Corvidae
Kalispell, Montana
Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do:
Kim: Corvidae
My name is Kim and I love the outdoors and creating things! I hand screen print home goods (mostly stuff for the kitchen) with my original artwork that is mostly inspired by the outdoors....or other nifty things! I also have an obsession with paper stuff and put my art on those as well (note cards, stickers, etc).
Let us know more about your business name - how did you come up with it?
I came up with Corvidae from my feathered friend that used to visit me every day. Corvidae is the name for the family of birds that includes Ravens, Crows, Jays, & Magpies. For several years, there was a crow that would come visit me everyday and inspired me so much that I named my business after him (in a way!)
What is your signature style / item? How did it become so?
I started out Corvidae with simple line drawings with one color and occasionally a pop of color. Most of my images are inspired by the outdoors so some may be whimsy or some may be a little more detailed.
What makes your business unique to the industry?
Handmade in small batches and made with love and enthusiasm :)
What's been your biggest roadblock when it comes to business and how have you been able to overcome?
Wanting to do all the things!!! I have so many ideas and directions I want to go and I can spread myself too thin...like that saying goes, Jack of all trades, master of none. By reigning myself in and focusing on one direction, I feel that the products I stuck with increased in quality and that the designs became stronger. It's ok not to do all the things!
How has your business had to adapt amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic? What are you doing to navigate the situation?
Covid threw me for a loop but made me realize what is important and how the business can stand on it's own. I branched out to make products for getting through the pandemic (face masks and puzzles) and put plans on hold for new products, but I really focused on my core products. People still love fun kitchen items, pandemic or not!
What is your favorite part of what you do?
Making something you can use! It's one thing to create a piece of art, but it's another making a piece of art that can do more than sit there and look pretty. I love that I can make products that I can use to do daily tasks....dry dishes, wash dishes, tote stuff around in....I love being able to create and USE my art and I hope that others do too!
What is your *must do* local activity?
HIKE! There are so many incredible hikes in the area....be it up on the ski hill in Whitefish, Herron Park in Kalispell or practically anywhere in Glacier NP. There is always some place to explore the mountains around here!