Grateful for this warmer weather and another opportunity to share about another talented maker that we work with here at Half Mile Handmade - Maria Lattanzio of Things Maria Makes based out of Ney Jersey! I could be wrong, but I think this is the first maker that we have featured on our blog from New Jersey :) She is a self taught graphic designer with a passion for straight up creating… anything and everything under the sun. She has a full-time job in brand marketing, but has had a “side hustle” going at all times since 2015.
Initially, she started the hustle making and offering digital downloads. A few years after she was invited to vend at her first in-person event and made some tangible items for the first time. She explains, “each new product I created took me out of my element, challenged me, and made me even more eager to try different things.” She’s truly done it all from fiber art, to candles, to stickers, to greeting cards, to soaps, and beyond. Since those days she has honed in on what her favorite things to create are, and she says she’s sticking to that! Maria has been through a few iterations of her business bus is now settled on Things Maria Makes stating that she “recently came to the conclusion that I'm not a brand - I am ME!”
She loves starting projects with no clear end product in mind. She just starts sketching and seeing how the drawing evolves and where it takes her. When she reaches the finish line, she’s often able to come up with a catchy phrase to pair with her drawing and then voilà a new card and/or sticker design is born! The first sticker she ever made is her best selling one, and you can purchase one for yourself here too!
Maria is currently creating part-time, as she says, “I have a 9 to 5 and then a 5 to 9 - I'm sure so many other creatives can relate as well.” When she isn’t hustling she loves doing anything outdoorsy, reading, watching movies, and trying new restaurants. You can shop some of her designs on our website, in store, or just check out her complete line of products by clicking the button below.
