We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hayley Finch. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hayley below.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Absolutely. My name is Hayley Finch, and I am the head writer behind the Hayley Finch Studio shop on Etsy. The shop sells Custom Poetry that is tailored to the reader, and tells the stories of every day people.
I’ve been writing this way for years. Growing up I made Christmas ornaments with a custom poem on them as gifts. Later on, I would text friends back screenshots of a poem I had written at that exact moment because our text conversation had inspired me in real time. So I like to meet people where they are at with poetry.
The process for a Custom Poem gift is pretty straightforward: purchase a poem though Etsy, and then you will be sent a message to schedule a Zoom meeting. This video conversation gives me a chance to learn more about your story. Who am I writing for? Has anything changed or shifted in life recently? What are those specific, zoomed-in details that show what is meaningful?
I take each of those details, textures, and even direct quotes to create a piece that has an arc to it. It takes prayer and precision, and then this piece is hand typed on my electronic typewriter.
The result is a cream, thick paper with your story printed in typewritten letters. I also include a hand-drawn stamp in the corner. It’s a great chance to gift yourself or someone you know with the chance to see their story in words.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
After recognizing that I could write for family and friends, I wanted to see if I could write meaningfully for people I hadn’t met.
I set up my first Custom Poetry pop-up steetside at an Art Walk, and wrote poems until I was writing under a streetlight for anyone who would come sit across from me at the table. The poems were handwritten, and I was managing to write multiple poems at one time! People would come up, have a conversation, and I would take notes about their answers to questions. After payment, I told them I would start writing and they could come back in a few minutes for their piece.
I liked that challenge of writing on the spot, and seeing the reactions as I read them their poems. Before saying goodbye I asked them to hold the poem in their hands so I could take a picture of it over the tablecloth.
They still keep their identity confidential, but there is something moving about seeing the hands that are taking the poetry home. I am able to write meaningfully because people are open and honest.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I love the rhythm of creating alongside the life I’m living. It captures quick interactions, textures, and exact moments that I would otherwise forget. I have a long history of documenting these things, and the words feel like someone holding my hand as I create the different chapters of my life-story.
My hope is to share that same evergreen feeling with people who can cherish their own poems.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HayleyFinchStudio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayley.finch.studio/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayley-finch-a762ab102/
Image Credits
The CoAuthorative Co. https://www.instagram.com/coauthco/