M. Guardens on James Celebrates One Year In Business

Written by Lily Byrne, X101 News:

On James Street, Homer native Julia Maslin has been selling plants and handmade plant hangers for one year, as of Saturday. Her shop, M. Guardens on James, celebrated the milestone with discounts, snacks, giveaways and raffles. Many of her regulars stopped in to celebrate, with a few new customers stopping by.

“I’ve learned if you treat people really well, they’ll probably come back,” Maslin said. “When you’re good to people, they’ll be good to you.”

Maslin started doing macrame, the art of creating art from knotting or weaving rope, six years ago. She sold her handmade plant hangers and wall decor at the Truxton Outpost, Cinch Art Space, Willow Floral Studio and local events before opening her store.

Her shop is filled to the brim with her macrame, plants, planters and accessories and tools for plant-lovers. This year, she’s learned different ways to obtain new customers.

“I think we have a lot more inventory now, and we’re offering a lot more things, like a lot more workshops, events that are different, and we’re collaborating with a lot with other businesses,” Maslin said. “That’s been a big change from a year ago to today.”

One of her most successful new events is Plant Bingo, which she has held at Bru64, Homer Hops, and the Homer Elks Club. On Sept. 25, you can play Plant Bingo at Bru64.

“It definitely brings more people in, because I’m kind of off the beaten path here, so unless you’re walking by or have heard about it, people are still learning about us,” Maslin said. “Doing these events and branching out and going to new places gets people in here. It pulls it all Together.”

She has also been hosting more and more workshops. From 6-8 p.m. Oct. 1, you can stop the shop and create large planters filled with succulents, moss and skeleton pieces. On Sept. 28, Oct. 12 and Oct. 17, you can create centerpieces by filling pumpkins with succulents.

She also has workshops where she teaches macrame, and does private events and birthday parties for kids.

“I’d like to expand a little bit in the future if I could,” she said. “I love this location, but I’m busting at the seams a little bit. I’d like a bigger space for events, even though this one is cozy.”