as much a gift, as it was practical, but also supportive and deeply inspiring.
As our children grew, so did Three Sisters Studio. I set up a home studio and began screen printing my original designs on tea towels and children’s clothing, eventually expanding into apparel for women and men. Over the years, the business has grown steadily and become more predictable, and I’ve grown alongside it—both as an artist and as a business owner.
Having a shop Cornucopia for the past 21 years, right on the harbor on Lake Superior, has been just as much a part of my story as the art itself. This place feeds my creativity in quiet, everyday ways, walking barefoot along the beach after work or slipping into the lake for a quick dip. Watching the sun set over the water never loses its magic. Those quiet moments of connection with the lake remind me why I chose to build my life and my work here, it grounds me, inspires me, and keeps me grateful.
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?
Like most small businesses, there have definitely been challenges, finding balance while raising my two boys, navigating the ups and downs of retail, staying creative, and figuring out how to grow without losing sight of my values. But each challenge has brought growth. I’ve learned patience, adaptability, and I’m grateful for the support around me.
One valuable lesson I’ve learned is the importance of connection. Talking with other artists and small business owners has been incredibly helpful, we share ideas, encouragement, and learn so much from one another. I’m fortunate to have a wonderful community here, with many friends who also run small businesses. That sense of support makes the journey a lot more rewarding.
Looking back, it hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been deeply meaningful. The lessons I’ve learned have shaped both me and my business. I feel truly blessed to be able to do what I do and love that I had the flexibility of being able to work around my children’s schedules, and still make my business work. For me, the hardest part is the business side, websites and marketing don’t come as naturally as creating the products themselves. But even those challenges push me to grow, and I wouldn’t trade the path I’ve taken.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work is centered around screen printing my original designs, each one hand-printed in my Washburn, WI studio using water base, eco-friendly inks. I often mix in hematite flake, which adds a subtle shimmer and carries a sense of mindfulness. It’s a stone believed to protect and ground us.
My inspiration comes from the natural world around me, the shores of Lake Superior, the gulls overhead, and the flowers in my garden. I keep my style simple yet meaningful, always rooted in that connection to nature. My original Lake Superior design is especially close to my heart, the first one I sketched about 15 years ago at a knitting night with friends, and it has become the heart of my brand. What makes me proud is that my work isn’t just art, it holds a sense of place and connection to this lake and region. Seeing people wear my designs, whether nearby or across the country, is humbling and deeply rewarding.
While I’m best known for my screen-printed apparel, another part of my work is my gnome drawings. About 25 years ago, I created my first gnome Christmas card for my Danish grandparents, and since then I’ve added one or two new designs each year. Over time, they’ve grown into a whimsical little collection that I’ve turned into cards and framed prints. I grew up with the Danish stories of the Nisse (gnomes), and that tradition continues to inspire this playful side of my work.
In the off-season, I travel to festivals and holiday markets, such as Bayfield’s Apple Fest and the Scandinavian-inspired Julebyen Festival in Knife River, Minnesota. These events are always fun and give me the chance to connect with a wider audience of people who value handmade, sustainable art.
What I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is staying consistent with my values from the beginning, making environmentally conscious products and creating designs that help people feel a connection to nature and place and helping to support local artists through Wren.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
That’s a tough question, I have so many wonderful memories. I’ve been blessed with a loving family, and I’m still very close with my parents and two sisters. Growing up, we spent a lot of time camping, canoeing, gardening, and maple syruping together.
One memory that stands out is camping on the South Shore of Lake Superior when I was quite young. We stopped in Cornucopia, walked along the boardwalk, and visited the shops. I remember getting a woven bracelet at one of the shops, which I wore for years. We ran along the beach, chasing through the seagulls, I remember feeling like it was such a special, almost magical place. Those experiences really shaped my love for this area and the connection I feel to Lake Superior today.
Pricing:
- T-shirts – $22
- Sweatshirts $49-$58
- Set of two tea towels – $20
- Onesies $20
Contact Info:
- Website: wrenfineandfunctionalart.weebly.com and ThreeSisterStudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wrenonthelake and https://www.instagram.com/threesisterstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FineandFunctionalArt/ and https://www.facebook.com/ThreeSistersStudio
