We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anka Snider a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Anka, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
From as early as I can remember, I knew I would contribute to the world creatively. Growing up, I was surrounded by siblings who excelled in math and science—the quintessential left-brained thinkers—while I found myself thriving in an entirely different space. I was a good student but often struggled with math and reading comprehension, spending countless hours with tutors. Despite those challenges, I never stopped loving the process of learning. It’s ironic, in hindsight, that I earned my MFA—an achievement that feels worlds apart from the struggles of the girl who couldn’t make sense of word problems in grade school. However, I made up for what I lacked in those areas with creativity, which came as naturally as breathing.
I spent evenings and weekends completely immersed in my own little world of crafting. Anything I could get my hands on—whether it was pop tabs, beads, or household odds and ends—would be transformed into something new. By age 10, I was selling “Pop Tab Bracelets” to neighbors and classmates. I’d make friendship bracelets for my teammates and organize craft activities during soccer tournaments. My dad built me a massive desk with perfect lighting to fuel my growing creative energy. That desk became my sanctuary, where ideas came to life, and my love for making things flourished.
By high school, I was staying up far too late painting and creating jewelry, though I was too shy at the time to share my work. Eventually, I became more confident in my abilities and found opportunities to showcase them. I painted six murals for dances and community events; one still hangs at my high school today. Seeing my art become part of someone else’s story was life-changing. I realized then that my creations could transport people, inspire them, and bring joy—and that feeling was thrilling.
At home, my creative foundation was built on two strong influences. My dad, who loved hands-on projects, taught me how to renovate spaces and think like an interior architect—how good design isn’t just about aesthetics but about making a space more functional, more inviting, and more alive. On the other hand, my mom showed me the magic of self-expression through jewelry. Between the two of them, I grew up with a deep appreciation for both structure and artistry and when it came time for college, interior design seemed like the perfect blend of both.
I was accepted into Iowa State’s prestigious Interior Design program, one of the top in the country. It was rigorous and competitive—over 200 students applied, and only 65 were accepted. I was one of them. But just nine weeks into my freshman year, my world changed forever. My dad died by suicide, and with him, my dream of becoming an interior designer faded.
Grief made everything feel uncertain, but I kept moving forward. I still loved every moment of my undergraduate education, but something was missing. I no longer saw a clear path ahead of me. I knew I wanted to contribute creatively, but I had no idea what that looked like anymore. So, I did what I always did best—I experimented.
During my time at Iowa State, I explored every creative avenue I could find. I worked as an art teacher, a gallery assistant, a municipal city employee, a gardener, a graphic designer, a director of communications, a teaching assistant, and an interior design intern. I dove into set design, leading a team for three student-run fashion shows. I took as many studio classes as I could fit into my schedule, determined to soak up every bit of knowledge. The more I learned, the clearer it became—I didn’t have just one passion. I loved creating in every form it could take. But how do you choose just one path when you love it all?
I dreamed of leaving my hometown, and it was the most eye-opening experience. While my family is my rock, I didn’t have a strong creative support system growing up. But in college, doors opened that I didn’t even know existed. The people I met became my biggest cheerleaders, and their encouragement gave me the confidence to push myself further.
After earning my BFA, I jumped straight into my MFA program, determined to complete the three-year program in just two years—something that had only been done once before. That summer, I worked as a gardener, giving me plenty of evening free time. One day, on a whim, I decided to buy some jewelry supplies. I made about 20 pairs of simple earrings, started an Instagram page, and just went for it—without telling anyone. I smile, thinking about that now. I had no grand plan, no strategy. I just took a leap. And looking back, that fearless start was what kept me going.
Grad school was a whirlwind of constant work, meeting new people, and creative breakthroughs. My business was barely a side hustle at the time, but I kept it alive in small ways, like selling jewelry at campus pop-ups. Then, during a 3D modeling class, I realized I’d never actually use 3D modeling in my future career. So, I asked my professor if I could design a line of laser-cut acrylic earrings instead. He immediately said yes. That moment changed everything.
I ended up creating over 200 pairs of one-of-a-kind earrings, each completely unique. It was the first time I saw a real connection between my fine art skills and my design background. I still didn’t know exactly where I was headed, but I could feel myself getting closer.
In my second year of grad school and my sixth year at Iowa State, I wanted to go out on a high note. I completed my first grant-funded project—an acrylic, light-reactive sculpture. I co-directed and helped create two set designs for The Fashion Show. And my thesis project? That remains my all-time favorite. I created an interactive art exhibit focused on rediscovering play as an adult through art and color. The installation featured six interactive stations and five non-interactive ones, inviting visitors to engage with creativity in a hands-on way.
Opening night was everything I had dreamed of. The gallery was filled with people from every chapter of my life—friends, mentors, classmates, and my family, all gathered to experience something I had created. Seeing them interact with my work and light up with joy and curiosity was a feeling I never wanted to end.
That May, I graduated, having successfully completed my MFA in two years. I was proud. But for the first time in six years, I had no idea what came next. I applied to jobs here and there, but I poured most of my energy into my business. And suddenly, all those years of experimenting and seemingly disconnected skills started to make sense.
I built my own website using what I had learned in UX/UI design classes. I crafted my own display setups using my knowledge from wood shop and set design. I knew how to properly install and deliver my art thanks to my gallery experience. I understood social media marketing because of my role as a Director of Communications. Every piece of my journey had been leading me to this moment. I had unknowingly built the perfect foundation for running my own business.
I used to think I had no dreams, but I realize now—I dream of doing everything. And right now, running my business is exactly where I need to be. I can finally see tangible growth, and that’s an incredibly exciting feeling.
Long term, I know I want to be a design professor. I want to be the kind of mentor who helps young creatives find their own paths, just like so many people helped me.
Looking back, I don’t think I could have sped up the learning process, but I do wish I had been more confident along the way. I spent so much of my young life grieving my dad and feeling lost that I often forgot to celebrate my wins. But life is about momentum—if you don’t take the time to recognize how far you’ve come, it’s hard to keep moving forward.
What are the most essential skills for a creative career? Patience, confidence, values, a growth mindset, and a love for life. Without them, creativity can feel hollow. My motto is simple: Life Inspires Art. My art suffers when I neglect life and don’t prioritize new experiences and friendships.
At the end of the day, the biggest obstacle to learning more has always been myself. I crave knowledge, but I can also get so caught up in the outcome that I forget to enjoy the process. And, of course, time, money, and space are always factors.
If I can leave you with one thing, it’s this: Never stop creating because nothing is lost when you create art, and let your life inspire your art—whatever your art may be.
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.
How did I get into the industry?
Creating has always been a part of who I am. There was never a question of if I would contribute to the world creatively—only how. I’ve dreamed of being a designer, business owner, fine artist, set designer, and professor. Realizing I couldn’t do it all at once, I built my own business—allowing me to wear many hats and bring each of these passions to life.
What type of products do I provide?
I create one-of-a-kind earrings, necklaces, paintings, crochet pieces, and custom sweatshirts. I also offer freelance design services and plan to grow my freelance work over the next year to become fully self-employed. What sets my business apart is my commitment to uniqueness—every piece is one of a kind. In a world driven by mass production and fast fashion, I want my customers to own something truly special, something that will never be recreated.
What am I most proud of?
I’m most proud of the community and support system I’ve built around my business. The encouragement from my in-person friends and online followers has been incredible, and I’m deeply grateful for them. I’m also proud of my resilience—pushing through the loss of a parent and the challenges of COVID-19 during my undergraduate years, then creating my entire thesis interactive exhibit in just six months. And from that I became only the second person in my MFA program’s history to graduate in two years, and within weeks of graduating, I took the leap and launched my business full-time.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
For the past year, both in my life and my business, my mission has been simple: Life Inspires Art. I can’t stress this enough. I spent years pouring everything into my work, only to face burnout and frustration from time to time—the well I was drawing from would run dry. But the moment I allowed myself to live—having deep conversations with friends, reading a book, watching a movie without distraction, going for a run—I found inspiration flowing naturally again. This idea of playing was at the heart of my thesis exhibit and research, exploring how creativity thrives when we embrace joy and curiosity.
My goal is to create art that flows through my life rather than letting it dictate my life. More than that, I want to teach others how to do the same. I practice this whenever I can—whether in person, on social media, or through my blog. But I believe the real impact will come when I launch my art-related podcast in 2025, where I’ll dive even deeper into this philosophy and help others reconnect with their creativity.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I spent six years on my own in college, determined to never move back to my hometown. To me, it was a place tied to loss—the place where my dad passed—and a place where I had no creative community. Moving back felt like taking 25 steps backward, and I was stubborn about it. I convinced myself that returning would mean undoing all the self-growth I had worked so hard for.
But life had other plans. Moving back was both an unfortunate and fortunate turn—because it was exactly what I needed to truly launch my business. The first few months were slow, with only my close friends engaging with my posts (and I have to say, their unwavering support makes my heart so full). I put myself out there, attending markets, speaking at events, and celebrating every small win, no matter how insignificant it seemed. I refused to let discouragement take over. Every morning, I remind myself—I’m excited to share my art with the world. And I mean it.
Being back home has given me the time and space to grow in ways I never imagined. I’ve landed artist collaborations, won awards, grown my following online, completed countless commissions, and even secured a part-time design job. Putting myself out there has also helped me build a confidence I never had before. I won’t pretend that I love living here—it was a difficult and painful transition—but I’ve made peace with it. I’ve accepted that sometimes, growth happens in the places we least expect. But I won’t be here much longer—the world is calling, and I’m ready to answer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ankasnider.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anka.snider.art/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anka-snider-826122164/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ankasniderart
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@anka.snider.art?lang=en
