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

Taryn , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

There is no such thing as a perfect childhood, but there are moments that build the foundation for the future human you will be. I am grateful for the lessons my parents have taught me. As I look back on my childhood with an “adult” perspective. I see how hard my parents worked to provide for my brother and I. I remember getting picked up after school or summer art camp and having to go with my mom to paint apartments. She would work all day, make it to the band concert or school play and then work all night. Laundry at 1 A.M. , Grocery store at 3 A.M. Wake up at 6 A.M. and repeat the routine all over again. You sacrifice a lot when you love someone or something. You also have to work your ass off to reach your goals in this life. Nothing worth while is handed to you in the world. You have to be the one to pave the way for what you want in this life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My mom started teaching me to sew around 10 years old. Sewing is a skill that requires lots of patience and practice. I’m by no means a master seamstress but I’ve learned a trick or two over my years. I first started utilizing my sewing skills for personal use or for close friends. Once I adopted my pup Lucy, I wanted to be able to dress and style her. I always loved the look of bandanas on animals but I didn’t feel so great tying a knot around my furbaby’s neck. So I decided to make my own style of bandanas. I source local and repurposed textiles and create bandanas with hook & eye closures. You simply have to snap the bandana around your fur babies neck. No knot necessary. Not to mention I find really stellar vintage textiles to cut up and give a new life.

I’ve recently expanded into the bow tie market and have plans to create a winter collection that encompasses matching fur baby and human accessories. I chose the name The Taryn Project because that’s how I view life as a constant project in process. You never know what you’re gonna get, especially from me. Stay tuned.

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

I feel the most rewarded as a maker when a customer walks into my booth and smiles at all the colorful textiles flowing in the wind and selects the perfect match for their furbaby. The even better part is when a fur baby can try on their new bandana or bow ties and we have a photo shoot and treat right there in my booth. Doggy smiles and puppy kisses make the world a better place.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Setting up a booth and putting out your work for the public to interact with makes one feel completely vulnerable. You’re putting apart of yourself out there for other humans to enjoy. So when said humans walk into your booth and completely demise your work and make horrendous comments. It feels really shitty. I don’t know when we lost the notion if you have nothing nice to say, keep it to yourself as a society.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thetarynproject.com
• Instagram: @thetarynproject
• Facebook: The Taryn Project
• Other: email: [email protected]

Image Credits
I have permission to use all of my images.