Queruet(opens in new tab) Owner Racquel Dwomoh offers unique handcrafted Afro-chic items ranging from homewares to paintings to accessories. The mixed-media apparel line is a personal and heirloom love gift for anyone interested in creative, vibrant design that brings the work of an artist into their home.
Mashable caught up with Racquel to discuss running a business while being a busy mother of three, creativity, and how to use Epson’s EcoTank ET-4850.(opens in new tab) A printer can help you balance the demands of a growing family and business. The multi-layered artist, who values quality above all else, gives her stamp of approval to no cartridge waste and family-friendly tech tools.
Credit: Racquel Dwomoh
Self-taught solopreneur and artist
Inspired by her upbringing in Ghana, Racquel’s handcrafted pieces combine materials ranging from fabrics, shells and beads to acrylic paint. Her love of textures has to do with sewing and stitching to express her own edge, and her sculptural art skills mirror her color-filled, unique designs. The artist draws inspiration from her mother’s DIY attitude to make each item unique and special for her clients.
Racquel taught himself how to crochet and started QUÈLLYRUE as a small shop on Etsy with the encouragement of friends and family. From there, she partnered with her Curly Girl Collective and began promoting the brand at CURLFEST®. Her collections may have been purchased at the Brooklyn Museum, MoCADA, and Harlem’s Schomberg Center for the Study of Black Culture. These opportunities, she explained, are perfect for artists like her to gain more exposure, build even stronger relationships with clients, and market her products.
Credit: Racquel Dwomoh
hobby into business
Racquel has been a dedicated business woman for over a decade, driven by her passion and the love that radiates from it. Through her handmade creations, she enjoys the opportunity to share her craft with those around her, inspiring them to make a living by doing what they love.QUÈLLYRUE, Racquel It also serves as an empowering example for children of
“Spending time with my kids is important to me,” said Raquel. “And they see me do things and create things and be productive, while at the same time teaching me how to use their imaginations and creative ambitions. I do a lot of projects and even use the machine for school projects.”
As a mother of three children, all under the age of six, scheduling and planning is a key factor in running a successful business. Racquel uses her early hours to work and she plans her day before the kids wake up.
Credit: Racquel Dwomoh
easily run the business from the comfort of her home
Creating a green workspace is essential for Racquel. Epson EcoTank’s refillable ink in his bottles delivers a very high yield, and by not using plastic his cartridges, Racquel has eliminated the need for frequent ink changes. After all, what a creator doesn’t want to do when he hits the flow is stop to replace his messy ink cartridges.
“The printer’s overall quality and speed are excellent,” she says. “The vibrant colors of the prints and inks allow me to print a variety of documents I need, from colorful promotional flyers showcasing my artwork to business documents and prints needed for my child’s school project.” It allows me to check the quality of my work before offering high grade prints to my customers.Many of my mixed media canvas paintings include a series of textures and It’s also important because of the dimensions.”
Credit: Racquel Dwomoh
Racquel produces prints in the form of stationery, postcards, bookmarks and stickers. The variety of paper options offered by Epson helps her prove the quality of her work and tinker with designs before giving her stamp of approval.
The EcoTank is also quiet, making it an essential part of Racquel’s schedule. Because I can print in the early morning during quiet working hours without waking my family. Plus, the EcoTank’s compact size leaves more space on your desk to lay out your designs to compare quality and colors.
Setting boundaries is the name of the game
For young mothers looking to start a business from home, Racquel advises setting schedules and boundaries to give time and space to hustle and bustle and nurture your children’s creativity. But most importantly, don’t be afraid to change your priorities if necessary. Wherever you are on your entrepreneurial journey, Racquel offers these words of wisdom:
Be patient, take it easy, stay positive and enjoy your journey.
check the query(opens in new tab) To add vibrant artwork to your walls, equip yourself with the right technical tools so you don’t run out of ink while planning your own business idea.
