Interviewee:
Joanne D’Alessandro (she/her)
In your words… Tell us about your organization, business, initiative.
Hestia is a woman-owned custom giftware designer and manufacturer. For over 30 years we have been creating hand-made and custom design commemorative gifts and home décor accessories. Our signature product is our AmeriScape ornament but it is only the tip of our creative iceberg. We have an extensive watercolor series as well as unique, heirloom quality Nativity and Santa collections, and themed hand-painted ceramics. In addition to being a wholesale and retail art company we have a Paint Your Own Pottery Studio that is open daily for children and adults and in the evenings for private parties and events. Here, you can express your inner artist or just have fun with friends.
Tell us a bit about you and why you do what you do? Share your passions for your business, initiative, organization.
As a child my passions included art, music, and literature. To my surprise, I became a medical researcher, a career that spanned 37 years. When most people were contemplating retirement I came across a local art company for sale…back to my artistic beginnings! In an era of mass production and technology, hand-crafted items are a challenge to produce and market competitively next to machine-made items. Despite having a 19th century business model that operates in the 21st century I love offering items that are unique, hand-made, and appreciated by our customers. To own a company that is still in business after 30 years is definitely a source of pride; to have local customers tell us they love shopping in our retail store makes me very happy; to have our products sent around the world as gifts is undoubtedly an honor. The fact that our custom, hand-made items have received national attention makes me incredibly proud of the company, staff and artists who work here.
What role do you think your business plays in supporting a more creative community? OR your community in general. (Bonus! Why do you think a more creative community is important?)
Hestia Creations has three distinct community audiences who welcome our creative enterprises: 1) Many wholesale clients across the United States who embrace and welcome our signature AmeriScape ornaments and other creative offerings into their individual communities. 2) A Paint Your Own Pottery studio, where we encourage and foster creative expression with an audience from across the North Shore. 3) A retail store, where we sell our signature AmeriScape ornaments, hand-painted ceramics , and many other hand-crafted products to customers from the North Shore and beyond. A creative community thrives with individual expression, collectively binding all of us together. It is a vital component of our town. We are proud to employ creative people who live in Marblehead and are able express their talents professionally.
What was the last book you read OR What was the last video you watched that made an impact on you?
The Fabelmans
What’s the one thing people would be surprised to learn about you our your business?
We have created over 5300 custom AmeriScape ornament designs for customers across the country and Canada.
What is Creative Collective?
Creative Collective is a group of economic development strategists, small business supporters, activation specialists, and believers in the importance of the creative workforce. We foster growth, sustainability, and scalability for small businesses, creative thinkers, organizations, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Learn more and join Creative Collective at www.creativecollectivema.com/join
Hestia Creations
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Hestia is a woman-owned custom giftware designer and manufacturer. For over 30 years we have been creating handmade and, custom-made commemorative gifts and home décor accessories. Although started as the inspiration of artist Linda MacDonald, the creative tradition continues with the current owner Joanne D’Alessandro, who purchased the company in 2005 and provides the ongoing artistic vision. Most of Hestia’s
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