We had the good fortune of connecting with Melanie Mohr and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melanie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As a creative person who has always worked in entertainment, I got to a point in my life where I felt that I needed something that was just for me. I tried several forms of art as a hobby and nothing fit. I found creating with wood and it was a feeling of ‘yes!”. After giving all my friends and family so many of my pieces I realized that if I wanted to continue making, I was going to have to start selling. Not only to help pay for my tools and materials but to not just shove my creations in a closet and forget about them. I still have my full time job, but being able to make art my way and have people appreciate it on a personal level is amazing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I make all sorts of stuff out of wood. All handcrafted. I don’t use laser cutters or CNC routers or anything automated. Because my art is based on my own expression and trying new things, my creations are all over the map. One day I will be working on my version of a movie poster or wall clock. The next day I might start a chopping block, bowl, spoons or even a chess set.

I wouldn’t classify myself as a business owner per se. I just sell my art occasionally to help cover the cost of my tools and materials. I do this for my own sanity as opposed to profit. Happily when I first started selling I was able to fall in with an amazing group of creatives that were very encouraging and helpful. Martina at MY Creative Outlet had some great tips for me that really got me on my way.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom was an amazing artist who painted landscapes with oils. She had this incredible talent (very different from mine) that people absolutely loved. She had MS and used art as therapy to keep herself viable and not fall into depression. Through her I learned that I could just make what I want to fulfill myself. I am a big believer that art can be a life saver.

My spouse saw how happy creating made me and encouraged me to begin selling my art in order to share it with others. (And to keep it from piling up in the house.)

Instagram: @melanie_made_this

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@melanie_made_this

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