Bare No Tools

Basic Information

Business Name: Bare No Tools
Website: https://barenotools.square.site/
Established: 2020

Questions answered by: Marissa Hoff

Social Media

About Them

Can you please fully explain your business or product line?

Simple shapes embracing body positivity and fluid form sculpture handmade in Winnipeg. Bare No Tools is an initiative used to celebrate the relationship between the body and the art of making. These pieces were playfully crafted with the bare necessities of two hard-working hands. Bare represents a passion for design entwined with the need and desire for touch.

Bare carries a range of simple and inviting accessories for yourself or your home. Shop bold and beautiful clay pendants in the SIMPLE SHAPES collection and embrace body positivity through the BEAUTIFUL BODIES collection. Accessorize your home with zodiac wall hangings, incense burners, and plaster sculptural bookends, to be released in spring, 2021.

With the Winnipeg local maker community continuing to grow, what is the most important thing you’d like potential customers of your company to know?

I think what really makes Bare unique (aside from the bold statement pendants in the BEAUTIFUL BODIES collection – inspired by shapely and robust figures) is that I always stay true to my art form. I pursue quality and care in my products. I value deep understanding and connections with my materials and try to use salvaged items when possible. Each piece I make undergoes an intimate dance from a block of clay to a fluid shape. Any of my forms and molds used while casting the home décor collection have been designed and hand-built by me. Bare No Tools is my outlet for artist expression.

What inspired you to start your business?

I was originally drawn to sculpture while studying architecture in university. What started as intricate scale models became more abstracted through time as I started exploring volume and negative space, and using sculpture to bring my unfinished, abstracted ideas to life. I’m continually inspired by the connection between identity and space, and seeing the world around me as fluid, shifting shapes.

Frequently, I made my own pendants using bright colours to bring my monochromatic outfits to life. Friends would often comment on them and request a commission, then folks at the bus stop and grocery store also started noticing and commenting on them; it became a great icebreaker! With the encouragement of a friend, who is also a local maker, I began the long journey of marketing and selling my work!

What was the biggest struggle you’ve had to overcome?

It’s difficult not to settle and “make things for the sake of making things” or produce similar recreations of what’s on trend because you know it will sell. It’s important to me to stay close to my brand and embrace the art and process of making.

What has been your biggest success as a maker?

My biggest success has to be that very first sale to someone I didn’t know!

As a relatively new maker, it can be hard not to get caught up in comparisons of others who have been established and online for many years. I’m so thankful and have been SO lucky to be backed by the support of lovely friends and family who continue to purchase and share my work. The online community and other local markers’ support is another amazing part about being involved in this creative endeavor. It’s so important to engage with other folks on social media! Makers support makers!

Do you have any advice that you would pass on to someone hoping to start up their own business or product line?

Everyone has their own tastes and not everyone will be interested in what you make; if we all had the same style and interests, the world would be very boring! However, there will be folks who ABSOLUTELY adore your work and with those people in mind, you’ll create amazing things.

Please share any upcoming events (virtual for the time being, of course) as well as the best place(s) for people to purchase your product!

You can find us listed on the LUCKY GIRL POP UP ONLINE – a brand new virtual directory of hundreds of local makers.