What’s in Your Bloomers? We Hope It’s North in Bloom!
Cilantro people, guacamole enthusiasts, and all around pun-lovers will get a kick out of this Sudbury local’s new design line! Andrea Ouellette has officially launched North in Bloom, a snarky collection of prints and products guaranteed to brighten your day and your home (our personal favourite is “Not Today, Satan”). Learn how Andrea began North in Bloom, and find out how Our Crater readers can get 20% off any purchase!
Tell us about yourself! What’s your story, and how did you begin North in Bloom?
I’m Andrea Ouellette, and I’ve always liked to make things. Since I was little, I was constantly making crafts, art and messes, and I was lucky enough to be encouraged by my family to pursue it. I started making some cheeky illustrations and I’d hang the originals in my home, dreaming of huge gallery walls and products that didn’t just show who I was, but how my brain works and what my priorities are. In a lot of ways, I think art can be inaccessible to the general public; my priority has always been to create things that bring a smile to peoples faces and makes them happy, not to force them into being something they’re not.
We love the name North in Bloom; it reminds us of the beauty of northern Ontario. How did you come up with the name and banding aesthetic?
Growing up, I think I was dead set on hating it in Northern Ontario. I couldn’t wait to get out, picturing myself in New York City, Toronto, Los Angeles, anywhere that I could go and be somebody. But as I planned my escape I realized that for the time being, I was in Sudbury, and I might as well make the most about it. I learned how to enjoy my home (it’s not a skill people are born with) and I learned how to embrace my community. I really feel like Sudbury has bloomed and changed over the last 20 years, and since I got to see all of that change, I wanted my business and my livelihood to be a little like a love letter to my home town.
Design requires a lot of creativity and imagination, and we want to know; where do you draw inspiration from when creating your designs?
I feel like I very much have a voice that never stops in my head. It’s constantly making “That’s what she said” jokes and being generally snarky and sarcastic, and it usually gets me into trouble. For most of my life, I’ve ignored that little, cheeky voice because of things like manners, being socially acceptable, and not alienating my loved ones. Essentially, for the same reason I put on pants before I leave the house. But once I realized that I could make things that make people happy and make them smile, I decided to embrace it. That little voice has encouraged me for 22 years now, and I think it’ll entertain a lot of people.
You just opened an online store! Where can we order your products and prints, and which products are you most excited about?
I did just open an online store! You can order my prints and products at my website, www.northinbloom.com, where I offer prints as well as accessories like phone cases, throw pillows and apparel. I’m really excited about the new tank tops we’ve released, they’re printed on American Apparel flowy tanks and they drape so nicely over any body! Perfect for summer, I’ve released a limited collection in that style and I’m so happy that they’ve received so much love and positive feedback!
Do you have any new and exciting products, designs, or events lined up for the summer?
On July 7th, at The Fromagerie, I have a collection launch coming up. I’ll be displaying prints of my most popular designs which are going to be available for order there in the $15-30 dollar price range. To have such a great space that’s willing to display my work so early on is truly mind blowing, and to be a part of such a supportive creative community is a real gift. And if you see some prints you love, check out my website to see what other goods they’re printed on!
Also, for our crater readers, I’ve created a discount code to help celebrate their launch party that’s coming up the week after mine! Use CRATER20 on my store to get 20% off of all products!
One last question…is there a story behind the phrase “my grandpa think I have sassmouth”?
Not so much a story, but a lifetime of raised eyebrows, questions about what things mean and a general hesitance to laugh at any of my jokes really keeps me fresh. I know that if my Poppa is a little uncomfortable with my work, then I’m on the right track.
You can purchase products from North in Bloom at www.northinbloom.com, or follow Andrea and North in Bloom on Facebook and Instagram!
Adriana Nicolucci
Adriana Nicolucci is a Communications and Film Production graduate, fashion enthusiast, and patterned sock collector. She’s often spotted munching on the Eenie Meenie Grilled Zucchini Pizza at the Buddha. Danny Ocean is her spirit animal, except she’s planning a heist to steal your hearts (not a casino)
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