Meet Victoria Steger

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

Victoria, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

My optimism comes from many places – but one way that I find it in my day-to-day work is by watching people rediscover parts of themselves they’d forgotten — or uncover entirely new parts they didn’t know existed. There’s something really special about the moment that someone who swears they “aren’t creative” sits down, slows down, and makes something beautiful with their own hands. It reminds me that people are not fixed. That we can change and grow, sometimes in ways that surprise ourselves.

At Forager, we’ve seen how small acts of creativity become powerful catalysts for connection — not just with materials, but with each other. I think that’s where the heart of my optimism really lives: in the shared human experience. The way people show up for each other’s art shows & classes, collaborate on new pieces, support a stranger’s vision, or gather for a fundraiser at the studio on a hot summer night — not out of obligation, but out of care.

There’s something so tender and defiant about that kind of togetherness. It reminds me that even in a world that can feel disconnected and heavy, we still choose to make, gather, and try. And that’s what keeps me hopeful. .

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

At Forager Crafts, we create spaces where people can reconnect with their creativity — even (especially!) if they don’t think of themselves as artists. We’re a women-owned craft studio, workshop space, and sustainable art supply shop located right here in Frogtown, Los Angeles, along the banks of the LA River. Our work blends art, community, and hands-on care — whether we’re hosting a workshop in our studio, building custom activations for major brands, shipping virtual kits around the country, or simply helping someone find the perfect paintbrush for their next project.

What feels most exciting to us is watching people rediscover parts of themselves they didn’t know were there. When someone sits down to weave a basket or pour a candle, they’re not just making something — they’re remembering that they can. We believe that crafting is a radical, restorative act. It builds connection — to ourselves, to each other, to the past — and that’s what keeps us going.

Sustainability is also central to our mission. We teach sewing and alterations classes as well as natural dyeing workshops to help folks reuse and repair their own clothing and textiles. We want people to feel empowered to extend the life of what they already have — and to find beauty in that process.

This fall, we’re continuing to expand our partnerships with artists and organizations we admire, and we’re bringing more large-scale activations to events and campuses across California. We’re also growing our free and low-cost community programming, including new classes for kids and seniors.

If you’re planning a gathering — a birthday, a wedding, a baby shower, a company retreat — and want to include something hands-on, joyful, and welcoming, we’d love to collaborate. We’re here to help people make beautiful things, together.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful things in my journey have been:

A deep belief in people’s creative potential

Comfort with logistics and problem-solving

The ongoing (and often difficult) work of asking for help

That first one — believing in creativity — sounds lofty, but it’s been the foundation. If you trust that people are capable of making meaningful, beautiful things with their own two hands, it changes how you build a space, how you teach, how you lead. That belief helped me take risks and keep going even when I didn’t know exactly where things were headed.

The second is much less romantic, but just as important. Behind every joyful, easeful experience at Forager is a massive amount of planning, schlepping, pivoting, checklists, and spreadsheets. Being someone who can think creatively and track the details — or is willing to figure it out — makes all the difference. Logistics are just another love language.

And the third is still a challenge for me. I have a lot of faults, and I’ve made plenty of missteps along the way. When I’m overwhelmed, I tend to try to power through things on my own instead of asking for help. But I’ve learned (am still learning) that most of what’s good in this work comes from collaboration and community. The moments when I’ve let people in, even imperfectly, have been incredibly important to building up a studio.

For folks just starting out? Let it be messy. Stay curious. Find a few people you trust and tell them your vision — even if it’s still blurry. Ask a million questions. Offer to help others. And remember: you don’t have to be perfect to begin, and you can fix almost any mistake. You just have to care enough to keep showing up.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Oh, always! Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do at Forager, and we’re constantly looking to grow our creative community. We’re especially excited to connect with:

– Artists and makers who want to teach or lead workshops
– Creative folks interested in working events with us
– Artists and designers looking to sell their work on consignment in our shop
– Organizers or community leaders who want to host fundraisers, pop-ups, or small gatherings at the studio
– Brands and teams interested in booking us for custom activations, events, or retreats
– And honestly, anyone who feels a spark from this article and isn’t even sure why just yet

If you believe in the magic of handmade things, love the idea of bringing people together through craft, or want to explore how sustainability and creativity can go hand-in-hand — we’d love to hear from you.

You can reach us through our website at www.foragercrafts.com or find us on Instagram @foragercrafts. Let’s dream something up. Let’s build something together!

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