Maker Story - Zinnia Designs, Tanya Chin

A Maker Story is a glimpse into the minds and lives of some of our favorite local artist and makers. We have been so fortunate to know an incredible group of talent from diverse backgrounds - each finding inspiration in different ways.

Although each artist has their own unique voice and perspective, it is safe to say they are all unified with a shared passion for creativity and for making things by hand.

We are proud to carry the work from this exceptional group of makers and wanted to provide a place to highlight their creations. We also hope this space becomes a destination to discover new ideas, interests and be inspired.

When did you start your business? 2008

What inspired you to start Zinnia-Designs? I have a BFA in ceramics from Mass art and after doing marketing for a number of years I found myself missing dirty hands. I started making gifts for friends and then opened an Etsy shop and never looked back.

What does a typical day at Zinnia-Designs look like? I get the kids off to school starting at 5:45, hopefully workout or go for a walk, check email, head downstairs to my studio. I bring Oliver, my bunny buddy in while I work. He's like working with a toddler- climbing on things, pulling on my shoelaces when he wants attention. I try to finish up my day when the kids get home starting at 3, but having a home studio allows me to work at varied times.

What product is the first style you ever made? I had a scrap piece of clay leftover and decided to get out a star stamp and press it into the clay and bring up the edges to form a little dish. I glazed the star aqua (my favorite color) and it lived on my desk at my marketing job. It held paperclips, but I received many compliments on it. I decided to make more and the rest is history. Yes I still have that original dish on my worktable today.

Are you currently working at your business full time? I call it my “full time part time” gig. My business is seasonal so Nov-Dec I work 7 days a week 12-14hrs a day and sometimes more.

What is your most popular style? And what’s your personal favorite? Everyone loves my trinket dishes with simple designs in the center. I'm partial to my anchor design as I have them all over my house and as a tattoo on my wrist.

What is the best part of owning your own business? Flexibility to adjust my schedule as needed based on my needs (a yoga class or a vacation) or for the kids (school meetings, someone gets sick, Dr appts).

What is the most challenging part of owning your own business? I'm a one woman band doing everything in my biz while running a household with 2 kids.

Where do you picture your business in 5 years? I would like to do more wholesale to fill in the gaps during the year when it's quiet. My goal is to have a bigger studio with sunlight as I've been working in my basement for 15 years and it's too hard to bring in help as there isn't enough space.

If you didn't own Zinnia-Designs what would you do? 20 years ago I thought about having a chocolate chip cookie biz. I have a great recipe (and no I won't share it). I looked into domain names, thought about the logo & packaging and did some research about baking out of your home, but I never got beyond that.