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Interview with Micah Lewis of Moth + Moon Tattoo and ETX Creatives

Interview with Micah Lewis of Moth + Moon Tattoo and ETX Creatives

In this interview, we speak with Micah Lewis of Moth + Moon Tattoo in Tyler, who is also an admin of ETX Creatives.

We talk about Micah’s love for art, her journey into tattooing and what led her to opening Moth + Moon with Sam Fontenot, what goes into a tattoo apprenticeship, and her advice to anyone who aspires to be a tattoo artist.

We also discuss her time with ETX creatives, how they support artists with events and showcases, and and what it’s like to be an artist in East Texas.

Finally, we also talk about how COVID has affected her personally, and as a business owner and artist. Micah also shares advice on how people can support local small businesses financially and non-financially.

The post Interview with Micah Lewis of Moth + Moon Tattoo and ETX Creatives appeared first on Tyler Near and Now.

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Interview with South Broadway Jewelers | Quality Craftsmanship, Repairs, and COVID

Interview with South Broadway Jewelers | Quality Craftsmanship, Repairs, and COVID

In today’s interview, we speak with Ginger Floyd and Andrew Long with South Broadway Jewelers.

We discuss what got the two of them into jewelry, Andrew’s thoughts on the importance of working with an experienced jeweler, how commonly he finds himself fixing other jewelers’ mistakes, and the difference between mass-produced rings and high-quality, handcrafted jewelry made by a master jeweler.

We also talk about how Ginger and Andrew do everything in-house to ensure that every one of their customers walk out with the best-quality repairs and jewelry, how COVID-19 has affected their business and how they suspect it will affect the jewelry industry compared to restaurants and other businesses.

South Broadway Jewelers is a new business located in Tyler. They are currently open for curbside pickup and delivery, custom handcrafting jobs and repairs, and they have a virtual showroom available on appointment for engagements, anniversaries and more.

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WANT TO HELP?

You can get in contact with Ginger and Andrew on their facebook page @SouthBroadwayJewelers

Make an appointment to see their virtual showroom, commission a custom piece, or purchase handcrafted jewelry from their online store at SouthBroadwayJewelers.com

The post Interview with South Broadway Jewelers | Quality Craftsmanship, Repairs, and COVID appeared first on Tyler Near and Now.

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Interview with Sarah Cooper | Making Face Masks for the Community

Interview with Sarah Cooper | Making Face Masks for the Community

Today, we speak with Sarah Cooper, a member of Church of the Pines. She and her mother are working tirelessly to make face masks for the Tyler and Smith County community.

The project was originally requested by an owner of several nursing homes in the area as mask shortages became a problem for medical facilities in mid-March. Sarah later enlisted the help of her church to supply these masks for the community.

The face masks are being distributed to nursing homes, EMTs, other medical professionals and community workers.

Sarah also offers advice to individuals who are making their own DIY masks at home, as well as those who would like to distribute hand-sewn masks to medical professionals.

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WANT TO HELP?

Sarah and her mom need help from community members who can sew. They have pre-made kits that are cut out with all of the materials included for 12 masks.

If you would like to help sew masks and would like one of these kits, contact Sarah at sarah.cooper.16.6@gmail.com

The post Interview with Sarah Cooper | Making Face Masks for the Community appeared first on Tyler Near and Now.

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Interview with Justin West of Ridiculously Good Brands and Threads

Interview with Justin West of Ridiculously Good Brands and Threads

In this interview, we speak with Justin West, who is the co-owner and designer at Ridiculously Good Brands and Threads.

We talk about what got Justin into screenprinting, t-shirt design, branding, and what inspired he and his partner Lauren to start the businses.

We also discuss how COVID and event closures affected their business and their mindset around the idea of having to close their doors alongside many other local small business owners.

The highlight of the interview is a project Justin and Lauren are working on in response to COVID called launched this week Friends and Threads, where they have launched an online marketplace supporting fellow local businesses by keeping revenue moving and businesses in front of their customers.

The Friends and Threads project, with help from the Tyler community, has already raised thousands of dollars to help support local businesses.

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WANT TO HELP?

You can become a part of the Friends and Threads project as a business owner, or help support other local businesses by visiting the link below.

https://ift.tt/3b1Ti64

If you want to get your business on a t-shirt, email hello@brandsandthreads.com

The post Interview with Justin West of Ridiculously Good Brands and Threads appeared first on Tyler Near and Now.

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Interview with Mary Foster | Tyler Culture, Community, and Support

Interview with Mary Foster | Tyler Culture, Community, and Support

In this video, we talk to Mary Foster, who is currently working with the Children’s Park of Tyler, and formerly worked as an events curator and historical guide for the Goodman Museum.

We talk about her involvement with the City of Tyler, how her passion for the community blossomed, and where she has taken that – including finding a love for writing, as well as running Murder Mystery events at the Goodman Museum, where she integrated fantastical concepts and real history into each event.

We also discuss how COVID-19 affected The Children’s Park, how she is handling that as their social media manager, the park’s mission and how they create a safe mental health support group for the community.

Lastly, we cover the importance of building an audience and why having an online presence for your business is vital during this period in time.

The post Interview with Mary Foster | Tyler Culture, Community, and Support appeared first on Tyler Near and Now.

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Interview: Shelby Franklin of Backbone Hair + Beauty | Hair Advice, COVID, and Salon Licensing

Interview: Shelby Franklin of Backbone Hair + Beauty | Hair Advice, COVID, and Salon Licensing

In this video, Elliot talks to Shelby Franklin, an independent hairstylist with Backbone Hair + Beauty, located in Downtown Tyler.

We discuss what it’s like being a hairstylist, what got Shelby started on this path, and how the Smith County stay-at-home order is affecting her job.

Later, we discuss what we, as a community, can do to support our hairstylists, and she shares some valuable advice about what not to do with your hair while you’re bored at home.

The post Interview: Shelby Franklin of Backbone Hair + Beauty | Hair Advice, COVID, and Salon Licensing appeared first on Tyler Near and Now.

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Smith County Judge Issues Stay-At-Home Order

Smith County Judge Issues Stay-At-Home Order

On Friday, March 27, 2020, Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran issued a two-week “Stay at Home” Order for all Smith County residents. Judge Moran stated twice earlier in the week that he had no intention of issuing such an order, however he said in a press conference on Friday that daily briefings on the previous day had convinced him of the necessity to act.

The “Stay at Home” Order requires all individuals anywhere in Smith County to stay at home, unless conducting certain essential activities, services, and work.

  A press release from Smith County identifies essential activities as:

 Engaging in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members, including, pets, such as obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home.

   Obtaining necessary services or supplies for themselves or household members or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as food, pet supply and any other household consumer products and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences.

   Engaging in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with social distancing requirements, such as walking, hiking, running or riding a bicycle.

   Performing work providing essential products and services at an essential business or locked business (see definition of a locked business in the order).

   Caring for a family member or pet in another household.

Smith County also released a graphic to help distinguish between essential and non-essential businesses. 

Judge Moran recognized the hardships that the order places on the community, both “economic and otherwise,” and admitted the burden of the decision. He added, “I am also acutely aware that governments must take care not to over-reach in times of crisis. Liberty is too precious a commodity, and governments should seek liberty, not restrain it. Nevertheless, the health of this community compels me to act today.”

As an attempt to lessen the economic impact of the “Stay at Home” Order on small business owners, a provision added locked businesses to the list of essential businesses. A locked business is a business with 10 or less employees that can maintain social distance of 6 feet and does not interact with the public.

The mandatory order went into effect at 11:59 P.M. on March 27, 2020 and remains in effect until 11:59 P.M. on April 10, 2020, although the order may be terminated early or extended further as situation dictates. Failure to comply with the order could be punishable by a fine of up to $1000, confinement in a county jail for up to 180 days, or both.

The full “Stay at Home” order may be viewed at Smith-County.com.

The post Smith County Judge Issues Stay-At-Home Order appeared first on Tyler Near and Now.

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