Today we’d like to introduce you to Meghan Perry.
Meghan, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I grew up in a house with a magically creative Mom, who, along with raising three children, made a living hand sewing/making items & selling them at all the local craft markets. She instilled in me the desire to create & taught me to truly appreciate the value of the handmade community. I woke up one day a number of years back & realized that I was subconsciously following in her footsteps & was not only abundantly proud of that fact but grateful that she showed me such an amazingly colorful childhood & taught me to never lose the sense of magic that the world around us possesses, if we just keep our eyes open to it.
I taught myself to knit as a way to pass time while I was in college waiting for my paintings to dry or my film to develop. It quickly became a driving force in my life & seemed to take over as my primary form of creating. As a newlywed on a small budget, I decided to sell my knitted wares to save up money for a new camera & was surprised when I not only raised enough for the camera but also an additional lens in just a couple of months. The rest is history. My love for the handmade community & my strong desire to contribute to the community has allowed me to have a dream job where I get to create all day. My shop has evolved over the years & I continually strive to shape & grow it.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I have always been drawn to texture & pattern. So, it isn’t a surprise that knitting has become a primary form of creating for me. The different textures of yarn & the way repetitive acts of varying stitches create gorgeous, simplistic patterns really speaks to me. Combine that love with my love for functional pieces that can be worn & my inspiration abounds. I want my knitted goods to be worn & loved & passed down. It’s always an absolute honor to get to make something with my hands that a person chooses to keep for themselves or give as a gift to a friend or loved one that provides them with warmth. I strive to make my knitted designs simplistic, timeless, & functional – a break from fast fashion that people feel great wearing.
I work from home while also raising my son so incorporating my studio into my living space is a must. This allows me to have the somewhat unconventional business hours that running a handmade shop from your home while also raising a child requires. It also creates a playful, inspirational place to create. My studio space is a part of our main living area & blending those two worlds has opened up a whole new way of thinking & creating for me. Letting my son see first hand the hard work & sometimes long hours that running a handmade shop, while also balancing family life, is important to me.
Craftsmanship is of utmost importance & all of my pieces reflect that in their heirloom quality. I am a sole contributor to every aspect that goes into my product. I think brand & presentation is just as important as my pieces & that is reflected in all of my marketing & package design. I do all of my own in-house graphic design, photography & production of product. This has created a cohesive collection that I hope speaks to people on a personable level.
How can artists connect with other artists?
My best advice is to find an artist group in your area. This can be something as simple as a meet-up where you get together to create & brainstorm together. If you can’t find one in your area, make one! I think most artists yearn & can benefit from being a part of an artistic, creative community.
I truly believe that the artist group I am a part of in Smyrna, GA – Indie Arts Alliance – has helped me grow as an artist & definitely helps with any feelings of loneliness & sense of belonging in a creative atmosphere.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work is available through my website & my Etsy shop. I also post my day to day workflow on Instagram.
I always do a few pop-up shops & handmade markets during the fall/holiday season & you can find the dates & times for those posted on my Instagram.
I am so grateful that I get to pursue my passion as a maker & the support from my customers, friends & family is what helps make that possible. I promote buying from handmade and/or local shops as much as I can. Not only will you find one of a kind, meaningful products but you will also be helping support the handmade community of artisans & their livelihoods.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pleasantlyplumpknits.etsy.com ; www.pleasantlyplumpknits.com
- Email: marpleperrydesigns@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/pleasantlyplumpknits/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/pleasantlyplumpknits/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/meghanknits
Image Credit:
Image Credits: Meghan Perry, Portrait Credit: Creed Perry
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
