Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Marie.
Julie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story is really about starting over and finding my way back to creativity. I’ve always been an artist at heart, but after a major life change at age 41, I found myself rebuilding my life and looking for a way to turn that creativity into something of my own.
That’s where Lavender Rain began. I started creating bookish pieces, including my handmade book vases, because I loved the idea of taking something old and giving it a beautiful new purpose. What started small on Etsy grew into Lavender Rain Emporium, where I create unique pieces for book lovers, weddings, gifts, and home décor.
As I grew my own business, I also realized how many talented artists and makers were trying to figure everything out on their own. I wanted to create the kind of community I wished existed for me, which led me to start the Lavender Rain Creative Network. It connects artists and creative entrepreneurs with each other, local businesses, resources, opportunities, and support.
Today, I’m building both sides of Lavender Rain at the same time. The Emporium allows me to create and make a living from my art, while the Creative Network allows me to help other creatives build something of their own. Both came from the same place: wanting to create something meaningful, independent, and lasting from a fresh start.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not. The road here has been anything but smooth, both personally and professionally. I went through a difficult divorce after 17 years of marriage and had to rebuild my life while figuring out how to support myself and create a new future. Starting over in my 40s was intimidating, and there were times when I had very little income and a lot of uncertainty about what came next.
At the same time, I was trying to build a business with limited resources and learning nearly everything as I went. Every dollar had to be intentional, and growth has often meant reinvesting what little I made back into the business.
Building a business has meant learning almost everything as I go, often with very limited resources and very little room for mistakes. I’ve had to figure out how to make a creative business financially sustainable while also navigating the realities of starting over and building two different sides of the Lavender Rain brand.
There have been plenty of moments when I questioned whether I was doing too much or whether it would actually work. Etsy fees, supplies, shipping, marketing, and the cost of simply running a business can make growth challenging when you’re reinvesting most of what you earn.
But I think those challenges have also shaped the business. They’ve made me more resourceful, more intentional, and much more aware of how difficult entrepreneurship can be, especially for artists. That is a big part of why the Creative Network became so important to me. I don’t want other creatives to feel like they have to figure everything out alone.
It hasn’t been easy, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m still building.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work has two sides, but they come from the same place: creativity and connection.
Through Lavender Rain Emporium, I create handmade, bookish pieces with a focus on transforming old books into something beautiful and functional. My book vases are probably what I’m best known for. I love taking something that might otherwise be forgotten and giving it a completely new purpose while keeping its literary character intact. I also create book page flowers, wedding pieces, centerpieces, custom décor, and gifts for people who genuinely love books.
The other side is Lavender Rain Creative Network, which I’m incredibly proud of. It’s a growing community I created to connect artists and creative entrepreneurs with resources, opportunities, local businesses, and each other. I wanted to create more than another directory or networking group. I wanted to create a place where creatives could actually feel supported and seen.
What sets me apart is that I’m not interested in simply making products or building a business for myself. I’m passionate about creating things that have meaning and building something that helps other people create, too. Whether I’m turning the pages of an old book into art or helping another artist find an opportunity, I’m always looking for ways to give creativity a second life.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about Wilmington is its creative spirit. There is so much talent here, from artists and makers to photographers, designers, musicians, and small business owners. There’s a real sense of creativity woven into the city, and I love being surrounded by people who are building something of their own. That’s actually a big part of what inspired me to create the Lavender Rain Creative Network.
What I like least is how quickly Wilmington is changing. I understand that growth is inevitable, but sometimes it feels like we’re growing faster than we can preserve what made this city special. There are so many new apartments, houses, and developments, and the cost of living has climbed significantly. I worry that some of the charm and character that drew people here in the first place is getting lost. I’d love to see Wilmington continue to grow while still protecting the creativity, character, and sense of community that makes it such a special place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thelavenderrain.com
- Instagram: @lavenderrainemporium and @lavenderraincreativenetwork
- Facebook: @lavenderrainemporium and @lavenderraincreativenetwork
- Other: www.lavenderrainemporium.etsy.com
