AN INTERVIEW WITH HAILEY AT GENTLE AND KIND

Aug 4

Written By QDL

Meet Hailey from “Gentle and Kind.” Since starting Queer Denver Living, Hailey has been a connector and sending us other queer creatives in the community. Obsessed with her jewelry and all around passion for community and creatives.

QDL: Tell us about your business "Gentle and Kind" and how you got started!

Hailey: So I got started with Gentle & Kind as a project to have a creative outlet and fell in love with doing it. I wanted something I had outside of my daytime job to bring me peace and also be able to create sustainable products at an affordable cost because accessibility has always been incredibly import to me. I try to not price over $25 because I never want the price to be the factor on why someone can’t buy small and sustainable. A lot of product I make is also in neutral tones and simple minimalist styles to get more wear out of the product so we aren’t overly consuming and they are an accent to anyones wardrobe.

How did you decide on the name?

It’s actually a song lyric that states it’s takes courage to be Gentle & Kind and it has always stuck with me. I grew up underprivileged and worked really hard to make sure life never made me bitter and that I wanted to preserve the gentle and kind parts of me as a person.

How is the creative community here in Denver - I saw that you have been a part of a lot of markets lately?

The creative community here is more than I could’ve ever asked for. It’s so welcoming and very much of the mindset that we can all collectively succeed and we should help each other achieve that. I’m happy to say I have found family in the community here.

How long have you called Denver home?

I have now been here for 2 years and denver continues to be my favorite place I’ve ever lived.

I can tell from your instagram that is is important for you to support other queer creatives! Who are some of your favorites here in Denver?

Honeypot Stitchery @honeypot.stitchery

Toil & Trbl @toilandtrbl

Lady Finelines @ladyfinelines

Aretes de Arte @aretes_dearte

Did you get to celebrate pride - how was it for you this year?

This year I got to celebrate it but doing a ton of pride centered markets. It was lovely to see how much people are willing to show up and buy from queer creatives and make so many new connections to other queer creatives. Through this I’ve been able to make friends and start a queer creatives discord and also host picnics for the creatives to meet each other!

How do we find you and purchase your earrings!?

At the moment you can follow me on Instagram @gentle_kind I do some story sales there and you can keep up with what markets I’ll be at so you can come say hi in person!