Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamar Samplonius

Hi Tamar, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

Hi! Thank you so much for this opportunity – I’m excited to share my story with you :)

I’ll start by telling a bit about what I do today. I’m a fiber artist working from my studio in The Netherlands, where I create large-scale fiber art using techniques like macrame, weaving, and knitting. I’ve been doing this professionally since 2017, but my creative journey started much earlier in my childhood.

As a little kid, I was always creating something. It began with arts and crafts projects with my mom, using whatever materials we could get our hands on such as cardboard boxes, toilet paper rolls, and paint ;)
Over the years, that early creativity evolved, and I developed an interest in making jewelry, dreamcatchers, and even woodworking. I loved woodworking so much that I decided to leave high school to pursue a study in it. During that time, I was given an assignment to experiment with different materials and techniques, which is how I discovered macrame!

I shared my first few pieces on Facebook, and to my surprise and delight, people wanted to buy my work. Encouraged by this response, I kept going, eventually creating my own website – and now here we are today! I never imagined this would become my career, but I’m incredibly happy that it is because it allows me to do what I love every day.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

The journey of setting up my business has been fairly smooth, as I kind of grew into it naturally. However, the creative side has sometimes been anything but easy, largely due to my perfectionism. This is something I’ve been ‘struggling’ with for many years. Recently, I’ve been making a conscious effort to let go of that need for perfection, but it hasn’t been easy.

For example, I recently took on a commission that required me to adopt a style very different from my usual work. The client wanted a more ‘free’ design, and right from the start, I hit a massive wall. I found it incredibly difficult to let go of control, which led to a lot of frustration, tears, and moments of anger. I felt like I couldn’t get it right, but I had to push through because this was a commissioned piece.

Eventually, I was able to let go of my need for perfection and fully embrace a free, unstructured approach. This shift in mindset was a breakthrough for me. Once I stopped fighting against the chaos and started working with it, everything began to flow naturally. The process became enjoyable, and I discovered a new freedom in my creativity.

So while the road hasn’t always been smooth, these struggles have led to personal and creative growth, which makes the journey all the more rewarding.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

As I briefly mentioned before, I create fiber art! My work mainly focuses on macrame and woven tapestries, and I always prioritize using natural materials whenever possible. I primarily work on commission, collaborating closely with clients to design pieces that enhance and reflect the individuality of their spaces. Each project is a unique collaboration, and I love the process of turning a client’s vision into a tangible piece of art.

In addition to commissioned work, I also create pre-made pieces. These allow me to freely explore and incorporate all of my creative ideas without any constraints. This balance between commissioned and personal work is something I deeply value, as it gives me the freedom to push the boundaries of my creativity while still connecting with the needs and desires of my clients.

I’m particularly proud of the global reach of my work. It’s incredibly humbling to know that my pieces have found homes in various corners of the world, bringing a touch of my creativity into diverse spaces. Seeing my art resonate with people across different cultures and environments is beyond anything I could have imagined.

I strive to maintain high standards of quality and really connect with my clients to bring their ideas to life. While I’ve been actively working on letting go of some of my perfectionist tendencies to embrace more creative freedom, this shift is about allowing myself to explore new styles and approaches that push the boundaries of my work. It’s a process of finding balance between freedom and precision.
I want to assure clients that this pursuit of creative freedom does not compromise the quality of my work.

What’s next?

I’m excited about the future of my art practice and eager to see where my evolving style will take me. Lately, I’ve been feeling that my creative approach is changing rapidly, and I’m excited to see how these changes will unfold.

One possibility I’m considering, though not yet a definite plan, is finding a new studio with more space. My current studio is small, and while I’m grateful for it, the limited space does restrict the types of projects I can take on. A larger studio, especially one with higher ceilings, would be fantastic and would open up new possibilities for the kinds of work I can create. Overall, I’m looking forward to continuing my journey and seeing how these changes might inspire and expand my creative practice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tamarsamplonius.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamarsamplonius/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samploniustamar