We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Laura Hopp a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Laura, thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My dad has always been a firm believer in the power of magic as a way to shape your own reality. I remember taking bike rides when I was little and stopping to “melt the clouds,” a process he invented that involved gazing at a cloud until, through your own willpower, it dissipated. After a while, my chosen cloud would go on its way, steadily changing form until it vanished. I now know that clouds evaporate with temperature and humidity changes, but as a child, the only explanation was that my focus caused their transformation. My dad taught me other spells too, like how to collect energy from the forest floor through my feet, as if my toes were very tiny, grateful vacuum cleaners. He showed me that fixing up the shed in our backyard wasn’t a chore but a procedure to alter its very essence into a haven-like abode.
Now, as an oracle reader, artist and social work student, I use these same visualizations in my practices. For me, giving oracle readings isn’t about helping someone see their future but a method that allows them to recognize their inherent power, their ability to melt their own clouds, so to speak. Making art gives me the space to gather and restore my energy, just as I learned to do in nature. My social work practice supports my desire to alter small corners of the world into havens of compassion and equity. My parents did a lot of things right, but the lessons I learned from my dad helped me believe in my own power, a magic I will never forget.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I work as an artist and oracle reader under the name Handmade by Hopp. I make oracle decks, ritual kits, ceramic jewelry, shrines and paintings that I sell on Etsy and at markets around Austin, TX. I first started giving oracle readings while in college but when I moved to Texas in 2017, was encouraged by my husband and sister to pursue artmaking and offering readings with more intention. This is how Handmade by Hopp came to be. Though earning an income from my business supports my creative practice, this aspect is secondary to making art for the joy of it. I’m not necessarily interested in creating a cohesive body of work but in exploring and experimenting with many art forms. I’ve also met a lot of amazing humans and talented makers in my community because of this work, which is another advantage I’ve received on this path.
As an artist, I am most proud of the way that my artwork includes the audience on a visceral level. It’s important to me that my work is engaging and can be experienced through the senses. I created a walk-in altar during an artist residency some years back where people could go in and meditate or inspect and touch items on the shelves. This was my most interactive piece yet but participating in markets and shows like EAST Austin Studio Tour also allows the community to interact with my work. I want my creations to be a method of transportation that provide both respite and fascination.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
A resource that has been so helpful in my creative journey is the Austin Creative Reuse store. It’s a gigantic warehouse filled with affordable, donated art supplies that would have otherwise been thrown away. Being there conjures up so many different ideas of things to make because I always find lots of fantastic, strange objects! The public library is another great resource for artists and really, all human beings. My library card connects to apps where I can check-out manuals, magazines and books on any topic. I’ve recently been reading how-to guides on mending clothes, witchcraft and entrepreneurship. The Austin Public Library also has great audiobooks that keep me focused while working. It’s truly a godsend!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I was recently diagnosed with ADHD, which has been really validating. In retrospect, I can see how this disorder made it harder to get things done and notice the ways in which I adapted to draw less attention to myself. While having ADHD doesn’t necessarily illustrate resilience, I do believe that making it to age 28 without this knowledge and thus, lacking needed support, is a feat within itself. Shout out to all the humans trying to reach their goals and get through the day while having a mental health disorder, disability or encountering any other painful circumstance. Persistence despite difficulty, to me, is resilience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://handmadebyhopp.wordpress.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handmadebyhopp/
- Other: Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadebyhopp
Image Credits
BFF Omaha