Meet the Maker

TIMBER+VINE DESIGN CO BY Meghan Palaia

By Lauren Avellino Turton

Oil on canvas, cartoon illustration, beading, weaving, and photography. There are so many different styles of artwork to explore. For artist Meghan Palaia, her favorite mode of choice is wood and string.

In 2010, Meghan and her now husband, Tony, were living in Ocean City, MD, when a friend of theirs in the public relations industry came for a visit. Their friend was looking to hire a writer to work in Rincon, Puerto Rico. Palaia has always had a passion for writing; she majored in English and Communications at Salisbury University. She earned a graduate degree in English there as well, with a concentration in composition and rhetoric. Palaia went on to write professionally, and has several regular small businesses as her clients. “Back in 2010, I was offered the job {in Rincon}. Tony and I talked about it. We decided it was time to make a move, and thought it would be a fun adventure for six months. We stayed for five years,” she laughed. “Rincon was perfect for my husband because he’s a surfer, it’s a surf town, and so he started his business there shaping surfboards and repairing dings. It became very successful, so that’s why we stayed.” While her husband enjoyed his newfound entrepreneurial success, Palaia worked from home as a full-time professional copywriter and web developer. She was also looking for something creative and fun to do. That’s when her love of string art began. Using examples from Pinterest, she started teaching herself how to make her own pieces. “I started making string art of the outlines of states, with a heart over

Find Timber+Vine Design Co. online:

facebook.com/timberandvinedesigns/ instagram.com/timberandvinedesigns/ pinterest.com/timberandvinedesigns/

particular cities,” she recalled. “Then I participated in the Art Walk events which took place every Thursday.” During their time working in Puerto Rico, they met friends from Ocean City, NJ, and started visiting the island during the summer months. “It’s the offseason in Puerto Rico in the summer. It’s really rainy and not that nice,” said Palaia. In 2015, the Palaias decided it was time to pack up and move back East, making a home in OCNJ. “When we moved to Ocean City, I met the owners of Peace of Wood, and asked to display my artwork at their store,” she said. “It was then I decided to branch out and try different things, making designs for signs, boho dreamcatchers, and DIY string art kits. I noticed there were tons of tutorials online on how to create string art, and realized a lot of people were interested in making the pieces themselves. That’s what pushed me to start the DIY kits.” The kits are complete with everything needed to create a piece of string art, and customers can choose either a six by six or six by nine size, and there are six different designs of each size to choose from. The six by six designs include, Heart, Wave, Sun, Starfish, Chevron, and Bird. The six by nine feature Seahorse, Cactus, Peace Sign, Double Hearts, Succulent, and Double Waves. “There are two colors of crochet string. I predraw the design, and the natural pine wood comes pre-drilled, nails and detailed instructions included. Plus, a photo of the finished product for reference.” she explained. “The DIY kits

are a very popular and a fun activity for families that are here on vacation for the week, especially on rainy days. It’s a great, hands-on craft for everyone.” The box comes with a “Timber+Vine Designs” label, and is ready to be gifted, or to create a personal craft. “These DIY string art signs make a great addition to a guest room, child’s bedroom or nursery, and are also the perfect complement to a gallery wall,” she said. At first, Palaia called the business “Handmade by Meghan,” but said she was looking for a name less whimsical and silly. “I chose ‘Timber + Vine Designs’ because I liked the slight rhyme. That’s the writer in me,” she laughed. “And also because it represents the fact that I work with wood and string.” In addition to changing the company name as the business became more successful, Palaia upgraded her equipment. “I used to pre-drill every piece of wood by hand, and that was really difficult and hurt my hands,” she recalled. “It was time to buy a drill press which has been very helpful.” The artist features her work on many websites, in stores, and at special events. “My online sales have seen a huge uptick over the past few months due to the pandemic,” she explained. “I have a good deal of local sales too, at the Ocean City Block Parties and Farmer’s Market in the summer, but I’m not sure what that will look like this year due to COVID-19.” She ensured customers that all items come from a household practicing safety and social distancing.

“Know that we are taking as much care and responsibility as possible in dealing with the risks of COVID-19 and creating these handmade items for our customers. Our family truly appreciates your business during this difficult and uncertain time.” Palaia’s work is also available at popular storefronts, including Stainton’s located at 810 Asbury Avenue, as well as Peace of Wood at 1112 Asbury Avenue and Bowfish Kids at 956 Asbury. While mostly local, Palaia had the opportunity to travel a bit. “I got to participate at the Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar. It was my first time branching out.” She has also branched out with new, unique items. This past Christmas, she tried her hand at hand-painted watercolor greeting cards and ornaments. “I like the ornaments because they offer people a lower price point.” When not busy crafting and writing, Palaia enjoys reading and hiking with her husband and 9-year-old pup, Brifa. “I love doing outdoor activities and going to the beach, and playing drop-in soccer in Ocean City." She was a collegiate soccer player and coach. She and her husband also recently bought their first home in Egg Harbor Township, and the duo are busy setting up and sprucing up, including her home art studio.