Reduce, reuse and recycle and mom of three – Heidi is the super mom and business babe behind Hekkal & Hyde. Making beautiful handbags, snack bags and napkins out of eco-friendly materials. Check her out below!
Heidi – HEKKAL & HYDE
WHAT DO YOU MAKE/SELL? TELL US ABOUT YO’ SELF
I design and make eco-friendly handbags made from discarded home décor
materials. I also make hand-dyed and hand-printed reusable snack bags and
reusable napkins. Everything I make is based on consuming less and reusing
more.
I have a degree in Art and Sociology from U of C (specializing in Criminology,
Deviance and Social Control…wha? Yeah, really). I also have a certificate in
Event Management from MRU. I am a mom of three boys. I worked in TV and
Event Planning before deciding to stay home after my second son and start
Hekkal & Hyde. I’m a born and raised Calgarian, and I adore my city.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR BUSINESS?
I started Hekkal & Hyde in 2011.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
My husband and I have been self-employed for quite some time. My husband is
a broadcast sports camera operator, and I run the business from home. After the
birth of our second son in 2010, I knew I wouldn’t be able to go back to working
in TV and events because it’s generally hard to get a babysitter for the hours I
was working. I missed creative work, so I started designing and sewing. The
name Hekkal & Hyde evolved from the name of our existing company (Hekkal
Inc.), a play on my initials and my husband’s name, and Hyde – that’s what my
friends call me
Five years, three sewing machines, a studio renovation and a third son later,
here I am!
WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOUR WORK?
I love decorative arts, and I have always admired the work of Gustav Klimt, who
inspires much of my work. I often model a bag after a celebrity style. In the fall I
sold my “Cyndi Lauper” bag! That was a favourite.
WHAT DO YOU DREAM FOR YOUR BUSINESS IN THE FUTURE?
I look forward to one day having a gallery space specific to Calgary artists,
designers and artisans. This city has so much talent, and we all know the
benefits of supporting local.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM AND WHY?
I adore Instagram. I am a visual person, and it’s a fantastic showcase for artists
and makers. I find it to be a lot more positive than other platforms, where people
can get a little nasty with each other.
HOW DO YOU PICK YOURSELF UP WHEN THINGS GO WRONG?
I have three boys and my husband works out of town a lot, things are always
going wrong, haha! But seriously, I try to maintain perspective – I am so lucky to
be able to do what I love, surrounded by the people I love. Whatever goes wrong,
it’s nothing compared to what some people endure. And coffee helps.
WHAT’S ONE THING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT YOU? GIVE US AN INTERESTING FACT!
I spent Grade 12 as a student and crew member on the Maiden Voyage of the
SV Concordia, circumnavigating South America on a tall ship (yes, the SV
Concordia that sunk off the coast of Brazil in 2010!).
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPER POWER WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Definitely the ability to manipulate time. I would have a time lottery, so that
people could have more of those amazing moments with their favourite people. I
could make way more bags too.
WHAT ARE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES?
Facebook: hekkalandhyde
Instagram: @hekkalandhyde
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOUR STUFF?
My next market is The Vixens of Vintage Spring Fling April 22 & 23!