Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Gearhart.
Hi Sarah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from Marietta and moved to Statesboro, GA for college where I got my degree in Sport Management at Georgia Southern University. After graduation, I got hired full-time and I worked in athletics for a couple of years. While working there, I started painting at the local paint your own pottery studio as a way to unwind after a stressful week of work. I got to know the manager at the studio and ended up working there full-time. After a few years of managing the pottery studio, I purchased the business a few days after my 27th birthday.
Whenever we would receive large shipments at the store, the boxes of pottery would come on large pallets, and I hated seeing those pallets go to waste. I decided one night to break them down and try my hand at making signs. People loved them and I started Gearhart Design Co. as a little side project, mostly just making custom painted signs for friends. I loved the idea of using reclaimed wood not only to upcycle it but also because the imperfections on the wood added to the charm of the pieces I made.
I sold my pottery studio and moved back to Marietta at the start of 2020 to be closer to family. For several months, as with everyone else in 2020, I found myself having no artistic inspiration and didn’t create anything until the fall when I was stuck at home for a month with Covid. I decided I wanted to start up Gearhart Design Co. once again and combatted my Covid insomnia by transforming my garage into a workshop for my business.
I started with strictly making wood signs, and as my business grew, tried my hand at making digitally drawn stickers and greeting cards. Once art markets started up again, I began attending as many as I could and went from strictly selling online to selling at markets almost every Saturday and Sunday. My greeting cards have become my best seller (I try to make cards that you won’t find in a card store), and they are now available to purchase at Light Within Art Studio at Underground Atlanta.
All of the items I make are things that I am passionate about and that I enjoy making. I describe my stuff as a little bit classy, a little sassy, and a lot smart assy.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Having a business and creating all of my items from scratch means a lot of late nights and early mornings. I want to create a perfect and unique piece that the customer will love but be able to do so in a timely manner. This is especially hard around the holidays when I have more orders. Most of my orders are custom orders, which means I make most of my products to order and specific to the customer. So balancing all that I have to do with trying to maintain somewhat of a social life (and also sleep) can be tough, but it makes it worth it when I get a message from my customer telling me they love their item(s).
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in wooden signs, stickers, and greeting cards.
I make two kinds of wooden signs: pallet signs and farmhouse-style signs. My pallet signs are made from recycled reclaimed wood. All of my wooden signs are cut, stained, and hand-painted by me. I have a ton of pre-made designs I sell in various sizes, but I also offer custom designs at no extra charge. My most popular signs are hand-painted recipe signs, where the customer sends me a copy of their favorite handwritten recipe (or note) and I transfer it onto a sign and then hand paint it on. I started making these after I found a stack of handwritten recipes from my grandmother. While they definitely take the longest to make, I absolutely love making them because they’re not only beautiful but sentimental.
My stickers and greeting cards are definitely my best sellers when I go to art markets. I try to make them humorous while just telling it like it is. I had a customer tell me one time he came in my tent to looks at my stuff because I looked so wholesome and nice, but then once he read my stickers and cards, he realized I was the exact opposite, which made him like me even more. And that was one of the best compliments I’ve received. Life is tough sometimes, and if I can bring some joy and laughter to people with my products, then I’ve done my job!
I try to make pieces that are different from other stores and vendors. I want my products to be beautiful and of great quality and craftsmanship, but also make people laugh and brighten their day.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I had everything planned out for my business, but it took me a long time to actually do it and get myself out there. Imposter syndrome is real, and feeling like you’re not good enough to sell things or have a business is a real problem that I still deal with sometimes. I think the best thing to do is just do it. Make your products, share them with people, and be confident about your brand. It still amazes me whenever I get a sale. Knowing that people love my items as much as I do is what keeps me going. You will always be your own biggest critic, which can be annoying but I think is also a good sign that you’re passionate about what you do.
Pricing:
- Signs: $10-50
- Stickers: $2.75
- Greeting Cards: $3
- Custom Items: $10+
Contact Info:
- Email: gearhartdesignco@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.gearhartdesignco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gearhartdesignco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearhartdesignco/
