We were lucky to catch up with Amanda Keltner recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I think that I am the happiest when I am creating. While I am in my studio, I am able to have a release from the rest of the world and am able to clear my mind and just be. When I go into the studio, I light one of my favorite candles, sit at my desk and breathe. I take in all of the things around me, set my intentions, then I can start to create, kind of like a meditation process. I have tried working a regular job and it was not for me at all. It felt very constrictive and was just miserable for me. My other business is also a creative business. I own and operate my own hair salon studio, Flora Luna Hair Studio. So luckily I am able to be creative in both businesses. I wish I could have found the Fabled Raven side of myself a little sooner, but honestly I think it came at the right time.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

It all started with a vacation that landed us in Salem, MA where my husband and I took a broom making class. Now, anyone who knows me is fully aware of my witchy side. I fell in love with the craft of broom making and so I decided to sell them as I made them. Then everything blossomed into wreath making, making intention jars, and into oddity art using ethically sourced animal bones, skulls, butterflies, bugs, and moths. I specialize in a market catering to the cottagecore aesthetic. I use all real, preserved flowers on everything as well. I don’t have a brick and mortar store as of yet. we pack everything up and go to live arts/crafts events and offer online commerce as well. Someday, the dream is to have my own store front where I can offer everything that I make and showcase other artists work as well. I think my particular brand of oddities and curiosities stands out because I use all real, natural materials and vibrant colors. I like to celebrate the beauty of life as well as death, instead of making everything macabre and dark. Recently I have started offering/making oddity jewelry and it’s been a huge success! My husband has joined in the fun by making chainmail jewelry too! I love that we can come together and both have a stake in this business and it is amazing to have a partner in this adventure together. I offer commission pieces on a seasonal basis. I unfortunately cannot offer them during my peak live event seasons. I am very proud of how far I have come into this business and with my artistic style. I have only been making and selling my items for a a year and a half and getting to see the progress and improvement in the quality has been very rewarding. I also love and appreciate my repeat buyers. There is no better compliment than someone who has loved your art enough to come back for more.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I don’t think there’s only one aspect that’s the most rewarding. I love that I have a creative outlet for myself. I have Bipolar II and sometimes it can be rough to navigate. So allowing myself time to decompress and make something beautiful has been really helpful and fulfilling. It’s a great and fortunate way to channel my energy and my state of mind, like art therapy. I absolutely love getting to see people’s reactions to my creations, it’s one of the many reasons that I continue creating.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think that a lot of people don’t realize the time and effort that we, as creatives/artists, put into everything we make. Being a small creative business is difficult, especially in today’s world. Our supplies and costs are so much more than the mass produced products found in big-box stores. When you buy from small businesses and artists you are supporting friends, family, and neighbors. You’re investing in something that is one of a kind and made one of a kind. So be understanding that we spend hours/days hand crafting and producing that one item they worked so hard on. When you purchase and support our small businesses you have likely made us smile and possibly even do a happy dance.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fabledraven.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/the.fabled.raven
• Facebook: facebook.com/ravenfabled

Image Credits
Amanda Keltner Alyse Grimm