We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Autumn Cosgrove a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Autumn, appreciate you joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your creative career?
I’ve learned through both teaching and as a creative that flexibility is key. As a teacher, I was presenting meaningful lessons that I put a lot of hard work into creating. However, that doesn’t always mean it would be a success with my students. Many times when we would do an activity that I was particularly excited about, it would tank and I’d have to be flexible, tweaking or changing it entirely to meet the needs of all of my students. In my creative business, I find that flexibility is equally as important. When I am building a piece of furniture using my own plans, I often come across elements that don’t work and need to be adjusted. I’ve also finished pieces and thought, “If I just added this, or changed that, I would love it even more.” Then I’ll start over! I view it as an opportunity to constantly improve!
Autumn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I grew up surrounded by creativity. My parents loved to dream, my mom had a vision and my dad could always execute it. I was inspired by my dad’s ability to build or fix anything he sees and my mom’s vision for beautiful things. When I moved into a house of my own, I wanted to make it a home in the way they always had. However, being a teacher, I needed to do those things on a budget. So, I got some hand me down tools, I watched hours of YouTube videos, and I set out to create the things I wished existed! I started small, making signs for decor or adding a frame to a builder grade mirror. But eventually I got more bold, I decided to tile our bathroom floor and the kitchen backsplash, I made and started selling sliding barn doors, I was being commissioned to build furniture! Eventually, I began sharing this DIY journey on Instagram through my page, @GroveHomeDIY and loved showing others that anyone was capable of doing these things. I have shifted into so many different things as a result of the confidence I’ve gained through learning DIY. I began selling merchandise at a local coffee shop and bakery called Alms + Fare, I created an Etsy account where I sell my graphic designs as T-Shirts, and, of course, I am still working on the DIY projects that are turning my house into a home.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I think that the most rewarding thing about getting to be creative is that I get to bring people’s ideas to life. Many times, someone has an idea that they want for a specific space in their house, or they saw a picture online and they want something similar but personalized to their needs. In creating my own furniture, art, or completing a home project, I’m bringing that vision to life for them.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I think that there has recently become a greater push for society to support small business and its great! However, I think that society prioritizes speed and ease of purchase over quality handmade goods. As a result, people are either less likely to support a small business or bringing that mentality to their purchases from a small business owner. I think that people need to realize that quality comes over quantity, and to prioritize that as a society would be monumental for small business owners in the creative realm.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @grovehomediy
- Other: https://grovecographics.etsy.com/