We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Stephen Cameron a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Stephen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I wish I had started sooner. Around seven years ago I was working in a printer parts factory, felt I had very little purpose, and had few encouraging voices around me. I felt stifled in my creativity and wanted something new, so I took a risk. I watched some videos, got some flowers, and tested my hand at floral design. Designing clicked. Something about arranging florals resonated with me. I sought out every florist I could find asking if they would take an apprentice, and after a lot of knocking a door opened. Fast forward and I wish I had leaned into it more than I did. While I found my footing in florals I explored a lot of other art forms and I worked a lot of odd jobs. I became somewhat of a jack of all trades, working in community theater, water testing, janitorial services, writing, but always designing on the side and never as the main hustle. I don’t regret working in other professions as each one lent me unique skills that I am now striving to show in my craft. It wasn’t until the past two years that I fully began to discover the passion behind the art. If I had focused on florals earlier I would have refined my skills, my designs, and my art a in very different way that makes me wonder where it would have taken me.

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?

I got into floral design by chance. I really had no inkling that this was the art form I enjoyed. In fact I was determined to be a playwright. When I was unable to make things line up for myself I broke into floral design as a way to give people I cared about thoughtful gifts and a creative outlet for myself. Over time it became a passion, and more a mission to make the same feeling accessible to everyone. Currently I do that through wedding designs, bouquets, fresh arrangements, photoshoot pieces, sculpture, workshops, and floral jewelry. I focus heavily on minute details in each taking plenty of time and care to ensure clients receive something unique and special, but also doesn’t break the bank. This shines the most in the jewelry pieces I do, which are decked out in all sorts of unique plants and textures. I generally take the same time building a full bouquet as I would getting an earring just right.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

This is something interesting that I ponder a lot because I feel that society generally values the product but not the artist or the artists time. I feel I’ve seen this in all the various art forms I’ve worked but now that I run a business it’s right in my face. We all appreciate a good painting, a good piece of music, a good performance, but as soon as a price tag comes into question the appreciation drops off.. Time and labor are valuable, but its disregarded when it comes to most working artists. I took the time I did breaking into the industry because I always had to devote energy to making ends meet. I know that is the same for many others, and while I value industriousness, I know that when the burden is lifted creativity thrives. I strive to make things affordable because I understand how limiting money can be in terms of accessibility, and I want art to be available to all. I also realize that can’t happen if artists aren’t valued The perspective around the labor artists do needs a shift so that we can pay them what they are worth.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Very simply making a moment special for someone. I love to share memorable experiences and if my gift creates one for someone else I take joy in that. I do take a lot of satisfaction in the process though. I treat design almost as a discovery and so a lot of unplanned fun additions happen. I’ll work on a project and halfway through stop to think, ‘What if I threw in a little of this?’ I often have to stop myself from getting carried away because Ill run straight through my budget adding extras.

Contact Info:

• Website: ivycapcreations.com
• Instagram: ivycapcreations
• Facebook: Ivy Cap Creations

Image Credits
Nick Pagan Bradley Nemitz