One of the most daunting aspects of pursing a creative or artistic career for many aspiring artists is not knowing how to learn the craft. So, we asked some very talented artists and creatives to talk to us about how they learned their crafts and we hope their stories will help you in your journey.
Annie Lim
How did you learn to do what you do? I actually got started in ceramics by taking a class back in 2018 in San Francisco. I was hooked right away—the process of working with clay just clicked for me. It was kind of like finding something I didn’t know I was looking for. Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? Honestly, just more practice. I wish I’d spent more time at the wheel or even just sketching out ideas. Also, diving deeper into research—studying different techniques and artists more thoughtfully—would have probably sped things up for me too. What skills do you think were most essential? The basics, for sure. Learning fundamentals like centering clay and understanding form really set the foundation. It’s like you can’t build anything meaningful without mastering those essentials. Read more>>
Katelyn Byng
I started photography when an obsession with Steve McCurry’s work in NatGeo inspired me as a child. The way he looks at people as art is incredible. Preserving the colors of their culture in frames always amazed me – and I decided I wanted to do that with wedding photography. I capture weddings with a photojournalistic perspective. I’ll always love the unposed, imperfect moments more than the posed ones. I tend to connect with the artful couples who want the moments they loved and the moments they missed preserved forever in their wedding gallery. I learned to do what I do through practice, study, and the experience making mistakes provides. Shooting weddings for over 7 years has taught me what (and what not) to do. My uncle gifted me his old 80s film camera a couple of years ago, and I’ll never forget that first wedding I shot film at. It changed my business and my artistic perspective. It gave me the “level up” I didn’t know I needed. Read more>>
Juan Siu
Is all about consistency and delivered practice. I learn to be patient first with myself and trusting the process. For many skills out there, you dont need to have a magic talent but instead the discipline to seat down and put the hours. A major obstacle is usually myself, my limited believes and sometime the fear of what other people will think or say. Is all in our head since most people are too busy living their life, and ours is too short to waste in the “what if” Read more>>
London Carlisle
My training truly started when I was a kid, attending Star Camp at The Historic Ashland Theatre in Ashland, Alabama. That’s where I first fell in love with performing. I’d also participate in the summer youth musicals at the theatre, which were directed by sisters Robin Steele Thornhill and Lori Steele Sewell. Their guidance shaped my early understanding of what it meant to bring a character to life on stage, and those experiences sparked my passion for acting. Years later, I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Performance from Auburn University. Auburn’s BFA program gave me a solid foundation in everything from scene study and Fitzmaurice Voicework to movement and stage combat. But it wasn’t just about technique — it was about digging deep and finding my own personal connection to the work, something I carry into every role I take on. Read more>>
Zuzanna Kowalczyk
I honed my skills as an illustrator and graphic designer through a combination of formal education and hands-on experience. My artistic journey began with a passion for visual storytelling, which led me to explore various design tools, techniques, and mediums over the years. In retrospect, to speed up my learning process, I could have focused more on practical projects early on, rather than getting too caught up in perfecting every small detail. Embracing mistakes and learning from them would have accelerated my growth. The most essential skills for me have been creativity, attention to detail, and a strong grasp of design software. Equally important is adaptability—being able to experiment with new techniques and tools to evolve with industry trends. One of the main obstacles I faced was self-doubt, which sometimes slowed my progress. Overcoming it required building confidence through practice and gradually taking on more challenging projects. Read more>>
Isabella Hendrixson
Most of what I’ve learned to do I’ve either taught myself how or asked for a friend’s help but that’s not very often might I add. I’m a very independent person and I love puzzles so I try and figure things out on my own whether that be through YouTube tutorials, WikiHow pages, or just looking at Facebook groups on the topic and trying to piece together the parts to make it look how I want it to. My dad was always doing the same, he would always get into a new hobby almost every month and need to learn every last thing there was to about that specific hobby, and for the most part, he taught himself how just like I do. Now if I were to go back in time and redo my learning process I definitely would have researched materials and processes a little bit more than just taking people’s words for what they say. I also would look for cheaper materials, especially wigs and such to start out with knowing that I was absolutely going to demolish and destroy these expensive materials and not be able to salvage or save any parts of them. Read more>>
Sierra Boone
It’s not a sexy answer, but doing research and learning from experts helped a bunch. I read so many books and attended so many webinars — especially during the pandemic — that helped me grasp the process of creating a children’s show that could actually be unique, make an impact and stand the test of time. If you’re really passionate about doing something new, have enough passion to be a novice. Learn the ropes! There’s no shame in being a beginner. Read more>>
Jorge Estrano
I have always been self-taught when it comes to art, it is a form that I really enjoy. Learn and see beyond. I don’t change anything I’ve learned, because it’s what has gotten me to where I am right now. One of the skills that have helped me on this path is the way I manage to organize myself to achieve a goal, the flexibility I have to adapt and that curiosity that always leads me to see further. Like every human being, I have faced many obstacles, one of them is purchasing power, which has been very difficult at all times, but I have managed to acquire tools that help me stay on my feet. Read more>>
Robert Wiggins
I gained an interest in photography in 2011, after taking an art survey course in college. The class specifically covered different time periods of painting and sculpting which gained my interest in the process of creating. My grandfather was a portrait photographer and after looking through his old film books, it essentially lit a fire in me and I’ve been striving to capture photos ever since. Some thing I could have done differently to speed up my learning process, was to capture photos more often. The skills I think were most essential to me were learning to be an extrovert when necessary and how to promote my brand. Naturally I am an introverted person, so I tend to stay to myself, but I’ve learned to have a balance of both. Some obstacles that stood in the way of learning more could have been me being timid to photograph new things. That certainly would have pushed me forward in my career as a photographer. Read more>>
Priyadarshi Upadhyaya
I wasn’t born artist. I am still not a full time artist. I do have a regular job. I started painting back in 2017 . I was watching some YouTube video and an art video was recommended and it got me interested. Then I decided to try myself some art . So I started learning from YouTube channels. Although I am still learning , I have gained some confidence. I have worked both with oil and acrylic . I prefer acrylic since it involves less cleaning and its more forgiving medium. It is possible to paint using acrylic and look like its in oil. Just need lots of practice and patience. I didn’t have any obstacles while learning. Although I wanted to see if I can find an artist who teaches oil portrait but couldn’t, not in person classes. Well I like what I do now. Read more>>
Nelda Toñe
How did you learn to do what you do? I started out with just an idea, a spark of passion, and a whole lot of determination. I wanted to be a speaker, to connect with people on a deeper level and share my message. But I didn’t just want to talk. I wanted to create a space where others could share their stories too. So, I took a leap of faith and started networking, meeting people from all walks of life. I learned a ton from these experiences, figuring out what worked and what didn’t. It was a trial-and-error process, but every mistake was a stepping stone. And let me tell you, it’s been an exhilarating journey filled with growth and self-discovery. Knowing what you know now what could you have done to speed up your learning process? Knowing what I know now, I wish I’d been a bit more fearless in pursuing my goals. I used to let other people’s opinions cloud my judgment, but now I realize that the best way to learn is to trust your gut and dive headfirst into your passions. Read more>>
Aaron Deyarmon
How did I learn to do what I do? As in songwriting? Well, self taught via the masters of songwriting, I suppose and woodshedding my guitar. Learning to play the songs I wrote and playing those songs hundreds and thousands of times each just so I know how to play them and be ready to deliver them live. You asked, “ Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?” I’m not sure that I could have sped up the learning process in any other way other than, I could have started sooner. But ultimately life and choices dictates our time. What is great about life is you can change your path at anytime and restructure your time anyway you like as well. To keep learning! That is the key and do it at any pace you like. Read more>>
Julian Lombard
I learned from practicing everything. Different aspects of the art having to be done in real time was my practice. From writing, to making beats, performing, making music videos, and learning the music business. There is always something to learn and get better at. I think all of these skills are equally essential because I need all of them to get my art and point across, the way I want without relying too much on other people. The main obstacle that stood in the way was finding and managing time to do it all. Read more>>
Larry Silver
My first time approaching oil painting I didn’t know much about how to paint like the oil masters or any of the great artists I admired. I just knew I had a strong interest in a bold depth layered look in a painting. Back when I was first starting out I didn’t have the funding to go to art school or a workshop. I didn’t even have WiFi at the time so I would go to the library to watch videos of oil painters. There was no one to tell me what was challenging or difficult in the mediums I was working with, so I was very experimental with the bits of information I received along the way. I believe in my journey, this disadvantage was eventually my advantage. I was able to approach the craft of oil painting more confidently due to the fact that I didn’t know a skill radar level. I just knew the energy I felt when painting that lead me to learn more about the craft. That’s when I realized I wasn’t just learning about the craft itself, but I was also learning about myself. Confidence is key when it comes to learning. Read more>>
Neon Thrash
I think the biggest tool I’ve had with learning the craft is the internet. There is SO MUCH knowledge out there and that can feel like drinking from a firehouse at times. I think the real challenge is figuring out a path and getting organized to see it through. Lists are huge and breaking things down into specifics to focus on really helps. So much trial and error and playing around with different tools and mediums. That’s the fun part and I encourage everyone to do as much as possible! Read more>>
Layauna Bonds
Acting. Wow, what a journey! It’s funny, I’ve been doing this since I was a kid, but I didn’t even realize it at the time. Growing up, my parents were super loving but also pretty strict. We weren’t glued to screens like kids are now—no tablets or endless TV shows. There were three of us, and we shared one TV in one room. But here’s the kicker: we couldn’t even turn it on until 6 p.m. And before that, it was all about homework, reading, creative writing, and math—literally from the age of 4! So, with whatever time we had as we were all involved in extracurriculars, we had to get creative. My siblings and I would finish up our work and then ask, “What now?” That’s when we’d come up with our own little skits. We had this massive camcorder, and we didn’t even bother with scripts. We’d just talk through an idea, press record, and boom— a production! Those were some of the most fun and imaginative times as a kid. Read more>>
Kenythe Francis
Music began truly with my love for words and what they mean to the world and on a personal level. I learned the art of effective communication from my father who is a masterful orator and writer. I would observe and listen to him speak and see how he was able to articulate his thoughts in a concise manner. He instilled in me at a very young age the importance of how one must write and how one must speak. I was always an avid reader and had a wild imagination so it all ended up evolving into my desire to create music. Read more>>
Riley Robinson
Learning how to do and create what I do now has been a life long process. It’s a culmination of family members who entertained my interests as a child, art classes and teachers, inspirations to explore and experiment. With that said, I don’t think there’s necessarily a way it could have been sped up rather than it just being part of the process and growing. As far as skills go, I believe it’s important to have a strong understanding of the “basics”; color theory, line, perspective, anatomy and so on. Knowing the foundations helps break them as you wish and create to the fullest extent. Intuition and the ability to adapt are essential skills to me as well. Read more>>
Veronica Salazar
I started in the candle-making ind ustry working for someone else. During that time, I gained extensive knowledge about the different types of wax and developed such expertise that I became the designer for the company’s new collections. I worked there for eighteen years. After relocating to another state, it became difficult to work outside the home since I had a young child. That’s when I decided to start my own business and leverage my candle-making expertise to my advantage. I wanted to catch up by taking courses to see what was trending, and that’s when I decided to start working with new elements. I’ve been in continuous learning, listening to suggestions, preferences, and requests from some customers, which has greatly helped me stay in the favor of those who appreciate my work. Working with certain types of wax is challenging, and achieving a good product requires numerous tests until I reach the result I’m aiming for. However, all of this helps me gain more knowledge about what I do. Read more>>
Carolyn Hillyer
I learned to bake gluten-free out of necessity. I am a lifelong baker who loved making every kind of treat imaginable but in the mid-2000s I developed the inability to eat wheat. I had to re-learn all my favorites using new techniques and ingredients. I tried other people’s recipes and quickly learned things that looked as good as my favorites with wheat did not usually taste that way. Looking back, I would have started experimenting with my recipes sooner and been less afraid to try unusual solutions. Some of my best gluten-free recipes have come from crazy ideas! My curiosity and drive have been the most helpful skills in the long journey of remaking my entire recipe file wheat-free. I think I was my worst obstacle since I hate failing and making inedible food…but experimentation means you sometimes fail. Read more>>
Nickolas Wolf
Acting and Photography, go hand in hand with learning the craft on the job. Whether you make mistakes and learn during projects or learn from watching other individuals you work with, both art forms I feel are best improved upon with real working experience, even if in the beginning it’s only a small amount of work opportunity. While you can learn technical aspects of both crafts from watching videos, attending classes or listening to stories, many real-world lessons and adjustments to your own style and comfort come from doing any sort of work. You find ways to challenge yourself and ask questions to peers. You can even learn from other individuals growing in both art forms as well. Read more>>
Elive Beehive
I learned how to do what I do by staying confident, being persistent and consistent always willing to network. Timing and place is everything slow grind better than no grind take your time don’t let them take your time. The most essential skills to me were having communication, knowing what to say, and how to say it and approach. The only obstacles faced is not disciplining myself, allowing distractions Read more>>
Paige Allen
I learned my artistry through my environment growing up and all of the amazing artists around me. My mom made it a point to have me involved In every show, audition, camp, and experience she could. In Louisville, at the age of 5 I auditioned for Rush Trowel. He changed the entire trajectory of my life and career. He is the founder of faith works studios and not only taught me… but REQUIRED me to be disciplined. I was able to soak in the spiritual and emotional side of music and be embraced by so many strong gospel singers. Another major influential person in my career to this day is Ron Browning. My very first lesson with Ron was at six years old in Nashville and I continue to be trained by him 20 years later. One of the biggest mistakes and obstacles in my career was myself. I’m passionate, hard working, but I’m also stubborn. Read more>>
Daniela Lindh
When I was 16, I began my journey into the world of hairdressing. Over three years I delved into the fundamentals of hair, including cutting, coloring, perming, and updos. I also learned the basics about skin and nails during this time. I vividly remember the day when Rapunzel of Sweden, a company based in my hometown of Umeå, visited my school to teach us about hair extensions. At that time, the available methods were limited to individual techniques like k-tips, I-tips, and micro links, as well as a braided sew-in method and temporary options like clip-ins. I was immediately captivated and eager to learn more. I bought a heating tool and practiced on my friend. I remember how sore my fingers and wrists were after and despite the pain I endured, the incredible transformation I did made it all worth it. Read more>>
Daniel Nishiguchi
I’ve been a music producer for over a decade now. I started my musical journey at Garnish Music School in Los Angeles and learned under the tutelage of Promnite, Penthouse Penthouse and other LA-beat scene producers back in 2013. In the beginning, I wish I didn’t put so much stock in trying to make the “one hit wonder” track and instead just focused on finishing music. Some of the best advice I got was just keep making music, every track is going to get better and better because you learn new tricks, new ways of processing and new ideas. I think the biggest skills you can have in the beginning is persistence and determination, you don’t have to be a musical genius to become a successful producer! I think the biggest obstacle was (and still is) time, it really does take hours of dedication to learn how to produce. Read more>>
Graham Cameron
I learned through a combination of structured learning and active doing. I like a structured learning process, I liked doing schoolwork and I like working towards a deadline. Part of my learning process was taking (and paying for) classes. I took a evening writing course through UCLA’s Professional Programs, online freelance writing courses, and many, many improv and sketch classes with local theaters. After that, it was just forcing myself to write or perform. The “doing” part. After my classes, I formed performance groups with the friends I made to stay active and get stage time. At home, I try to write something everyday. A script, a sketch, an essay, a pitch email, a journal entry. Something. When I don’t feel like writing, I’ll read a book or a script and take notes. If I’m feeling really low-energy, I’ll watch the filmed version of a script I’ve read and takes notes on how what’s written transfers to the screen. There’s many free resources for practicing writing. Most scripts are available online with the right Google searches. The WGA Library also has about every TV script ever that you can checkout and read at the library. The LA public libraries have a massive collection of books on writing for free! (Quick recs: Hidden Tools of Comedy by Steve Kaplan, Write To TV by Martie Cook, and The Writers’ Room Survival Guide by Niceole Levy) Read more>>
Jack Kenway Cheng
I started learning and honing my craft when I was 13 years old. My journey started at the actor’s youth academy in Arcadia with my teacher Yvette who taught me how to perform with gravitas and care. I was young, and didn’t understand as much as I could’ve, but it was integral in my journey today. It was at the academy that I met talented actors that I learned from and honed my crafts with, I’ll always be appreciative of their support and expertise. Next I ventured to John Markland studios where my peers like Eiza Gonzalez and Remi Malek have honed their crafts from as well. The journey with John took me to method and scene studying which are integral to the performing arts. Next, I studied at Graham Shiels studios with talented teachers who are in the industry. It was there that I met a lot of actors that I respect and am still in touch with today. Read more>>
Tomoki Nomura
I wouldn’t call this a skill but a personality trait that I learned that is essential is perseverance. Sometimes, things for me don’t work out the first time around so I have learned to be able to keep trying. Even when there seems to be no hope, I can create reasons to be hopeful. I learned furniture and industrial design through a mix of mentors, formal education, and online resources. My mentors provided me with invaluable opportunities, while ArtCenter College of Design laid the foundation for my career, teaching me essential skills for navigating a competitive industry. The internet, especially platforms like YouTube, filled in gaps in my technical knowledge and allowed me to explore areas I might not have encountered otherwise. Read more>>
Bojun Tan
My journey into graphic design has been shaped by years of hands-on experience and a deep commitment to honing my craft. From the start, I’ve treated every design project with the same level of seriousness, whether it was a small personal challenge or a major commission. I believe that growth in this field comes from setting high standards for yourself in every task. By obsessing over the details and continually refining both concept and execution, you naturally improve over time. One of the most critical skills for a designer is the ability to truly understand the client’s needs and values, and to translate them into visuals that resonate with their audience. Early in my career, I took on freelance projects, which gave me invaluable professional experience. However, I now realize that focusing more on personal projects could have accelerated my learning and helped me cultivate a unique creative voice sooner. Read more>>
Jack Ruefli
As a Producer, Writer, and Director, I have learned (and continue to learn) my craft through both formal education and self-driven curiosity. My journey began in my senior years of high school, where I made my first film and took a film class that ignited a passion for the medium that I still hold today. I then pursued an undergraduate degree in Screen Arts at Curtin University, and I am currently in my second year of a Master’s in Producing at the American Film Institute. Although I have formal education, I would say the biggest lessons I’ve learned came from independently creating my own films as a producer, writer, and director. In Perth, Western Australia, where I’m from, you had to wear many different hats to get things done. This approach taught me a lot about the craft across different facets, and it has made me more informed about the process today. Read more>>
Andrea Anderson
When I first started modeling back in 2018, I had NO clue at all what fashion or modeling was about! I never had an interest or even thought of pursuing that career. I was shocked when agents and talent scouts would suggest that I’d be great for this project or that project. Although it was something I wasn’t familiar with, it looked so exciting and new so I decided to commit to modeling. My first year was amazing, but I felt the pressure and competition of the industry and was second-guessing my career every. single. day in my second year. I was not standard 5’7 or felt either skinny or pretty enough. It was hard for me to picture myself doing a shoot or commercial. Later in 2019, I met Rio Summers from America’s Next Top Model for model coaching. She definitely gave me the boost and knowledge I needed to start taking this career seriously. I felt crazy just showing up to a casting call without much knowledge or experience. Read more>>
Coco Groves
Funny enough, I actually went to school for musical theater and it wasn’t until many years later I decided to move to Nashville and be in a band. Growing up I knew I wanted to be on stage in some capacity and that my favorite thing to do was sing. At the time I also had been in competition dance since I was in elementary school and done every school play so Musical theater seemed like the obvious answer. Although there are a lot of things I would have done a little differently if I would have known I was going to be a bandleader (such as learn an instrument more proficiently) I learned a lot of valuable things that I think a lot of people miss out on when learning only music. Read more>>
Darren Southern Plug Brown
I started it out studying along side the great in my state like the Niche Carolina Magazine & the SC Music Awards. Taking the not inventing the wheel appraich, I just sort of model.my business plan after the greats to come before me. People skills have been the most influential in my line of work. Creating a magazine issue requires networking snf building relationships with loads of creatives. Getting thrm.to talk about some of the most intimate details if their careers and lives. It takes great people skills to garner that type repore with folks. The biggest obstacle in my journey as a magazine founder was also what I listed as my greatest attribute earlier. Unfortunately some of those in my field saw me as competition and did anything to derail my plans to no avail thank God. They saw the market as too small to accommodate a giant such as myself and wouldn’t even collaborate or show me the way. Read more>>
Andrea Smith
I just researched online like TikTok and other resources like UGC club website. If I was going to do this again I wouyjust pitch to as many brands as possible and also create a community before making my website and setting up socials. The most essential skill in this field is thick skin. Your not going to like being ghosted and scammed. The only I have to learn more is myself! I’m not at a point in my life to commit full time while being a full time parent. Read more>>
Amanda Indeyevid
I developed my knowledge on forming a band through experience and learning from mistakes. Understanding what works and what doesn’t when it comes to finding the right people, how to start the first band practice, how to ask someone to join your band, there are so many aspects you just have to take the leap of faith and experience for yourself. This includes failure, the first band won’t be the last, and you have to accept that. You need to move along and grow from mistakes instead of jumping the gun and throwing everything in the trash and starting new. Work with not only your friends, but friends that respect you and can be professional when it is necessary. Be professional and communicative to people in your community as in, understand there is no competition with a local d.i.y music scene, as the support from each other is what keeps it alive. Never miss an opportunity to play, and give every performance your all despite if it’s only the bartender in your audience or a thousand people, it does not matter whose watching, it matter that your bandmates and you are loving what you are doing despite success or not. Read more>>
Hannah Lewis
I started drawing when I was still in the single digits. My mom told me that when I was little, she would give me a stack of printer paper and I would draw a figure on every single piece, in her words she said I created “prolifically”. I’m lucky enough that my parents took my dedication to making art seriously, and they put me in art classes early. I took classes through elementary, middle, high school and college. The class I took that was the most influential on my style was an intensive series called Figure Academy taught by the Visual Art Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah. There I learned the fundamentals of how to draw people, I have been enamored with drawing the human figure ever since. My largest obstacle in my art practice has funnily enough been myself. I’ll have spurts where I create and create, and then down time where I will go months without picking up a pen or a brush, and then inspiration will suddenly hit and I’ll again begin to produce “prolifically”. This has been my pattern for years. I try to fight it, I wish I were an artist who wanted to produce art constantly, but I am beginning to become settled with the idea that this may just be the way that I make art and may always will be. Read more>>
Carla Susan Lewis
This is a fascinating question as my great passion in life is learning. Although so much of an actor’s skill is instinctual requiringing spontaneity, freedom, and trust in the moment; a solid foundation in technique and training is fundamental, I committed myself to training from multiple perspectives in order to explore which tools worked best. I love the process of discovery and learned through practice and rehearsal that mixing up perspectives for a particular scene or character or genre, allowed me to enter the world of the play or the film as fully as possible. Learning by doing worked best for me. I learned through exploration and courage. Courage to fail. To take risks. To reveal. Most important was not viewing perspectives, be it Stella Adler, Uta Hagen, or Stanislavski, as mutually exclusive. Sometimes the imagination did the trick. Other times I needed to use very personal scenarios, “What ifs” or particular relationships, to evoke something true that I could respond to. Read more>>
Zach Damon
How did you learn to do what you do? I started young, getting involved in entertainment through public speaking and volunteer work at just 6 years old. I worked with the March of Dimes, eventually becoming a goodwill ambassador, which ignited my passion public speaking. Those early experiences gave me a strong foundation, but it was my determination and relentless pursuit of education that drove me forward. As I continued, I realized that persistence was key to navigating the challenges of the industry. Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? If I could go back, I’d prioritize collaboration and mentorship much earlier. It’s easy to think that success depends solely on your own abilities, but I’ve learned that seeking help and guidance from others can make a huge difference. If I had asked for help sooner, I could have accelerated my learning by benefiting from others’ experience and expertise. Read more>>
Chrystal Taylor
My journey into modeling began in my teenage years, when I first explored the craft through modeling classes. These early lessons provided a solid foundation in posing, expression, and the basics of working in front of the camera. However, it wasn’t until the pandemic in 2020, when I had the chance to focus more deeply on my passions, that I began to immerse myself in modeling and build a more comprehensive portfolio. During the additional free time I had while finishing my degree online, I took advantage of social media to showcase my modeling work and connect with industry professionals. This hands-on approach, combined with the foundational skills from my earlier classes, allowed me to refine my techniques and develop a distinctive style. Read more>>
Rico Mangram
I think the best thing that happened to me was learning how to teach people how to dance Salsa, and it also brought me into how to be in front of people and understand people that are beginning to learn, so that forced me to connect with people and learn more about them. As a talk show host that is part of my craft is to understand the guest and learn more about them. Of course being on camera and how to stay focus and talking to the audience as if they are in front of me. The craft of being a talkshow host has made me have patience and listen then respond later. Read more>>
Sarah Auer
Growing up I always loved being creative but leaned into homestead themes – like sewing, knitting and needlepoint. I also love thrifting with my mom. She taught me how to incorporate found and new items, and I watched her decorate, as she has a keen eye for design. I learned from her how to be patient (don’t just buy it to buy it), look for quality and timeless pieces, and how to style a room with color, art and classic feels…old and new. I believe that you have to be in the right mental space to produce quality work – if I am not in the mood to thrift or make a shell, I don’t. Taking the time and putting in the right energy is important. If you are not ‘into it’ that day – I recommend doing something else that makes you happy in that moment. I am also a strong believer in planning ahead. If I have a wedding order of 100 shells, I start 2 months ahead of time prepping. I never want to be down to the wire, especially for a client. Read more>>
Scott Grady
When I think about the process of creating music and learning the craft, I am struck most by the synthesis of contrasting elements: magic and science, emotion and intellect, freedom and discipline. In the beginning of my musical journey, I was mostly self-taught. I learned to play guitar by ear as a kid and tried to channel the aspects of the music that I loved into my own playing. Since at first, I was playing by myself, I’d create melodies, chord progressions, and patterns without much thought of building these fragments into anything more than what they were. Continuing this process indefinitely without growth would probably have started to feel empty and pointless. But, at the time, is was pure and beautiful. I was just playing with sound the way kids might play with clay or sand or sticks in the woods. It was all freedom, feeling, and magic. Read more>>
Jaida Berry
I first picked up sewing by watching YouTube videos and being determined. In high school, I was excited to create a pleated skirt with an invisible zipper, so I taught myself the basics. Later, I took a sewing class for hands-on experience, which was the end of my formal training. Looking back, I realize that pursuing a formal design education could have helped me learn faster and overcome the challenges I faced without structured lessons. Understanding body measurements and pattern making are crucial skills for clothing design, and mastering these basics makes the whole process easier. Read more>>
Kati Falk-flores
I wouldn’t be where I am today had I not had a major breakdown in college. At the time, I was pursuing a degree in vocal performance and broke down after my junior recital. That night was the first time I truly improvised and then composed music — and the piece born that night went on to be performed by the local symphony. Prior to that, though I loved film music, I had never considered composition, nor even improvised musically. I was terrified to get things wrong. And I was stifling myself creatively through that fear of failure. I got into grad school for composition and after earning my Master’s went on to study film scoring at UCLA. However learning to write music for trailers is really what’s shaped my path and skills into what they are today. I learned a whole new skillset for music production that is absolutely essential for versatility as a composer. Read more>>