Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Engelkemeyer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Lauren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

A few years ago I decided to switch from making a handmade product that was my best-seller, to only offering it as a do it yourself sewing project. While the product (handmade kids toys) was selling extremely well and was supporting my business, I was burnt out with the constant demands of sewing a made to order product. This change was risky because I was targeting a totally different market and didn’t know if it would work out as I hoped. The DIY sewing items in my shop are still some of my best sellers to this day so it’s worked out in the end, but it is hard to transition into selling completely different products. I don’t necessarily want to ever stop selling these DIY items, but I do think that since I made a name for my brand in this area it’s sometimes hard to escape labels (She’s the girl who makes cute kids toys!) and evolve into what I truly want to be creating right now.

Lauren, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have a fine arts degree and was trained in graphic design. I worked as a graphic designer at Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion magazine fresh out of college. That job and the people I was able to observe through the stories we featured in the magazine really planted a seed for me to want to be more involved in art in an entrepreneurial way. Over the years following the magazine closing, I ran a business part-time in conjunction with several other full time jobs, getting my master’s degree, getting married, and having kids.

My brand, Camp Clever, started as a place for me to sell handmade goods, and evolved into what is now my full-time job. My focus and product line has changed drastically over the years, and now I’m currently working on making art for surface and product design. Surface design involves creating art, especially repeating patterns in my case, for any kind of product surface: home goods, toys, stationery, crafts, packaging, clothing; you name it. I have focused my efforts on home decor for the most part; from DIY pillow crafts, to fabric, wallpaper, pillows, and linens. I’d love to soon get into art licensing to work with brands who produce these kinds of goods as well, and I’m continuing to refine my art portfolio every day to this end.

I’m most proud of my persistence through the ups and downs of being a small business owner. My growth hasn’t been linear, and at some low points I’ve considered throwing in the towel all together to switch to a more “normal” career. (If that exists!) I’m proud of my ability to remain curious and adapt as I learn new things.

My goal with the art I design is simply to create joy and connection within a home. I want to make people feel something. That could mean happiness when seeing their favorite outdoor scenes depicted inside their own home on a daily basis, nostalgia at the way a pattern reminds them of something from their childhood, satisfaction that their home is more reflective of their style because of my art, or maybe excitement about their space functioning just as they need for their family.

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

For me it’s the lifestyle my career allows me to live with my family. I’m able to be present with my kids when they need me because I make my own schedule, and I’m able to support my husband’s demanding work schedule. I can make last minute changes as needed. I’m not tied down to a desk all day long, and I can get up and go find inspiration to create anywhere I please. I can be there for friends and family as needed. I have the space to explore other interests like fitness, finance, reading, music, and being outdoors.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Not being able to do it all is a lesson I’ve come back to a few times throughout my career! The pandemic was probably the greatest eye opener that finally drove this concept home. I had to wear so many hats at that time as the manager of our household with two little kids who needed constant assistance from me, as well as a handmade business that was thriving despite the uncertainties of the pandemic. I quite literally could no longer do it all, and I experienced quite the burnout as a result of trying to do far more than anyone should. Both of my kids are school age now, and I’ve really had the luxury recently to slow down and take my time figuring out how I want Camp Clever to look moving forward. I realized that I wanted to get back to my artistic roots to spend less time physically constructing the products I was selling, and more time making the art that can be put onto products. I first started designing repeating patterns nearly 15 years ago as part of my graduate thesis, so I am feeling like this pivot has come full circle at this point!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.campcleverco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campclever

Image Credits

Lauren Engelkemeyer
Spoonflower.com