We were lucky to catch up with Laura Stamper recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Laura, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
It’s still a process. I look at the many talented art jewelers out there and I am humbled by their creativity and brilliance. When I was still doing shows, I would get anxious before each show started, thinking, “what if I get there and they realize I am not good enough to be here?” I was both honored and embarrassed when I would will awards., thinking both “Thanks and really?”. Then one day, a jewelry artist that I really admire told me, “I absolutely love your work. No one does you like you! I have followed you for years and it’s such a joy to finally meet you.” I was beyond stunned, but then it made sense. No one does me like me. I have rather avoided chasing trends, staying true to my own voice and making what the muse leads me to.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I create one-of-a-kind art jewelry pieces that are treasured today and are heirlooms for tomorrow. My background in art is representational painting and I apply these skills in my jewelry designs. My love for nature and the wonder of the universe are constant inspiration for me. My jewelry concepts and my techniques are constantly evolving. My work can be found at Tres Leches Gallery, in Minneapolis, The Grand Hand, in St Paul and online at Artful Home. When not creating unique designs, I teach metalsmithing and jewelry arts workshops nationwide and online with Virtually Ever Crafting.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
3 things that I find most important as an artist and an instructor are:
1. Find your own voice and be true to yourself.
2. Never stop learning.
3. Give yourself permission to make mistakes. There are many failures on the road to success.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
The most present and ongoing challenge I face as a maker, is finding the time and resources to take care of the business end of business. Creating and teaching are the fun and easy things that I get to do. Marketing, website development, social media, travel plans, bookkeeping and a dozen or so other business related tasks are the entrepreneurial responsibilities that can sometimes overwhelm and are also the responsibilities that feel like chores. So how do I do it all? Well in all honesty, sometimes I flounder. I have taken some instructional courses and am currently looking for ways to outsource some of these obligations . It helps to set aside a certain amount of time a week, where this is all that I focus on. I do it the same way you eat an elephant, one bite at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laurastamper.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurastamperdesigns
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurastamperdesigns
Image Credits
Cole Images 4-7
