Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sarah Gearhart. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Sarah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?
A few years ago, I ended up with a wooden pallet from a shipment that came into the store I worked at at the time. It was in fairly good condition, so instead of giving it away to a friend to add to her burn pile, I decided I wanted to use it to make something. So I got to ripping it apart, patching a couple holes, and sanding it down to the perfect smooth surface. I used the wood pieces to mess around and make my first small pallet sign, and I enjoyed it so much I decided to try a larger project. I ended up making a 2’x3′ large sign for a friend, and I loved how it turned out so I shared a picture on Facebook. Thanks to a few friends sharing the picture on their own pages, it reached tons of people, and I ended up getting my first order!
It was always in the back of my mind that I could sell what I make, but I never thought I would actually do it. Not only had I gotten my first order, but it was from someone that I didn’t even know, which made it feel even more exciting! Seeing that people enjoyed my work enough to purchase it from me gave me the confidence boost I needed to realize that maybe I could give this whole business thing a try.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I love seeing customers enjoy my products. When I’m at art markets, I get to see reactions from first time buyers as well as returners, and seeing people laugh when they read my signs, cards, and stickers makes all the work worth it. If I can make 1 person smile, then I know I’ve done my job.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Every once in a while, I will go through a creative funk, where literally nothing inspires me. No matter how hard I try to think of new ideas, no ideas come to me and it’s almost impossible for me to find the motivation to create. This happens a lot after busy times, especially after the holidays. I’ve found that trying to force myself to get some stuff done just makes my funk even worse, and sometimes the best thing to do is take a couple of days off and not think about my work for a while. It’s hard to do, but I’ve had to teach myself that it’s ok to take a break every once in a while.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gearhartdesignco.com/
- Instagram: @gearhartdesignco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gearhartdesignco