In the latest installment of our Columbus Creatives: A Day in the Life series, we talk with Jackie Ayres, the creative mind behind Dyetology.
Hi, I am Jackie Ayres the designer and founder of Dyetology. Dyetology is a line of unique, hand-dyed accessories and apparel using natural fibers. I live in Westerville with my husband, 12-year-old son, and 2 Boxers. We landed in Columbus in the late 1990’s when my husband got a job with the Columbus Police Department. I feel blessed to be living in such a wonderful city! It has a vibrant art scene, embraces and supports entrepreneurs, has many great colleges, amazing job opportunities. I could go on and on. I love being part of the community and giving back. In March of 2017, I started a mission program with our socks when I found out that socks are the most needed clothing item in homeless shelters. I knew I could help since socks were already a part of the Dyetology line. We do a buy one, give one program with our socks. Last year we were able to donate over 500 pairs to Faith Mission and their sister organization, Choices. I hope to double that number this year. This has been one of the most rewarding things I have been able to to do with my business. (see pic of socks, see pic of me at Faith Mission dropping off, picture of my husband and son helping package up the socks, and a picture of myself and McKenzie Hopkins, the Manager of Volunteer Services at Faith Mission.
Morning
After getting my son off to camp (in the summer ) or to the bus stop during the school year, I love to grab a cup of coffee at Java Central in Uptown Westerville. They have the best espresso and coffee around. Try a Cortado which is shots of their rich, carmel-ly espresso with steamed half and half….you won’t regret it. In addition to the coffee, I start my day by reading a page out of a daily devotional. I find this ritual keeps me grounded and reminded of what is really important, especially when things are super busy and I am juggling a lot.
Afternoon
Dye time. After catching up in the morning on emails, blog posts, anything on the “business” side of things I go downstairs to dye. My dye studio is downstairs in our basement so I don’t have far to go! I dye most days of the week to keep up with orders and stock for the 15- 20 art shows/festivals I do a year. Each piece is individually dyed and unique in its own way- no two are identical!
Since I work from home and it can be really easy to not get much activity in, I take the dogs out at lunch for “our” daily walk to get some movement in our day!
Evening
I’m trying to get better balancing work and my family time which means not working into the night. It’s hard when you are a business owner and work from home- it can be challenging to have boundaries between work/home life. I try to get in a work out most days of the week in the evening. I find my evening workout is a good stopping point for work and the start of family/personal time. We have everything thing we need to work out at home with a gym set up in the basement and the garage. I love to workout in the garage and will do so most of the year until the heater in the garage just can’t keep up with the Ohio cold.
My husband and I don’t get out on a lot of dates, but when Pearl Jam is on tour, we follow them and do big dates! (see pic of us in front of Pearl Jam sign at Wrigley) We are getting ready to go see them in August for 2 shows at Wrigley Field and we are taking our son this time to see Pearl Jam for his first time. Fun fact, my husband and I just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this week and we saw Pearl Jam for the first time as a couple back in 1992 and that’s something we have continued to do!
