Meet Hannabelle Evermore | Funeral Director, Embalmer, & Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannabelle Evermore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannabelle, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my brand, Ms. Evermore’s Mortuary Creations, began as a passion project. When I was a kid my father would bring me to a lot of music festivals and concerts. Sometimes at these concerts and events, there would be a booth by the name of “Franken Pets” and pretty much what they did was separate the heads from the bodies of stuffed animals and let the kids pick one of each. After the child would pick their parts, the staff at the booth would teach the children how to sew. Now I feel in love with the idea. Anytime I would see their booth, I would demand my father take me there. I even wanted to do a “Franken Pets” themed birthday party. But eventually I forgot about the ambition.

Fast forward about 10 years and I am in Mortuary School, online only due to the COVID-19 epidemic, and my embalming teacher is recommending I practice my suturing on stuffed animals to practice for embalming. This suggestion brought me back to those tents, the kind adults teaching me how to sew, and the inspiration I had to make these funky creatures.

Present day, I work as a full time Funeral Director and Embalmer and a part time small business owner. I have just attended and profited my first market, Honey Bee Hair Salon’s Hive Harvest Festival. I hope to vend at many more local markets to come!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The art I create is a testament to my love for both my career and being a creative as a whole. The stuffed animal art I create sets itself apart from others by its personality. People who purchase my pieces are often drawn to how the stuffie looks like, like “they look so kind!” or “they look so silly!” type vibe. I am most excited about creating art that speaks to people. There is nothing more heart warming than watching anyone, younger or older, make a connection with my art. I got to where I am today through support of my friends and mentors, I cannot thank them enough. It was not easy, but the oncoming challenges where just that. Challenges. I took them head on and they taught me to be a better business owner today.

One lesson I have learned is to keep on truckin’. As silly as that may seem, it is my main take away. I have had to push myself to continue a project even if it doesn’t seem like it will turn out. And some of the times they don’t. That’s okay though. Completing is the goal. If what I complete doesn’t meet my standards, I still always learn something new.

What I want the world to know about me, my brand, or my brands story is that expression through art does not have to be on paper, canvas, or screen. Art comes in many shapes and forms and I feel as if many people hear “art” and think painting, but it always can be so much more. Find your medium and create something you love. You will not regret it

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was in the area and I wanted to show them a good time for a week, I think I would create a hybrid vay-and-staycation. I would make them dinner and dessert at least one night. I love to show my admiration for a person by cooking, baking, and drink making. I am known for my margaritas and cookies. I would plan a day where we run around. We would go to thrift and antique stores. The ones near me would be Bascomb Mission Thrift Store and The Market (Woodstock Location). Bascomb always has amazing deals and everything in there has personality. The Market is an antique mall with never-ending booths from antique collectors to artists a like. I would want to take them to down town Woodstock as well. It’s your run of the mill “Historic [insert town here]”, but it holds a place in my heart. I would take them Tiny Bubbles Tea Bar, it’s one of the only ones in the Woodstock area. Salt is really good as well, high end bar food with premium drinks. If cocktails aren’t the move, we could always visit The Little Sober Bar. They have fun mocktails and canned non alcoholic drink alternatives including some D8 options! Pie bar would be next on the list, I would want to go there for dessert. Drop dead delicious pies. Their key lime pie never leaves my mind.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are a few individuals I would like to thank for helping me through school, work, and starting up my small business.

Bunny Lewis (they/them) – Bunny have helped me find my groove as it comes to my brand and what I want. I can always rely on them to give me their HONEST opinion. And I say HONEST like that because, yes, it is a very big deal. I know that any advice they give me comes from them comes from their heart and that means the world to me.

Haley Johnson (she/her) – Haley has helped me come into a more confident version of myself. I struggle with a few mental disorders including autism and bipolar disorder, Haley has helped me become more comfortable with my mental issues. She has taught me to be kind to myself even when it doesn’t feel right to.

David Pesin (he/him) – David has helped me be realistic with my goals both in and out of my small business. He has helped me be reasonable with what I want verses what I need. Having a friend that helps keep me grounded in reality is a true blessing in my life.

Nicole Liveoak (she/her) – Nicole helped me with my business by being an inspiration. Nicole has a successful Macrame business called “Woven Oak Design” and watching her journey from when we met until now has been so amazing. She has honestly been a guiding light during this venture.

Bonnie Ansley (she/her) – Bonnie is my favorite mentor I have had the pleasure of working under during my time as a Funeral Director Apprentice. She not only helped me find comfort in existing as a plus size woman, but helped me find my footing in my career as a funeral director. I know I can always count on her to be there and I aspire to be like her as a grow older.

Instagram: @ms.evermores.creations