Crafting couple: Husband-and-wife team get creative with 205 By Design

Mark and Lindsey Whitlock were set up on a blind date by a mutual friend who thought they would be a good match. They had common interests as creatives, as Lindsey made pottery and Mark enjoyed woodworking.

“We happened to hit it off,” Lindsey said. “He proposed after four months [of dating], and we got married within eight months."

Now, the husband and wife, who live in Indian Springs, have paired their creative spirits together and turned their dreams into a reality, launching their joint venture in 2018. 205 By Design enables them to pair their creations into a combined effort.

Mark said they wanted to come up with a name for the business that everyone could relate to. He wanted it to encompass not just the things they create, but also other local artists in the area, as the couple has hopes to open a retail store in the future.

Lindsey has had her pottery business, Lindsey Kelly Pottery, since 2015 and sells her items wholesale and in her Etsy store. Lindsey says she spends about 75 percent of her time doing pottery and the other 25 percent making things for 205 by Design.

“I mainly do pottery and consider 205 By Design more of a hobby, as a different creative outlet,” Lindsey said.

Their current projects include Mark’s woodworking and Lindsey’s paintings, etched glasses, custom pillows, tea towels, ornaments, candles and whatever else their hearts desire.

Mark works full time as a store manager at Mark’s Outdoors, the business his father started in 1980. After he passed away seven years ago, Mark and his mom have kept it going. He said his job keeps him busy, especially going into the holiday season, but he enjoys his woodworking hobby when he does have free time.

“I did my first show recently in Montevallo, and it was the first time I had ever sold any of my pieces except through 205 By Design or to friends,” he said.

Mark started out doing pallet wood work and made a few pieces for himself. He has also made coffee tables, bar tops, river tables and more.

His current project is the largest he’s ever had, as he was recently asked to make 150 charcuterie boards for wedding favors. On his days off, Mark spends several hours working on them, making between 20 and 30 at a time.

“My favorite things to make are the cutting boards and charcuterie boards,” he said.

To see more of their creations, visit etsy.com/shop/205bydesign or etsy.com/shop/lindseykellypottery.