Sabine Halm, Dentelle Métier d’Art

France
“Dentelles Métier d’Art” is an artisanal company specializing in the creation of handmade lace. The lace that I produce at the workshop (located in the heart of a charming French village) oscillates between classic patterns and contemporary designs. Whether for wedding dresses, fashion accessories, interior decoration pieces or custom creations. Each piece is handmade with particular attention to detail.

dentellemetierdart.fr

The beginning

What led you to venture into freelancing initially?
I was influenced by a family heritage linked to lace and thread in general. My great-great grandmother was a lacemaker (whose name was also Sabine, like me). And some of my grandfathers were spinners or weavers. I was also motivated by the desire to preserve and promote the traditional craft of handmade lacemaking. In a world increasingly dominated by industrial production, I see the importance of keeping alive the art of handmade lace, a precious craft. As an artistic craftsman, I am attracted by the idea of creating unique pieces. Hand lace provides an unparalleled opportunity to create unique patterns and designs, which inspired me to start my own business to be able to express my creativity in an authentic way.

How long have you been a freelancer?
Since 2016 / 8 years

Where you apprehensive or confident taking the step into freelancing?
For me, I felt both trepidation and confidence at the idea of taking the step to become independent. On one hand, I was worried about the financial risks associated with starting my business, and managing entrepreneurial responsibilities. There was this fear of failure, of not living up to expectations and of not being able to maintain my know-how as a stable source of income.

On the other hand, I approached this step with some confidence. I had a deep faith in the value of my artistic craft, in my skills as a craftswoman, and in my ability to overcome the obstacles that would come my way. I was convinced that my determination, my creativity and my commitment to my lace-making art would allow me to succeed despite the challenges.

This emotional duality pushed me to make thoughtful decisions and prepare myself as much as possible for the challenges ahead. My confidence in my know-how and my ability to succeed eventually outweighed my initial concerns, giving me the courage to take the plunge and embark on this exciting adventure.

Perks & Struggles

What are the perks of being the supreme ruler of your own kingdom?
As the ruler of my own little universe, I enjoy many benefits that make this position both rewarding and challenging.

First of all, I can orient my art studio according to my vision and my values.

Another advantage is the freedom to create and innovate without constraints. I am free to explore new ideas, and experiment with different approaches. As an art craftsman, I can express my creativity through my creations, producing unique and authentic pieces that bear my personal mark.

In addition, as the manager of my craft business, I am able to maintain a direct relationship with my customers. This allows me to understand their preferences, and offer them personalized and attentive service.

Another benefit of running my own business is the satisfaction of seeing my efforts pay off. Every sale, every custom order, and every positive feedback from my customers reminds me that my work has a real and meaningful impact.

As a small craft business, I can also afford to be flexible and agile in my operations. I can quickly adapt my production according to demand and explore new creative areas.

Being the owner of my own small arts and crafts business gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment. Every day, I am grateful to be able to pursue my craft and share my creations, while helping to preserve the traditional art of lacemaking.

It also offers a multitude of valuable benefits, from creative freedom to the personal satisfaction of seeing my work appreciated and valued by my customers.

And on the flip side, what are the struggles you face?
In reality, as a small art studio, and wishing to remain so, I do not consider that I have any real difficulties that I must face. This modest size is an advantage. By staying small, I can maintain closeness to my work and a high level of personal engagement.

By staying small I can also maintain complete control over my creations. Each piece I create is the result of my own craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Overall, being small is an asset to me. This way, I can continue to cultivate my craft, for art’s sake, and offer my clients unique and authentic creations, without having to face the challenges often associated with large businesses.

Work-life

How is your work-life balance?
My work-life balance? Well, to be honest, my art studio has totally taken over my life. It has become more than an art profession, it has become my whole life. I eat workshop, I get up workshop, I breathe workshop… It has become an obsession, but in a positive way.

I firmly believe that to succeed in making a living from your art profession, you must give your all to it. It’s like entering religion, you have to be totally committed and dedicated. Every moment of my day is dedicated to my art, because I know that is what allows me to make a living and thrive from it.

So yes, my work-life balance is a little unbalanced, but it’s a choice I made knowingly.

What are the sacred tools you couldn’t do without in your daily freelancing?
These are my sacred tools:
Lacemaking tools made with love by my husband: they were created especially for me by my husband. As a lacemaker, he understood the importance of having tools adapted to my needs, and he put his talent and love into making these unique pieces. Every tool made by him is imbued with care and attention. these tools have become an extension of my lacemaking practice. When I use these tools, I feel His presence and support. Each piece bears the mark of his dedication and love, which makes them even more precious to me. As a lacemaker, I am grateful to have a partner who understands and supports my craft. The tools he makes for me are not just practical objects, they are symbols of our connection and collaboration in the pursuit of my art.

There is also a crooked needle: among my sacred tools is a humble needle, slightly twisted by time and use. This item seems insignificant, but to me it is precious. This needle has been with me since the beginning of my career as a lacemaker, and I have kept it with me throughout my journey. This crooked needle has a story. She witnessed my first clumsy steps in the delicate art of lacemaking, and she shared my moments of triumph and discouragement. Despite its imperfect shape, this needle has a special place in my heart. It has become an extension of my hand, an extension of my creativity. I always keep it on hand, ready to use whenever I need it. Even if I have other needles of the same size, when I can no longer find the one that is crooked, it is the one that I want and look for, without really knowing why.

Clients

What is the craziest thing a client ask you to do? 

Once a client asked me something quite unusual. She wanted me to create a woodcock for her husband, who is an avid hunter. This was a pretty crazy request, as creating a woodcock was something I had never considered before. However, I accepted the challenge. I immersed myself in creating this unique piece, using all my skills to capture the delicate details of this iconic bird.

What’s the weirdest request a client has ever made?
The strangest request I’ve received so far is for my sculptures. My sculptures are not intended for sale, because they often represent unique pieces or personal projects to which I am very attached. However, some customers sometimes insist on purchasing them. What makes this particularly strange is that they keep coming back to me, despite my explanations about the uniqueness and personal nature of my creations. Of course, I’m grateful that my sculptures might generate interest, but for now, I prefer to keep them for myself, giving them away just to be looked at. This creates a unique experience for visitors to my store, giving them a journey or a moment of escape and relaxation when viewing them. It is an important part of my creative process and allows me to maintain a personal connection with each work I create.

Retrospective

What are important lessons you’ve collected along the way as a freelancer?
The most important lessons I’ve learned as a freelancer center around determination. Determination is the driving force behind every success I’ve had as a freelancer. She is the one who allowed me to overcome initial obstacles, to persevere in the face of challenges and to remain resilient in difficult times. As a freelancer, every day is an adventure. There are ups and downs, moments of triumph and moments of doubt. But it was my determination that allowed me to stay focused on my goals, keep moving forward despite setbacks, and never give up. Determination also taught me the importance of perseverance. Sometimes projects don’t go as planned, and dry spells can seem endless. But it’s in these moments that my resolve is tested, and it’s when I find the strength to keep moving forward. I know that my determination is my most valuable asset. It is she who allows me to transform my wishes into reality.

Future

Where do you want to be in 5 years?
In 5 years, I would like to be at a point where my art studio has flourished and achieved new successes. I also wish to have expanded my product line and developed new styles and techniques in my art crafts. This would allow me to explore new creative avenues and offer my clients an even greater variety of choices and options.

On a personal level, I hope to always be with those I love. I aspire to be at a level of personal fulfillment where I can continue to practice my craft as an artistic craftsman with creativity and satisfaction, while fully enjoying everything that life has to offer me.

Sharing is caring

Any pearls of wisdom you would like to share to anyone who is thinking of becoming a freelancer?

What I would like to share with everyone who is considering launching into entrepreneurship is, above all, the importance of believing in yourself and your project. Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with uncertainties and challenges, but it is also a rewarding adventure that can turn your dreams into reality.

It is essential to follow your path and choose an area that really affects us. As the inspiring phrase says so well: “Just because we are born without wings does not mean we should stop them from growing.” When you work on a project of your choosing, it becomes a source of motivation and inspiration that will help you overcome obstacles encountered along the way.

Additionally, it is important to be willing to work hard and make sacrifices to achieve your goals. Entrepreneurship often requires overtime, hard work, and unwavering determination, but the rewards are worth it.

Don’t be afraid to fail, because every failure is a learning opportunity that brings you one step closer to success. Be open to feedback and advice, and don’t hesitate to surround yourself with people who support and encourage you in your journey.

Remember that success doesn’t come overnight. It is a gradual process that requires patience, perseverance and resilience. Stay focused, stay positive, and keep working hard, and you will eventually achieve your goals.

Any pearls of wisdom you would like to share to anyone who is thinking of becoming a freelancer?

In summary, if I could share one final thought it would be that “small fish will become big”. Every success begins with humble beginnings, and every successful entrepreneur started somewhere. With determination, perseverance and a clear vision of goals, it is possible to achieve great things, regardless of the challenges encountered along the way. So, may this quote inspire us all to continue to grow and evolve in our entrepreneurial journey.