Meet Zelba & Mary
Do you have a story behind your company name?
Zelba and Mary were the names of my paternal grandmother and mother respectively. My grandma Zelba was a talkative, piano playing, larger than life figure who taught me to knit and crochet when I was young. My mother, Mary was a phenomenal seamstress who sewed endlessly as a passion and out of necessity. She made everything from under garments to wedding dresses and everything in between.
That is awesome! Tell us more about how you got started?
I wanted to make my granddaughter a special handmade gift for her 2nd birthday, and she was in love with baby dolls and puppies so I made her a puppy she could dress and care for and always know it was made by me. Soon I was getting requests and before you know it, I’m designing and planning a business.
What a great gift! What inspires you to create?
I’m an Interior Designer by education and career; one of the first things I learned was to always look at your surroundings, be curious, notice everything. I am inspired by the classics; a black and white farmhouse’s simple form, the sophistication of European toys such as Steiff, fun, colorful fashions of Francis Valentine, or the floral headpieces of artist Frida Kahlo.
What’s a typical day like for you in the studio?
As a one woman show it varies every day from cutting, sewing and stuffing, to planning, ordering, and organizing. I tend to get in a groove and end up doing one thing a day, so if I am sewing, I’m sewing all day. I will often hand sew or knit at night while spending time with my family. No 9-5 here.
Do you have a favorite part of your maker process?
I’m a big visionary type so I love to design new collections and products and when it all comes together as planned it’s just so rewarding.
Do you have a favorite doll that you have created?
Really loving the new smaller 10” friends that were just designed and are in production for the fall/winter shows coming up. They fit just right in an adult hand and so easy for little people to carry around.
We can’t wait to see them in person. What will you be bringing to Jackalope?
I will be bringing handmade textile animal friends made from European linen and dressed in sweet fashions in a standard 15” and a smaller 10”, not including ears of course. I will also be bringing some of my new raw linen pillows and patchwork pouches that are made from fabric remnants from the animal friends. The fabric I use is expensive and I try to use every bit of it.
Now that events are picking back up again, is there a part that you missed most?
I started my business during the pandemic, so I missed being a spectator, I missed being part of the action. Mingling in crowds at art and maker shows, going to concerts to hear live music, and browsing small shops.
What do you love most about Minnesota? Top Ten Minnesota things...
Fall is my favorite season
The Mia (Minneapolis Institute of Art) is my favorite museum
University of Minnesota campus (I’m an alum) is beautiful
The Children’s Theater has fantastic shows
The Nook’s juicy lucy
Dairy Queen in the summer
MOA for shopping
Stillwater and Duluth are my favorite day trips
Minnesota State Fair is hands down my favorite event
Oh, and did I mention hockey?
Anything special you’d like to share?
Zelba + Mary is a new adventure providing simple, well-constructed soft friends for young and not so young and I’m excited to share my handmade items with everyone.
We can’t wait to see you in person this October 2nd & 3rd when Jackalope makes our debut in the Twin Cities!
Where to see more of Zelba & Marry
Website | ZelbaMary.com
Instagram | @zelbamarystudio