Marisa grew up in Manahawkin, where her parents moved when she was an infant. She currently resides in Rockaway, NJ. She is a graduate of William Paterson University and when she is not wearing her artist, maker, business owner hat she currently works full time for a healthcare IT company.
We enjoyed sitting down with Marisa to learn more about her business.
What did the process of starting a business look like for you?
I started selling my creations August 2021. Building my business just sort of happened without me really knowing it was happening. I know, that sounds crazy right?! I never began this journey thinking I wanted to start a business. Not at all! I just wanted to do something that made me feel happy. I had no idea what that was, but what I did know was that creating made me happy, and without even realizing it, my business was born. It has been fun, exciting, enlightening, fearful, stressful, confusing, but none the less has been the biggest blessing in disguise.
When did you first learn about your craft and medium and how did your creative journey lead you to where you are now?
When Covid hit and everything shut down, I was looking for an outlet that made me feel happy. I would go to the Jersey Shore (my happy place) and collect driftwood. I ended up making shelves out of them, bringing elements of the beach into my home. This really got my creative juices going! I decided one day to build a farmhouse bench. It came out beautiful, so I made another one. That then lead to me building welcome signs. I began selling them locally on Facebook and working with local real estate agents as a gift for their new homeowners.
One day, as I was scrolling through Facebook, saw an ocean resin charcuterie board and was mesmerized by how gorgeous it was. Being curious, and never having any experience with epoxy resin, I did some research. The next day I purchase all of the supplies and began creating my own nontoxic, food safe ocean charcuterie boards. Making each board made me feel so close to the beach, and even more so brought me so much joy and connection during a time when the world was shut down and disconnected. I wanted to share them with others in hopes it brought them as much joy as it did to me.
In September 2021, I opened up an Etsy shop to reach more people. I did really well and decided to branch out and start selling at craft fairs. I have participated in many craft fairs across NJ. In October 2022, my friend and I were shopping in Morristown. We went into Just Jersey and just fell in love with the store. My friend commented "your stuff would be perfect for the store" and next thing I knew she was talking to the owner, Tina! We had a great conversation which led me to becoming a vendor!
Who/what inspires you and your work?
The beach is my biggest inspiration. Growing up in Manahawkin, NJ, I was always at Long Beach Island. I was there every weekend growing up. The ocean was like my "church." A place where I felt safe, connected and inspired. My creative process really starts with a feeling. When I feel inspired and connected it opens up a floodgate of thoughts and ideas. Once I have a vision, it’s game on. I take action and bring that vision to life.
What are other hobbies/passions of yours? When not creating, how do you spend your time?
I love to spend time with my friends and family, especially my 2 sons, Ryan, 25 and Reed, 15. They are my biggest supporters. Being around people who I have fun with and bring out the best in me is super important. I love decorating, it is another passion of mine. Anytime I can change/update my decor and shop, it's a win for me! I also love being active. Whether that be at the gym, or a walk on the beach, or a hike, I love being out in nature in the sun as much as possible. I love to travel and hope to do more of that in 2024. In the summer I bet you can guess where you will find me :)
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Happenstance Creations is an illustrative stationary and home goods business, based out of Glen Ridge, New Jersey. Owner, Susan Krien, applies her whimsical artwork to stationary and tableware and also creates beautiful custom invitations for any special occasion. Our customers love the way her simple and colorful illustrations celebrate the beauty and nature of New Jersey.
Q: Tell us about how you started your company.
I started Happenstance Creations as a creative endeavor after spending many years in the Insurance Systems field. I truly loved my work as a business consultant but chose to take some time off when my children came along. It was while my time home with them, that my creative juices started flowing again. Making party invitations and thank you cards for my children tapped into a childhood passion of mine. I have fond memories of gathering crayons, colored paper and scissors to create cards for the holidays. I have always been a note and letter writer through my summers away at camp and college years. So in the spirit of happenstance, one weekend I randomly read in the newspapers about 2 separate women who started their own greeting card businesses. A light bulb went off and Happenstance Creations was formed!
Q: What inspired you to start making your products?
I have always loved cards and stationery. I am one that saves pretty cards and have framed a few myself. A favorite lunch time break for me, while I was working in New York City, was to wander into a card shop and read greeting cards. It provided a little comic relief, but it reinforced to me even more just how powerful sending and receiving a physical card is. So note cards became the foundation of Happenstance.
I love art and creating art so I decided to illustrate a portfolio of designs using pen, pencils and pastels. My designs , when perched on beautiful paper, are meant to enhance the message inside. I selected my signature paper,a paper that has a slight texture, a texture that adds depth and warmth to the art. I then mastered the “art” of bringing my designs to print.
As happenstance would have it…one day someone mentioned that they could see my art on tea towels. MMM I never thought of that. With the assistance of a business associate who knew this process very well, I started to offer a new product line. That has since expanded to flour sack napkins, cotton kitchen towels and linen beverage coaster napkins. The opportunity to bring art into the home seemed like a natural expansion for me. I love to cook and gather friends and family in my home, and I know there are many who share that passion.
I choose images that are all around me and a part of everyday life. My desire is to have my perspective expressed through my art and products, bring joy to the world, the home and into personal connections. I am always looking around me to find that next thing that grabs me and puts a smile on my face.
Q: Explain Happenstance Creations in 5 words.
Warm. Organic. Niceties. Purposeful. Simple.
Q: What is your favorite thing about living in New Jersey?
Oh that’s hard! I have several favorites. There are so many beautiful communities in New Jersey and opportunities to enjoy a plethora of activities! Being a lover of music-I love having access to so many live music venues such as PNC art center, Jazz in Madison and the annual balloon festival, to name a few. I am also a native New Yorker who grew up close to the beach so-being able to head down the Garden State Parkway to visit the many beautiful shore communities is amazing. In addition, the beautiful parks….Farm stands ….Bike trails and proximity to New York City all make New Jersey a wonderful state to live and raise children.
Q: What is next for Happenstance Creations?
I have several new products that I am very excited about including a new branding stationery product for entrepreneurs, a new towel option and a new holiday offering I am working on.
I pride myself on always listening to customers and being open to new ideas!
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