SoOh Spotlight: A Remark You Made

Today's SoOh Spotlight (formerly known as SoOh Feature) is on A Remark You Made, an etsy shop that is from my neck of the woods; Dayton, OH. And when I say woods I literally mean woods. A Remark You Made is run by Brenda and her husband who focus on selling eco-friendly and sustainable products that are created from reclaimed wood in the Southern Ohio area. The items that they sell are great for home and perfect for weddings. I've already recommended their shop to several of my friends and once you've checked out their shop, I'm sure you will too!

Tell me a little about your shop and what you sell:

We are a husband and wife team that specializes in earth-friendly jewelry, knitting and fiber arts supplies, eco-friendly tree branch buttons, and sustainable products for green weddings and the home. At A Remark You Made, our commitment is to the environment and our customer. Sustainability is very important, so we always use organic and natural materials and fabrics if possible. These are honest products. Each piece is unique.

Hand crafted from the wood of down trees, our sustainable products provide lovely green accessories and embellishments full of rustic charm without sacrificing style and elegance to help you live a greener, healthier, and happier lifestyle. We are constantly striving to create new items to enhance everyday living and entertaining by bringing natural organic fibers, wonderful textures, and eco-friendly style into every room. Many of our items focus on the natural beauty of an object, turning it into something special for everyday use in the home because your home should be a retreat and a reflection of your style.

What is your process when you create items for your shop?

We can find inspiration any where. It can be from a piece of wood found while hiking, a picture in a magazine or something someone is wearing. I am a right-brain person, and my mind is constantly conjuring up ideas.

We also look at objects on the market that are mass produced from plastic, etc, and figure our ways to make it from sustainable wood. Wood is an amazing resource. I will come up with ideas and make a list. If I still love it in a few days, I will make a sketch. Sometimes I make a prototype and give it to my husband to tweak and perfect. He has wonderful woodworking skills and knowledge. We work very well together.

How much of what you sell is influenced by the Southern Ohio area?

We only use wood from the Southern Ohio area that is either sustainably harvested or from down trees and branches. It is such a joy to reclaim wood and create something in hopes of giving it new life!

What part of Southern Ohio do you live in and how long have you been here?

We live in a suburb of Dayton. I was born and raised here. My husband was stationed at WPAFB and has been here for approximately 11 years.

What are your top 3 favorite places to eat in Southern Ohio?

Oh, my! It is difficult to choose. We really like to support and eat at local restaurants that are not a chain. The top of our list: Franco's Italian Restaurant, The Hickory, and Coco's Bistro.

What are your top 3 favorite go to events in Southern Ohio?

We enjoy going to Fraze Pavillion to see concerts, The Yellow Springs Street Fair is always amazing, and Dayton Dragons baseball games are a delight.

What are your top 3 favorite places to thrift in Southern Ohio?

The antique store located on the Montgomery County Fairgrounds [Treasure Barn] is my absolute favorite! The owners are fabulous people. We also enjoy the Springfield Antique Mall, and local garage sales are a must.

Anything else you would like to share about yourself, your shop or Southern Ohio?

Southern Ohio is a wonderful place to live. We have a little bit of everything. We have cultural events, Wright Patterson Air Force Base and the museum, and if you are a nature lover like us, there are plenty of parks to hike and canoe. We are also close enough to experience bigger city life in Columbus and Cincinnati. You really do get it all!