We recently connected with Zena Carves and have shared our conversation below.

Zena , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

When I started Zena Carves, it all began with a simple observation: everyone loves stickers. I had been a printmaker for some time, and in the spirit of the DIY nature of printmaking, I thought, “Why not make my own stickers?” I was excited to get hands-on and started experimenting with ways to create them myself. However, after a lot of trial and error, I realized it was actually more efficient and reliable to have custom stickers made professionally. That experience taught me about balancing DIY creativity with practicality, a lesson that would guide me as my business took shape.

At the same time, I had incredible friends who supported me and shared opportunities with me. One friend mentioned that a local florist was looking to add greeting cards to their shop, which opened my eyes to the potential of expanding beyond stickers and prints to cards and other items. I began creating work specifically for different themed events, immersing myself in a variety of subjects that helped me develop a cohesive body of work and a distinct artistic voice. Every piece I created and every event I participated in pushed me to think deeper about what I wanted Zena Carves to represent.

As I kept going, I invested time and effort into understanding my style, audience, and the logistics of running a business. Step by step, Zena Carves grew from an idea into a true expression of my love for printmaking, macabre themes, and the beauty I find in the darker edges of life.

Zena , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Zena, the printmaker behind Zena Carves. I create hand-carved, hand-printed art with a unique blend of macabre and beauty, often featuring feminine, spooky, and desert-inspired themes. I started in printmaking because of its accessibility and the powerful, democratic history behind the medium. Printmaking has always been a tool for communicating ideas to a wider audience, and that tradition inspires me to make art that speaks to people on a deeper, sometimes darker level.

At Zena Carves, I offer original art prints, greeting cards, stickers, and custom pieces that embrace the eerie, the beautiful, and the parts of ourselves we don’t often see reflected in mainstream art. My clients come to me for pieces that feel personal, authentic, and maybe even a bit haunting. Whether it’s someone who resonates with the spooky or wants a connection to the Sonoran desert, my work aims to capture that space in between light and dark.

What sets my work apart is its unapologetic edge; I’m not afraid to explore themes that some may find uncomfortable. I believe in creating art that brings people closer to their own unique experiences and sense of identity. Recently, I’ve had the honor of being accepted into competitive markets and seeing the overwhelming positive response from people who connect with my work.

Ultimately, I’m most proud of the supportive community that’s grown around Zena Carves. My work doesn’t appeal to everyone, but for those who “get it,” it can feel like finding a piece of themselves they hadn’t seen before. If I had one message to share, it’s that art has room for all of us—the beautiful, the macabre, and everything in between.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

Yes, I create and manufacture most of my products myself. Printmaking is inherently hands-on, so from the start, I was involved in every part of the process—from carving the blocks to hand-printing each piece. When I first began, I had a lot to learn, especially when it came to creating high-quality, consistent prints. I experimented with different carving tools, inks, and paper types until I found the materials that brought my vision to life.

Balancing my personal preferences and curiosity in creating is also a big part of my process. Experimenting with new techniques and trying out different surfaces to print on is one of my favorite aspects of printmaking. I love the thrill of testing out something new, even if I sometimes end up with serious misses. It’s all part of discovering what resonates, and I’m often surprised by what customers connect with most.

For some products, like stickers, I learned early on that outsourcing production could help maintain durability without sacrificing detail. I spent time finding the right vendor who could faithfully reproduce my designs, allowing me to focus on the art itself. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that a mix of DIY and strategic partnerships allows me to keep my work high quality while staying true to my creative voice.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One big lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that every piece has to be “perfect” before I share it with the world. When I first started, I was really focused on creating something flawless—whether it was getting each line just right or making sure every print was identical. I felt that any imperfections were signs of failure, so I’d sometimes hold back from sharing work if it didn’t match my idea of perfect.

Over time, I realized that printmaking, like life, has its own natural variations, and it’s those small differences that make each piece unique. One experience that really opened my eyes was seeing how people responded to prints that I thought were “flawed” in some way. Often, the parts I worried about—the tiny ink inconsistencies or rougher lines—were exactly what my customers connected with. It was freeing to understand that people actually value the raw, human touch in handmade work.

Unlearning the need for perfection has allowed me to experiment more freely, which has brought new energy and authenticity to my art. Now, I embrace the process and trust that each piece has its own character, even if it isn’t flawless.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ZenaCarves.com
• Instagram: Zena_carves