creative highlight
MEMBER from our community
COLEEN HEBERT
My name is Coleen, and I'm the creator of Lucy Lieu Company. I was born and raised in South Louisiana and moved to the great city of Knoxville, TN in May 2018. I love Jesus, the color yellow, gardening, cooking, singing in the car, and meeting new people.
Ever since I was a kid I've been chasing different dreams and creating all sorts of things. I'm always trying new DIYs and learning new skills. Two things that I've always loved and keep coming back to are plants and jewelry. So when I discovered how to combine the two, I knew I found the perfect match! My favorite part about making botanical jewelry is the opportunity to wear real pieces of nature as accessories to your favorite outfit.
When I started my business, I wanted the name I chose to have personal meaning for me. My mom and I have always shared a passion for jewelry, so I loved the idea of including her somehow in the name of my business. When I was a kid, my mom gave me the nickname Lucy and has called me that ever since. Using Lucy in the name gave me the opportunity to share this with my mom.
The word Lieu means "instead of." This word is a reminder to me to choose Christ in lieu of the world, faith in lieu of fear, and love in lieu of judgment. My desire for Lucy Lieu Company is to spread love and light to others on this planet, two things we can never have enough of.
Instagram: @Lucylieuco
Facebook: Lucy Lieu Co
Website: www.etsy.com/shop/lucylieuco
Ever since I was a kid I've been chasing different dreams and creating all sorts of things. I'm always trying new DIYs and learning new skills. Two things that I've always loved and keep coming back to are plants and jewelry. So when I discovered how to combine the two, I knew I found the perfect match! My favorite part about making botanical jewelry is the opportunity to wear real pieces of nature as accessories to your favorite outfit.
When I started my business, I wanted the name I chose to have personal meaning for me. My mom and I have always shared a passion for jewelry, so I loved the idea of including her somehow in the name of my business. When I was a kid, my mom gave me the nickname Lucy and has called me that ever since. Using Lucy in the name gave me the opportunity to share this with my mom.
The word Lieu means "instead of." This word is a reminder to me to choose Christ in lieu of the world, faith in lieu of fear, and love in lieu of judgment. My desire for Lucy Lieu Company is to spread love and light to others on this planet, two things we can never have enough of.
Instagram: @Lucylieuco
Facebook: Lucy Lieu Co
Website: www.etsy.com/shop/lucylieuco
Can you tell us about your introduction to art? How did you know you had a creative gift?
I remember crafting throughout my whole life. I was always creating things out of nothing at home. In Kindergarten, I remember my teacher being concerned because I kept collecting items off the floor and saving them in my pencil box in case I needed them for a craft. As an adult, this business sprouted out of a strong desire to create and being inspired by nature and fun!
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
I think I always knew one day I would be selling my creations to others, I just never knew what those creations would be! For it to be botanical jewelry makes sense because I love plants and jewelry.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don't find themselves in a creative background or field? Like family/friends/strangers?
The biggest challenge I have found in explaining what I do is sharing the whole scope of what I do. I mostly do jewelry, but I have done lots of custom items including side tables, wall decor, Christmas ornaments, and recently, a cake stand!
I remember crafting throughout my whole life. I was always creating things out of nothing at home. In Kindergarten, I remember my teacher being concerned because I kept collecting items off the floor and saving them in my pencil box in case I needed them for a craft. As an adult, this business sprouted out of a strong desire to create and being inspired by nature and fun!
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
I think I always knew one day I would be selling my creations to others, I just never knew what those creations would be! For it to be botanical jewelry makes sense because I love plants and jewelry.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don't find themselves in a creative background or field? Like family/friends/strangers?
The biggest challenge I have found in explaining what I do is sharing the whole scope of what I do. I mostly do jewelry, but I have done lots of custom items including side tables, wall decor, Christmas ornaments, and recently, a cake stand!
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
For me, creating is my favorite way to worship. I believe that God is the supreme creator and creative (I mean, look at His creation on Earth!), and that He has created each of us with access to His creativity! I think Christians should be the most creative people on the planet!
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
Yes! I love creating all sorts of things from cozy environments in the house, to cooking a new recipe! When creating jewelry, a lot of the new designs come from me getting distracted while making one of the staple designs. You never know when inspiration will hit you!
Are others in your family creative too?
Yes they are even if they don’t admit it! My dad has always been creative in his garden, coming up with new ways to get better growth from his plants. And my mom is great at coming up with solutions to solve problems!
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I think He is calling me to worship Him with the gifts He has given me. Since starting this business, it has opened doors for me to build relationships with many amazing people who don’t know the Lord. I see that as Him giving me the opportunity to share the Gospel and His love with people who have never experienced or heard it.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
I knew from the beginning that if this business was ever going to work, I would have to work at it diligently, even if I didn’t see results. And that’s just what I did. Eventually, sales started coming in and the Lord’s favor was undeniable.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
Don’t give up! Just because things get hard at times doesn’t mean you are on the wrong path. When things are tough, if we keep pushing forward, then it will make us stronger in the end. A lot of what I have learned is from googling, asking questions to more experienced people, listening to podcasts, and mainly learning from my mistakes!
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
When God gives you a dream or opens a door, DO IT. I have never regretted saying yes to the Lord. He promises to take care of you and if He calls you to it He will provide what you need. It is almost always a little scary, but to me that is a clear sign that I need to do it because fear is not from the Lord. (2 Timothy 1:7) No matter what it is, trust God and take the leap!
For me, creating is my favorite way to worship. I believe that God is the supreme creator and creative (I mean, look at His creation on Earth!), and that He has created each of us with access to His creativity! I think Christians should be the most creative people on the planet!
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
Yes! I love creating all sorts of things from cozy environments in the house, to cooking a new recipe! When creating jewelry, a lot of the new designs come from me getting distracted while making one of the staple designs. You never know when inspiration will hit you!
Are others in your family creative too?
Yes they are even if they don’t admit it! My dad has always been creative in his garden, coming up with new ways to get better growth from his plants. And my mom is great at coming up with solutions to solve problems!
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I think He is calling me to worship Him with the gifts He has given me. Since starting this business, it has opened doors for me to build relationships with many amazing people who don’t know the Lord. I see that as Him giving me the opportunity to share the Gospel and His love with people who have never experienced or heard it.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
I knew from the beginning that if this business was ever going to work, I would have to work at it diligently, even if I didn’t see results. And that’s just what I did. Eventually, sales started coming in and the Lord’s favor was undeniable.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
Don’t give up! Just because things get hard at times doesn’t mean you are on the wrong path. When things are tough, if we keep pushing forward, then it will make us stronger in the end. A lot of what I have learned is from googling, asking questions to more experienced people, listening to podcasts, and mainly learning from my mistakes!
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
When God gives you a dream or opens a door, DO IT. I have never regretted saying yes to the Lord. He promises to take care of you and if He calls you to it He will provide what you need. It is almost always a little scary, but to me that is a clear sign that I need to do it because fear is not from the Lord. (2 Timothy 1:7) No matter what it is, trust God and take the leap!