We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Pattie Shmayo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Pattie below.

Pattie, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

If I could go back in time, I would definitely wish I had started my creative career sooner, but not necessarily a lot sooner. Let me break it down for you:

When I started: I began developing my skills in drawing and design in my late 20s, around 24-25 years old. I had always been creative, but I never considered it a viable career path until then. I was working a 9-to-5 job and feeling unfulfilled. I started experimenting with drawing and designing as a hobby, and it eventually grew into a passion.

Where I was at life-wise/career-wise: At 24-25, I was still figuring out my identity and career goals. I had just finished college and was trying to navigate the real world. I was working in a corporate job, which was not fulfilling, and feeling stuck.

What would starting later or sooner have been like for me: If I had started my creative career sooner, I might have:

Had more opportunities to hone my skills and build a stronger foundation in art and design.
Had more time to experiment and explore different styles and mediums.
Been more confident in my abilities and taken more risks in my creative pursuits.
However, starting too soon might have also meant:

Rushing into a career without fully understanding the industry or market.
Struggling to make ends meet or support myself financially.
Feeling pressure to conform to certain standards or expectations within the creative industry.
What would have changed about my experience: If I had started my creative career at 18-20, I might have been more naive and less prepared for the realities of the industry. I might have struggled to balance school and work, or felt overwhelmed by the pressure to produce high-quality work.

On the other hand, starting at 26-30 allowed me to gain some stability and financial security, which gave me the freedom to focus on my craft without the added stress of making ends meet.

Looking back, do I wish I had started sooner, later, or at the same time? I’m glad I started when I did. It allowed me to gain experience, build my skills, and develop a strong foundation in my craft. Starting too soon might have been overwhelming, while starting too late might have meant missing out on opportunities.

However, if I could go back in time, I would love to give my younger self some advice: take your creativity more seriously from the beginning! Don’t be afraid to experiment, take risks, and pursue your passions. With hard work and dedication, you can turn your creativity into a fulfilling career that brings you joy and financial stability.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those who may not know me, my name is Pattie, and I am the founder of Pattie Dayz, which I established in 2017. As a multifaceted artist, I express my creativity through various mediums, from creating animated videos with beats to hand-sewing beautifully crafted garments. However, my current focus has been on two primary areas: tattoo artistry and crocheted items.

I’ve always had a deep passion for creativity in all its forms, which allows me to approach my work from a unique perspective. Tattoos enable me to engage with clients on a deeply personal level, transforming their stories and visions into lasting body art. At the same time, my love for crocheting allows me to create warm, handmade pieces that provide comfort and joy.

At Pattie Dayz, I offer custom tattoo designs alongside a variety of crocheted items, including accessories, hats, bags, home décor like blankets and pillows, and even custom teddy bears and keychains. Each piece I create is thoughtfully designed to reflect the personality and needs of my clients. Whether you’re looking for a tattoo that captures an important moment in your life or a crochet piece that adds a personal touch to your home, I take great pride in bringing your visions to life. The details are where my creativity shines, and I love translating words and ideas into beautiful, handcrafted art.

I pride myself on affordability and sustainability because I believe that amazing hand-crafted pieces should not break the bank. Everyone deserves to own something unique and meaningful, and I am committed to producing high-quality art that is accessible to all. This commitment to affordability goes hand-in-hand with my dedication to sustainable practices, ensuring that my work is not only beautiful but also responsible.

What truly sets me apart in the industry is my holistic approach to artistry and the genuine connections I build with my clients. I believe in the importance of collaboration—taking the time to listen to my clients’ ideas, understand their visions, and involve them in the creative process. This not only results in unique pieces but also fosters a sense of trust and community.

The problems I solve for my clients often revolve around their desire for meaningful, personalized creations. It’s incredibly rewarding to deliver pieces that hold significance and bring joy to those who receive them.

I take great pride in the community I’ve built through Pattie Dayz, where each client feels like family. The joy I see on their faces when they receive their finished pieces motivates me to continue pushing my boundaries and refining my craft.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that Pattie Dayz embodies creativity, connection, and a commitment to quality. Every piece I create is infused with passion and attention to detail. My mission is to transform ideas into reality, providing you with one-of-a-kind art that speaks to who you are and what you love. Whether through a custom tattoo or a cozy crochet creation, I aim to make the world a little brighter, one stitch or design at a time.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Yes, there are definitely resources I wish I had known about earlier in my creative journey. When I started, I was completely unaware of the importance of forming an LLC or understanding my rights to represent my work. No one provided guidance on the essential aspects of running a business.

My business marketing degree helped me learn how to conduct research and put in the work to establish a solid structure, but I really wished I had access to resources that would help me understand funding better. Knowing how to obtain funding, look for potential investors, and build a reliable team would have made a huge difference for me.

I’ve come to realize that it’s crucial to establish a solid foundational base for my business before diving deeply into the craft. This foundation not only protects my creative work but also fosters a healthier environment for my business to grow. If I had known about workshops, online courses, or mentorship programs that focus on business management and financing, it could have accelerated my growth and helped me navigate those early challenges more smoothly. Overall, I believe that finding the right resources and guidance can significantly impact one’s creative journey.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I have always had a social media presence, and for me, it has been much more than just a platform for sharing; it became an essential refuge. Growing up, I was very sheltered, and until my early twenties, there were numerous walls around me that shaped my reality. I often felt stifled in my ability to express myself and showcase my true identity. In that context, the internet emerged as a safe haven, a vibrant space where I could truly be myself.

As someone who has always had a passion for creativity, drawing, painting, dancing, and experimenting with fashion, I found solace in the idea that I could curate my identity online. Long before I shared my work, I had cultivated a rich inner world filled with ideas and inspiration that I yearned to express. However, externally, I often felt constrained by my environment, unable to break through those limitations.

When I began to fully embrace social media, it felt like the doors had finally opened. My online presence became the only space where I felt truly safe to share my thoughts, artistic endeavors, and personal flair. It was exhilarating to take all those ideas that had been brewing in my mind and introduce them to a world that was, in many ways, receptive and supportive. I reached out not only into my own creative depths but also into a community that craved authenticity and joy.

As I shared my drawings, paintings, and unique fashion choices, I approached it like a brand, similar to names I admired like Nike or Supreme. I asked myself how I could embody the spirit of these brands and apply those principles to my own endeavors. I wanted to cultivate a space that not only showcased my work but also invited others to join in a celebration of individuality and creativity. Gradually, this endeavor transformed into my personal mantra, “remove the mask and be yourself.”

This phrase became my liberation. It represented my journey from feeling confined to discovering my voice and claiming my space in the world. I realized that my true audience was not just my family and friends. While their support meant everything, my vision reached out to a broader community of individuals searching for the same connection I was. I wanted to reach like-minded souls who appreciated quirkiness, silliness, and the simple joy of living life fully and authentically.

As my social media presence grew, it became increasingly clear that I was building something meaningful. Beyond numbers and followers, I found a community that resonated with my vision of comfort and creativity. It was heartening to connect with others who shared the sentiment of being unafraid to express their true selves and to see how my journey inspired them to do the same.

For anyone starting their own journey on social media, my most heartfelt advice is simple: have fun and be brave. Strip away the fear of judgment and remember that the internet can be an incredibly supportive space if you approach it authentically. Engage with your audience and share your creative endeavors without restraint. Don’t get bogged down by perfection or by what might be seen as acceptable. Instead, celebrate your uniqueness and let that guide your journey.

Success will come as a natural result of your authenticity and willingness to enjoy the process. When you let your true self shine, you will attract the right audience those who appreciate you not for what you represent but for who you genuinely are. In the end, social media can be a powerful tool for connection and self-expression, a place where you can safely share the essence of yourself and find joy in the community that forms around your journey.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/Pattie_shmayo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PattieDayz/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pattieshmayo
• Other: https://zez.am/pattie__shmayo