Meet Tiffany Miller

We recently connected with Tiffany Miller and have shared our conversation below.

Tiffany, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I can’t exactly say that I’ve overcome imposter syndrome completely, rather I have learned to succeed alongside it. I believe that imposter syndrome is an inevitable part of being an artist. I first noticed it when I began my craft; I was learning new skills and wondered if I would ever improve to a point where I was confident in them. As time went on, I found that my imposter syndrome had evolved alongside my skills. I’ve repeated my creative process multiple times, yet there still is a moment of hesitation before I drill into a piece of glass. I take a deep breath and remind myself that I know what I’m doing. What I found most helpful was giving myself this time to acknowledge the self-doubt, and working through the fear anyway.

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?

As the artist and curator behind Let’s Get Thrifted, I specialize in finding vintage goods and home decor, as well as upcycling decanters to fully functional smokewares. I locally source each unique piece and display them together alongside my waterpipes in collections of “grass stations.”

I re-envision uses for these vintage goods to elevate the smoking experience- a snack plate from the 1950s is repurposed as a rolling tray, a 1970s shot glass becomes a caddy for matches, even a single vintage salt shaker can find a new life as a hemp wick holder. I believe discovering new and practical uses for these goods inspires both creativity and making sustainable choices for the environment.

Although I try my best at finding quality pieces, the condition they’re found in can vary- either by use, wear from age or lack of upkeep. The majority of my efforts go towards restoring or upcycling these goods to be loved again. Vintage decanters undergo a thorough cleaning, are drilled by hand, and fitted with downstems that I custom bend to each piece. Recently, I’ve expanded my skillset into a new realm, and have started repairing vintage lighters back to functional working conditions to be enjoyed for many more years!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Absolutely, patience. Not only with your creative process, but with yourself too. The earlier pieces I made during my first year of converting glassware had flaws that I have since learned to fix. Looking back, they remind me that I was perfecting my craft little by little with each piece. That time spent learning is invaluable, and really set the foundation for my growth today.

Open-mindedness is also key. I truly appreciate when I am given feedback from my community and customers. Everyone brings a unique perspective, and may suggest something I’ve overlooked. Even being open to revisiting my creative process gave me the opportunity to improve my work in ways that were better than I initially imagined.

Honoring connection, I think is the most important of them all. Not everyone will understand your art and reasons why you create; but to some, it will just click. It’s ideal to focus more on those connections instead of trying to appease everyone. Those moments are one of the most meaningful parts of the artistic experience.

In my opinion, the best way to develop these skills is to reflect on any setbacks along the way, and try to find the opportunity for growth within them.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I would love to connect with other creators and business who are looking for unique and timeless vintage pieces. I would love to curate decor for photoshoots or events, as well as finding opportunities within the cannabis industry. I hope to one day see my smokewares in a dispensary, or even incorporated in special events and weddings. I am always open to a conversation, and can be contacted through my Instagram or email.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @letsgetthrifted_
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits

D Coleman Photography