We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ellen Burford. Check out our conversation below.
Ellen, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Our brand is known for their heirloom quality leather goods. That means we strive to create goods that will last the test of time. We pride ourselves on selecting the best materials we can purchase and making design choices that will lead to durability. Looking pretty is great, but we want our goods to be passed down and loved for many more years!
One part of the quality that is difficult to see, is hidden in the construction. To us, stitching is one of the most important aspects in the quality and construction of our work. We choose to hand sew with a saddle stitch, a centuries old method that earned its name since it was the top choice of saddle markers.
Since saddles and tack can take a beating for decades and keep going, we know that this method of construction will pass the test of time. With a saddle stitch, we use one long piece of flat braided UV resistant thread, made from a waxed polyester (the strongest stuff we can buy). Working with at least two needles, we create an overlapping pattern of thread for the seams and every stitch line is backstitched to ensure the ends can not unravel.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I grew up on the east coast in northern New York and went to college in New York and New Hampshire. It took me about 12 years while I worked on several degrees, but I eventually graduated and immediately moved to the western part of the country. At first, I lived and worked in Yellowstone National Park and then I moved to Montana, where I have stayed since. There is something that holds me here, and I love it.
I had several jobs after college, but each one drew me farther away from art. Like so many others, Covid forced me to slow down and look at my path. It turned out that working behind a computer left me feeling unfulfilled. So I pivoted and returned to art.
I had studied art in college to be an art teacher, and with returning to my own practice, I found a new level of inspiration, drive and release. Learning to carve and form leather has been one of the most rewarding challenges.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
When I was growing up I was always exploring nature, looking for the beauty in the mundane and always painting, drawing or building something. But I was raised in the era when we were all pushed to go to college for a career. And art certainly was not viewed as a career option. After all, we were all warned following art would just lead to a life as a “starving artist”.
So I went to college, like I was expected to. I went to college to be an art teacher, but I did not have a real desire to teach at the time. Over time, my own passion for creating art dwindled as well. I went into a traditional career, but that wasn’t a good fit either.
After Covid gave me the opportunity to reevaluate what I wanted to do for a job, I was inspired to pursue art after talking to another artist. She was so supportive and gave me so much confidence to try art as a job. It has been a lot of work, but so rewarding. I know the work I’m producing now could outlive me and it’s incredibly humbling to know people choose to carry my art when there are so many options available to them in the global economy.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be to take a leap. Just try it.
We, as humans, are incredibly resilient and can recover from failure. But failing to try is the ultimate punishment. Regret later in life for failing to try, will hurt more than any failure ever could. Taking that leap into the unknown can be unsettling, but what you learn through the struggles and setbacks, will teach you so much more about yourself.
Making the leap into being a full time artist was well outside of my comfort zone. But comfort doesn’t equal fulfillment and I craved more, even if it was scary. I learned some of the lessons the hard way. I worked more hours than I ever did at other jobs. I had to learn to do so many new things, from marketing to branding. But at the end of the day, I can honestly say I grew so much from all of the experiences.
So take that leap because the future is never guaranteed. Last year I was diagnosed with skin cancer and had two surgeries on my head. It was terrifying, dealing with your mortality is always a daunting and challenging topic. But at the end of the day, I could look back and see my legacy. I am an artist. If i hadn’t taken that leap, that chapter in my life might never have happened. I’m happy to report I have been cancer free for almost a year.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
For so long we have all been taught that success looks like a stable career, a six figure income, a family and owning your own home.
While some, or all, of those might be your measure of success, it might not be for another person. We need to reevaluate how we measure success.
Success can look different for every person. The path to success is so individual. For me, I strayed for the traditional path for success and I found happiness and a level of self fulfilment that I had not found before.
I strongly believe that art and artists are a critical element to our cultural fabric. Art adds an intangible, and irreplaceable, element to our society. I believe we need artists just as much as we need doctors, accountants or mechanics. We need all of these people, but just because one gets paid more for their skills, doesn’t mean it’s more important.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Last year I was diagnosed with skin cancer and after two surgeries, I’m now cancer free, but the experience had me considering my mortality and legacy a lot.
I had to look at what I had accomplished and what I have failed to accomplish yet. It was a humbling time. What I learned about myself through that time was invaluable. I was able to see myself so much more clearly. I was able to strip away social expectations and I was able to see what really mattered to me.
I gained so much confidence in my art after going through cancer. I stopped creating art that was safe, and I started creating art that I wanted to create. I had previously created pieces that I thought would sell, but I pivoted to creating art that I wanted to create. It turns out, people really loved that work too. Expressing my art more genuinely is so much more rewarding. So if I knew that I only had 10 years left, I would release myself from other people’s expectations and allow myself to just enjoy the moments exactly how I want to. This is our only life andI intend to live it to the fullest how I want to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.windyraven.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/windyravenleather
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