Cynthia Oswald

Surface Design, Fine Art + Branding for Creatives

Local Matters

An Interview with Melissa from Phoenixville Honey

Cultivating Creativity and Community Through Beekeeping:
An Interview With Melissa from Phoenixville Honey

In this conversation, Cynthia and Melissa explore Melissa’s journey into beekeeping, the intersection of creativity and nature, and their collaborative efforts in the local arts community.

Interview with Melissa from Phoenixville Honey

Cynthia: Hi Melissa, thanks for joining me today! I’m excited to dive into everything honey and your creative endeavors. Could you start by sharing a bit about your journey and how Phoenixville Honey came to be?

Melissa: Absolutely! We started our journey in May 2015, though the planning and learning began a bit earlier that winter. My husband suggested we get bees, and being a bug enthusiast, I was all in! We signed up to get a starter hive, a nucleus hive, and picked it up in May. By 2018, I had taken over most of the beekeeping as my husband often goes out to sea. We had an excess of honey, more than we could consume, so in 2019, I decided to start selling it. We got everything rolling with the Department of Agriculture, and by 2020, I joined farmer’s markets. Now, I’m in my 10th season of beekeeping!

Cynthia: Wow, what a journey! Did your first hive go smoothly, or were there any challenges?

Melissa: Surprisingly, it went very well. We made a split from the first hive to create a second hive by the end of the first year. Winter losses can happen despite all the preparation, but overall, things went smoothly.

Cynthia: That’s great to hear! Can you explain a bit about how you manage the hives, especially when it comes to the queens?

Melissa: When a hive needs a new queen, they can raise one themselves as long as they have freshly laid eggs from the prior queen. You can take a frame of eggs, place it in a new hive with some food and bees, and they’ll raise a new queen.

Cynthia: That’s fascinating! When did you decide to go full-time with beekeeping?

Melissa: Around 2019-2020. I had left my full-time office job about ten years prior and ran a small photography business. But once beekeeping took over, I had to put photography on the back burner.

Cynthia: I love seeing your videos about the hives! It must be so inspiring.

Melissa: It really is. There’s an odd sense of calm with the bees’ buzzing. It’s very peaceful and my happy place.

Cynthia: Besides beekeeping, you’re also involved in various artistic endeavors. Can you tell us about balancing both?

Melissa: Sure! As a small business owner, you wear many hats. I enjoy incorporating art into everyday items. Our logo, for example, started as a printmaking project. I love printmaking and sewing because it’s a hands-on process that brings joy and satisfaction from creating something tangible.

Cynthia: How has working closely with bees deepened your connection to nature and influenced your art?

Melissa: Beekeeping teaches you to slow down and pay attention to nature’s cues, like when certain plants bloom. This attentiveness parallels in art, where you have to appreciate the process and medium. It’s about enjoying the journey, not just the result.

Cynthia: You’ve shown incredible support for local artists and businesses. What motivates you to collaborate and support the community?

Melissa: I believe in incorporating art into everyday life. Whether it’s a dress, table linens, or upholstered furniture, making art part of daily living adds beauty and joy. It’s also about community—supporting and collaborating with local artists enriches us all.

Cynthia: You’ve attended my art shows in custom-made dresses from my patterns, which was amazing to see! How do you integrate art into your beekeeping business?

Melissa: Sewing is a form of self-expression and body positivity for me. I also create hand-printed tea towels, tote bags, and beeswax candles for markets. Recently, I collaborated with Dan of the Bunyip Collective to design tote bags, donating part of the proceeds to Natural Lands.

Cynthia: You’ll be joining us at our upcoming art show, “Nature’s Table,” in October. Can you share what you’ll be bringing to the show and what visitors can expect?

Melissa: I’m really excited for “Nature’s Table!” I’ll be bringing a selection of our seasonal honeys, including our dark, rich late-season honey with flavors like molasses and brown sugar. Visitors can sample these honeys and experience the different flavors that change with the seasons.

Cynthia: That sounds wonderful! What are your future goals for Phoenixville Honey and your artistic projects?

Melissa: I’m happy with the current balance of my hives and work. I always look for new product ideas, like the honey bear jars we’re introducing this fall. The annual sampler box with different honey varieties is also a staple. I plan to continue supporting local events and maybe work on new designs for the winter markets.

Cynthia: Where can people find you and your products?

Melissa: You can find me at the Downingtown, Eagle View, and Malvern Farmers Markets. My full schedule is on my website, and I participate in various fall markets and pop-up events. The Good Food Fest in the fall is always a highlight.

Cynthia: Thank you for sharing your story, Melissa! I’m excited to see you at “Nature’s Table” and continue following your journey.

Melissa: Thank you! I’m looking forward to it too.

Website: phoenixvillehoney.com

Instagram: @phoenixvillehoney

An Interview with Audra from Life at the Nest

Embracing the Art of Slow Living:
An Interview with Audra from Life at the Nest

I’m thrilled to share my conversation with Audra from Life at the Nest with you. Audra’s journey from teaching to creating a homestead filled with DIY projects, homegrown food, and timeless traditions is truly inspiring. In this interview, she shares her experiences, the importance of setting the table with intention, and her favorite foods to grow in the garden. Join us as we dive into the art of slow living and how these practices can bring more joy and connection into our daily lives.

Interview with Audra from Life at the Nest

Cynthia: Hi Audra, it’s so nice to see you. Thanks for coming here and agreeing to chat with me today. Your career journey, combining gardening, food, and home life, really resonates deeply with me. Could you share how you transitioned from teaching to creating Life at the Nest and what inspired this journey?

Audra: Well, I’ll start with college. I imagined a work-life balance as a teacher, but when we had our first baby, I realized I couldn’t let go and put my child in daycare. We decided as a couple to become a single-income family, which meant embracing a DIY lifestyle to live frugally. Growing, canning, and cooking from scratch became essential, especially when our eldest son developed a complex immune disease. This push back to my roots laid the foundation for Life at the Nest.

Cynthia: I was struck by a video where you talked about the importance of setting the table. It inspired me to dig out my family linens. Can you share why setting the table holds such significance for you?

Audra: That tradition comes from my mother-in-law. She used a tablecloth and linen napkins daily, making mealtime special. It slows things down and brings the family together. Dining together is as much about connection as it is about calories. It’s a way to honor family and create meaningful moments.

Cynthia: Your way of life seems to resonate with a cultural desire for mindfulness, embracing nature, and reviving traditional practices. How do you think incorporating these practices benefits our daily lives?

Audra: I’m thrilled to see a shift towards slowing down and connecting. Social media has ironically brought people back to their roots, seeking knowledge on cooking, home care, and frugality. Teaching workshops on these subjects connects people to their heritage and fosters a sense of community.

Cynthia: What is your favorite food to grow and why?

Audra: Tomatoes and strawberries are my favorites. You can’t find store-bought ones that taste like homegrown. Growing these transports me back to my childhood and the joyful, communal experience of working in the garden with family.

Cynthia: How about flowers—do you have a favorite and why?

Audra: Choosing a favorite flower is like choosing a favorite child, but I love zinnias, sunflowers, peonies, and hydrangeas. They bring vibrant color and joy, and they have a long-lasting beauty that brightens any space.

Cynthia: For someone just starting on their journey towards self-sufficiency and homesteading, what one piece of advice or physical tool would you recommend?

Audra: Start small to avoid overwhelm. My favorite garden tool is the Hori Hori knife. It’s versatile for digging, weeding, and planting. In the kitchen, I love OXO kitchen scissors—they’re incredibly handy for various tasks.

Cynthia: Can you share the story about the hen that inspired your logo?

Audra: Bella, a Buff Orpington chicken, survived a fox attack that killed most of our flock. We stitched her up and she went on to mother a new batch of chicks, symbolizing resilience and the spirit of rebuilding after adversity. She embodies what Life at the Nest stands for.

Cynthia: Where can people find and connect with you?

Audra: You can follow me on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and visit my blog on Life at the Nest. I share stories, tutorials, and tips on self-sufficiency and homesteading.

An Interview with Christy Campli from Growing Roots Partners

An Interview with Christy Campli from Growing Roots Partners

This month, I’m thrilled to feature Christy from Growing Roots Partners, a Chester County-based community event and farmers market coordinator. Her work epitomizes the blend of local agriculture, handcrafted products, and community spirit.

About Growing Roots Partners

Growing Roots Partners orchestrates three weekly year-round farmers markets in Chester County, along with a monthly artisan market, Craft & Mercantile. They also host numerous community events, including the signature annual Good Food Fest. Their focus is on supporting small businesses, local farmers, and producers with a strong emphasis on local PA food and handcrafted items.

Community and Events

Christy took over Growing Roots Partners four years ago, carrying forward the founder Lisa O’Neill’s vision of promoting local agriculture and farmers markets. From managing three weekly farmers markets to producing large-scale community events like the Downingtown and Radnor Fall Fests, their mission remains steadfast: to cultivate a thriving local food ecosystem and foster community engagement.

Craft & Mercantile and Good Food Fest

Craft & Mercantile is a juried night market celebrating local artisans and producers, held seasonally with applications opening thrice a year. The Good Food Fest, an annual event since 2019, showcases an epic farmers market with over 120 vendors, live cooking demos, a pouring room featuring local beverages, kids’ activities, live music, and more. It’s designed to introduce people to the rich local food scene and the vibrant community supporting it.

Memorable Moments

One of Christy’s most cherished memories includes a day when multiple farmers called to report record-breaking sales at the Malvern Farmers Market. Another highlight was receiving heartfelt thank-you notes from vendors after the first Good Food Fest, emphasizing the event’s impact and the strong sense of community it fostered.

Future Growth

Looking ahead, Christy envisions expanding their events and markets, attracting more visitors and shoppers to support local vendors. They aim to grow their team and enhance community engagement, ultimately driving a cultural shift towards supporting local food and handcrafted products.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Growing Roots Partners offers various sponsorship levels, providing businesses the chance to align with their mission of supporting local agriculture and community. Sponsorships help sustain events like the Good Food Fest, contributing to the overall growth and impact of local markets and vendors.

Join the Movement

The next Good Food Fest is scheduled for Sunday, November 3rd. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the best of local agriculture, artisanal products, and community spirit.

Thank you, Christy, for your unwavering dedication to fostering local communities and supporting small businesses. Your efforts truly make a difference!

Be sure to mark your calendars for November 3rd and join us in celebrating the best of local food and community at the Good Food Fest. For more details and to get involved, visit the Growing Roots Partners website.

An Interview with Artist & Photographer, Tina Crespo | Chester County Studio Tour 2023

Cynthia Oswald original watercolors

An Interview with Artist & Photographer, Tina Crespo

Chester County Studio Tour 2023

Last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tina Crespo, an artist and photographer who will be joining Emily Mullet and myself at Studio #5 for the Chester County Studio Tour this May. Tina is a mixed media artist who also provides brand and product photography for creative businesses. After years of working in the photography industry and building knowledge around composition, lighting, and styling, she ventured off on her own and began a career supporting other creative businesses while developing her unique style as an artist. During this interview, we talked about her journey as a professional creative and what visitors can expect to see during the Chester County Studio Tour.

Some of my favorite excerpts from this interview: 

“The whole point of this particular collection is understanding what does it mean to be well loved. What is a well-loved object? For me, it’s something that’s a little bit destroyed. It’s something that’s worn down. It’s an old photograph that’s been touched a million times. A recipe that has been handed down generation after generation …”

“The whole collection comes back to broken things are beautiful. It’s bittersweet—this life that we’re living—and you can have these moments of being broken and also being refreshed at the same time. That’s really what I want people to feel when they come in. A sense of something leaving and something arriving at the same time.”

Watch the interview above to learn about her work and what inspires her to create.

Check out her work at tinacrespo.com and follow along on her Instagram journey here. If you are interested in joining her upcoming photography workshops reserve your spot here.

Tina Crespo
Tina Crespo

Works by Tina Crespo are available at the Chester County Studio Tour, Studio #5 in Phoenixville

“Life’s Simple Pleasures” Artist Talk

“Life’s Simple Pleasures” Artist Talk

“My hope is that this work can serve as a visual reminder to focus on flourishing, see the beauty and magic in the present moment, and that the wild abundance that exists in nature is also accessible to us.”

“Life’s Simple Pleasures” Artist Talk

The Jeweled Warrior Exhibit

September 30th, 2022

Thank you for joining me tonight. Thank you, Kristin, for inviting me to share my work and for choosing me to collaborate with you on your brand and website. You are a dream client and I feel so fortunate to have met you! 

When Kristin reached out I was just wrapping up my MFA, Leona, my oldest daughter was 1 1/2 (now over 4), and we were heading into the pandemic. When we were talking about her brand, she told me a story about traveling with her parents to St. John’s as a child and how they visited a local jewelry shop where her dad would purchase handmade jewelry pieces for her mom. Those early memories of watching her parents, traveling, and appreciating nature influenced the space we stand in today. I love that story because it parallels memories of my own parents. It also parallels the why behind my work here tonight—I believe wholeheartedly in getting really clear on the memories that bring you joy and leaning into things you feel passionate about. Over the last couple of years, Kristin and I have worked together to bring her ideas to life through The Jeweled Warrior brand. I’m so happy to be here, in this beautiful space, bringing our creative visions together. 

Okay, so this art… I remember the moment I knew I was going to be an artist. I was doing a report on African antelopes in second grade. I drew an Impala to include with the report and I still remember it emerging from the paper as I drew it. I was amazed at how I brought it to life out of seemingly nowhere—I was 7 or 8. There are many other moments that weave together my story that aren’t directly related to drawing. My guess is that you too, can recall the memories that stand out in your mind as significant to who you’re meant to be, or how you’re meant to spend your time.  

There have been ebbs and flows to my creative practice. It has always been a dedication of our most precious resource—time. And through these ebbs and flows, it’s been a journey to really hone in on my creative voice. Fielding negative comments (both internally and externally) has been a large part of learning to persist in my practice. I have listened to the doubt creep in to the back of my brain (even today) and quit on myself more than a few times, losing momentum, but I would be drawn back to the practice like a magnet. It literally takes energy for me to resist it. And over these last few years, I’ve been intentional about not giving up, setting aside time to explore my creative ideas, and allowing myself the freedom to infuse that into both my personal life and my business. That’s why this collection holds a special place for me.  

What I think is different about this group of paintings, for me, is that it marks a turning point in my creative practice—a dedication unlike any other time in my life. It’s a visual representation of what it looks like for me to have a creative rhythm, embracing who I am, and choosing to appreciate life’s simple pleasures despite what might be happening around me.  

About ten years ago now, I kept having this reoccurring dream that I was in my house—it had two sides—the side that I lived in, which looked pretty good. It had everything I needed and was reminiscent of where I was at the time. In the dream, a friend or family member would arrive to the front door and I would take them on a tour of the house. Before I would take them into the side I lived in … I would always say something along the lines of “Would you like to see this other side? I never use it but it’s pretty cool. I should really rent it out or use it.” And then we would walk through a room full of beautifully appointed children’s toys, a kitchen with every amenity, and a beautiful master bedroom that was perfectly decorated and pristine, with a dream bathroom. Each time it was slightly different but it always had the same feel. I was hoarding an abundance of beauty and literally doing nothing with it. I was clueless as to why this dream kept haunting me. And I’m sure just listening to me talk about it, you already have a sense of its meaning.

It was through the shedding of relationships, changing of habits, and learning to trust my intuition that I rediscovered my passion and felt the most balanced and fulfilled I’ve ever felt—my life started to represent something that I was excited by. And … the dream that was haunting me finally stopped. 

The joy I find in the process of painting is worth the practice alone. That feeling of something emerging from the page still surprises me today. There is something deeply soothing to my soul about weaving together a piece of art, one brushstroke at a time. I imagine my grandmother knitting and I know it’s the same feeling. Over time, I’ve blended my love of fine art and design by incorporating patterns into my work. This blend is also about embracing what comes natural to me, and excites me. Art and life often parallel one another. Do you see the magic in patterns? Seemingly unrelated happenstance or moments in time divinely unfolding? Patterns have always fascinated me. Almost like little winks from God that I’m heading in the right (or wrong) direction. Just ask me the story about how I met Steven.

Focusing on nature has allowed me to really lean into this idea of appreciating the beauty around me at any given moment. It’s helped me bring more beauty into my world in times when it didn’t feel natural to focus on flourishing. A walk through the forest, the coming of spring, the variety of plants found in our backyards, natural compositions that form out of seemingly nowhere. Like us, nature goes through seasonal shifts—each one having a different purpose. But ultimately thriving despite the ebbs and flows. In this season of life that I’m currently in, my creative practice truly has to do with slowing down to see the beauty or magic at any moment. I’m absorbing and reflecting on all of the goodness that comes with taking in life’s simple pleasures, in an effort to bring more of that into my world, and I hope you see that reflected in my work. My hope is that this work can serve as a visual reminder to focus on flourishing, see the beauty and magic in the present moment, and that the wild abundance that exists in nature is also accessible to us.

Thank you Mom and Dad for instilling a love of nature, the arts, and enjoying the small stuff. Thank you Steven for always supporting me in my creative endeavors—he built 90% of these frames and the propagation displays for this show. Thank you Isa, Leona, and Viola for breathing new life and perspective into my artistic practice. They have reminded me that possibility, hope, adventure, and discovery are everywhere if you look close enough. Thank you, Emily Mullet and Tina Crespo for coming alongside me this year (and hopefully beyond) to chat art and share in our creative experiences. Thank you all for coming and supporting this work. It’s such an honor to have you here! 

Transform your space into a sanctuary of peace and natural beauty. Explore my collection of original art, linen wall hangings, and bespoke wallpaper, each piece crafted to inspire tranquility and well-being. Interested in a custom creation that perfectly matches your vision? Let’s collaborate to bring your unique idea to life. Reach out today to discover how we can enhance your environment with art that resonates with the soul. Together, we’ll create a space that reflects the beauty of nature and the essence of your personal style.

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