We recently connected with Amber Wedemeyer and have shared our conversation below.

Amber, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I take small risks very often instead of ‘big,’ life-changing risks. I may risk using my time, energy, and supply expenses to find that a design I made doesn’t resonate with my audience and customers. While I understand that consistency is critical, and I have an idea of what my audience would like to see from me, I still try to stay true to myself to make art that differs from what I have done before so that I may continue to grow and have fun as an artist.

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.

Hi, I’m Amber Wedemeyer! I am a creative entrepreneur based out of Detroit, and I most enjoy printmaking, painting, and playing the French Horn. I run a small business on Etsy marketplace called HolographicChickpea, selling block-printed, screen-printed, and hand-painted tee shirts, sweatshirts, and cotton tote bags.

In 2021 I began printing on shirts and bags with my artwork because I wanted to wear apparel I felt confident and unique in, and there was no better way to do that than simply making my own apparel. My designs draw inspiration from popular culture, such as cartoons, movies, fellow musicians, or albums that have positively impacted me. Other designs also focus on wildlife, the natural world, human anatomy, and abstract works. Finding a ‘balance’ between silly and serious in my artwork is necessary for me as an artist. It allows me to express myself freely without feeling bound to one specific artistic style. In an age where artistic success, especially on digital platforms, is equated with consistently monotonous work styles and working within your niche, I am thankful to have a platform, audience, and customers that allow and encourage me to be myself and create whatever my heart desires.

My small business journey started as a way for me to express myself through what I wear, but I quickly realized that other people were interested in my apparel too. My focus went from making cool things for myself to making high-quality fabric prints for friends, family, and customers. With this came the aspect of creating something special for people and making someone’s day when they receive a package in the mail from my Etsy shop. The overwhelming support, positive feedback, and customer satisfaction made me realize how life-giving it is to create unique apparel and artwork for others to enjoy.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Being an artist and having the conviction to follow your creative and entrepreneurial goals is a difficult thing to navigate within itself. Having a disability on top of that makes my journey even more challenging. I have Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a multi-systemic connective tissue disorder typically characterized by joint hypermobility or the ability to move joints beyond their normal range of motion. This results in chronic pain, joint instability, dislocations, and various other musculoskeletal complications. With this condition affecting connective tissue and connective tissue being everywhere in the body, the impact of this syndrome also shows up in many different ways that change over time.

Amid the confusion and the repetition of doctors’ appointments, physical therapy, and medical testing over the last few years while I sought a proper diagnosis, my creativity and attention to detail have expanded and become more fine-tuned. Because of the nature of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, I constantly adapt to my body in my everyday life, especially in how I create art. I have to be careful not to injure myself while I print or paint, as I am prone to rib dislocations and partial dislocations of my hips and elbows. These injuries are very painful, but fortunately, they lead me to find new, innovative, easier, and faster ways to do what I need. I believe my resilience as a person and artist with hEDS is impressive, and I plan on using my platform to inform and educate my audience about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in the future.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The rewarding part of being an artist is the therapeutic benefits of making art and music. I often feel scared, overwhelmed, and confused by my medical condition. Still, it is easy to forget or turn my fears into inspiration when making art or music. It’s very beneficial for my mental health; my mind is at ease when creating. What’s even more rewarding is when my work resonates with someone else, and I can easily connect and make new friendships with others because of it. I have been lucky enough to connect with people all over the United States because of their interest in my work and business, and that is invaluable to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HolographicChickpea
• Instagram: @holographic_chickpea
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolographicChickpea?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Tiktok: @holographicchickpea

Image Credits
N/A all image credits are my own, Images emailed to Mike Alvarez [email protected]