Today we’d like to introduce you to Shae Anthony.
Shae, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started sewing at the age of four thanks to my insanely artistic mom – who still sews daily. She taught me how to be creative and problem solve which is why I’ve always loved being a maker. If it can be made by hand, I’ve probably tried it; bags, pillows, jewelry, painting, sculpting, woodworking – building furniture is actually my favorite thing to do! I found my love for illustrating again, years after putting the laptop down so to speak from creating logos and websites. Now, when I sit at my desk, or on the couch to watch a good movie, I get excited about creating colorful 2D pieces that tell a very personal yet relatable story.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The maker road has not been easy! Like many, I got to a point where I had to choose between creating full-time and paying the bills. There were times where the math definitely was “not mathing”. To remedy this, I tried to create by force and make things that I thought people would want to buy – verses what I enjoyed making. I remember feeling like a factory at one point. I was making pillows full-time and somewhere along the line, I noticed that it wasn’t making me happy. I was in my office from sun up to sun down just churning out pillows and while the money was nice, I was bored. I wasn’t challenging myself. I knew how to sew but I wasn’t making anything I truly cared about.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I always say my business is my side hustle but I mean it lovingly. I’m a full-time visual merchandiser “by day” and I do my business, so to speak, during my off time. I actually love it this way. I spent so much time trying to create to make money and now I get to create for the love of it. My day job takes care of the need and my business handles the want.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Not one bit.
Contact Info:
- Website: sheisthis.com
- Instagram: sheisthisdesigns
