We recently connected with Leigh LaBrake and have shared our conversation below.

Leigh, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I have recently taken a bunch of risks in my personal life and professional life. For the longest time I was afraid of putting myself out there. I didn’t think I was good enough or worried how my work would be perceived by others. I was so afraid of failing in front of everyone, that it kept my for a long time from believing in myself or even starting. I am not sure what first pushed me over the edge to put myself out there but I started with my crochet items, which I have been making for years, so maybe I felt most comfortable and confident in them, and they were received so well. Then I started making graphic design images for myself and friends just for fun, and that let to bigger works and commissions and collaborations and things really started taking off. It has gotten easier to put myself out there and take risks and it was like once I started I couldn’t stop.

Leigh, 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 am an artist (I have had a really hard time my whole life claiming or saying that). I went to school for art, primarily photography and worked some small freelance jobs, mostly in sports photography, early on. I then became an art teacher pretty quickly after college and a lot of my art got put on hold. A few years ago I started crocheting again just for peace of mind and it became a huge stress reliever for me. I enjoy the act of making but didn’t need all the goods that I was making, I was surrounded by crocheted items. I decided to open an Etsy and try some craft fairs. Soon after that COVID hit, and during COVID, my mom (who is a talented artist in her own right) taught me how to sew. I started included sewn items in my shop and at a craft fairs. I also started dabbling in some drawing and graphic design again. I made designs for stickers initially for fun and for myself and friends. Those really took off more than I ever could have hoped. The first was titled “Community over Competition” and was all about building community in the women’s snowboard sphere. From there I have created other stickers and designs for myself. I have done a collaboration with Park Affair, a women’s snowboard group, and have some other exciting collaborations in the works as we speak. I have also gotten back in to photography which feels so amazing. I can’t wait to see what doors that opens for me in the future. I am still an art teacher, but feel even more inspired in what I do now that I have begun creating art for myself again.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think for me the biggest thing that has helped build my reputation has just been taking time to get to know people. When people approach me at a craft fair, I have a hard time pushing product, but I have a really easy time just talking and getting to know people. I think the approach of asking them how they are, how their day is going, and striking up conversation, just builds a connection of we are all just people at the end of the day. Typically it makes myself feel more comfortable, but it also builds a connection with the client often whether they purchase something or not, we have had a positive connection and they usually stay in touch be it on social media or email. I have had a lot of people that have been referred to me though this method because I have created this personal and positive connection. It also has helped a lot in my graphic design work. I have just spent a lot of time getting to know people, being positive, kind, and caring in the snowboard world and I think that has helped as well. Just being a positive and genuine person is always the path to go, but it has also helped me out on this journey as an artist and small business owner.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Honestly, I think the biggest thing that has been impactful for me has been listening to Hannah Eddy’s episode on The Bomb Hole podcast. The Bomb Hole is a podcast that interviews a variety of people in the snowboard industry. Hannah Eddy is a talented snowboarder and artist. I have appreciated Hannah’s art for awhile now and listened to her podcast at the end of December on a long car ride home and was so inspired. I loved her approach to art and putting herself out there. It really inspired me to keep creating, find my own unique style, and just keep unapologetically creating art. I still have yet to do her 100 days of art challenge but it is on my list to start this Spring.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MerMadeByHand?ref=shop_sugg_market
• Instagram: @mermadebyhand @deadleigh
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mermadebyhand1/

Image Credits
Earring photo: Emily Kish. Swing/ski lift photo: Michelle Schlanger. All other photos: Leigh LaBrake