We recently connected with Abby Shaner and have shared our conversation below.

Abby, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’ve always been far more creative over anything else. I love writing, creating, getting lost in music and art and am a person that works better alone. I was okay in school and always knew the world of college then corporate would not be for me. I always knew deep down I’d be doing something with art or writing but wasn’t sure what that would mean for me so I tried a few things and some stuck, some failed, but the second I started working with moss it was a very organic and quick passion. It instantly felt like its meant to be…like it was there all along just waiting for me to find it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Abby, I live with my husband, son and daughter and 2 dogs in Cincinnati, Ohio. Eric, the frame builder of WoodSolStone, and I are close to celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary! I’m a hairstylist (18 years already! in the day and get lost in moss art in my free time. I drink too much coffee, not enough water. I love plants, animals, long walks with a really good podcast on, and am a total homebody who is in a constant state of “nesting” I consider myself very lucky to get to do what I love and enjoy doing.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to always stay creating. To continue sharing my walls around Cincinnati, in people’s homes, businesses and local vendor markets. I hope to continue to grow, grow and grow. Grow in my business and grow in my skill. I have this vision board of a cool little studio and shop of my own to bring community in for classes- teaching moss wall classes is definitely a new years goal of mine! The fact that people like my art and want to have one too, or admire it- it is what keeps driving me. That and my own personal passion for it. If no one ever bought a single wall, my house would still be FILLED with moss walls. It’s the creative outlet I need.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

The world is people that love numbers and people who don’t. Those who can sing and those who can’t. The book smarts and the street smarts, the musicians and the tech world gurus. The doctors and the screen writers. We all have things we are really good at and things we aren’t so good at. I love when people say “I don’t have a creative bone in my body!” And I’m like “I still count on my fingers!” Different folks, different strokes! I love it. If you’re a non creative, great. I’ll make you a piece of art and you can do my taxes! We all need eachother for our skill sets we’ve been given.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Woodsolstone_studio
• Facebook: Facebook.com/WoodSolStonestudio

Image Credits
All taken by myself