We recently connected with Mads Motush and have shared our conversation below.

Mads, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

I started my small business about a year ago after I had left a job that wasn’t serving me nor was I passionate about. I wish I had started sooner! I had no idea how to go about starting out something of my own but the key is all about networking. Ask other artists in your area what works for them and what doesn’t. A lot of people see each other as competition but we’re also each other’s best allies as well. I love the artist community in the East Valley because they’re so accepting and willing to help out.
The biggest barrier to me not starting earlier in addition to not knowing how is the time aspect. It’s a ton of prep work to get ready for an event. I think a lot of people don’t necessarily realize how much time can go into the art toys I make- designing the product, the detail work, sourcing materials, things like that. It’s a labor of love and it warms my heart when people compliment my work. My passion for connecting with people and bringing ideas to life keeps me at it as my second job.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve always been interested in fashion, sewing and creation and I knew I wanted to do something with my passion but I didn’t necessarily know what. For those who aren’t familiar with my work, I do a bit of everything: fashion, accessories, plushies, and more! I try to source all of my materials from fabrics that are either “dead stock” or would otherwise go to waste which gives a lot of new life to vintage fabrics. The most important thing to me is to be able to capture a fun essence and create clothes that are accessible to a wide range of people of all sizes. I’m proud of my ability to have grown this from the ground up on my own while still sticking to my core goals of inclusivity, sustainability and creativity & self expression!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The best thing about being an artist to me is connecting with others who really love my work. It makes me happy that other people recognize the work that goes into something that’s entirely handcrafted. There’s nothing I love more than someone tagging me on a post when they’re in an outfit I made for them- my work is meant to be lived in and played with and I love seeing it out in the wild like that doing what it’s supposed to do!

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Something I always tell people is to check out the Art Resource Center in Tempe. They’ve done such a good job both saving materials from going into landfills and they also make art accessible while encouraging reuse of product. I’ve met some great people that volunteer there as well: the community that comes out of art spaces like that always feels incredible because you’re working with likeminded people who you can explore and exchange new ideas with!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Madsthetix.com
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/madsthetix
• Linkedin: https://LinkedIn.com/in/mads-motush
• Other: https://Madsthetix.etsy.com