Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharna Christensen Brumfield.
Hi Sharna , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Back in 2018 I was working as a massage therapist and I got very ill and was out sick. The spa I worked at let me go. At the time I was the bread winner in my home taking care of my mum who had gone through cancer and my husband who had lost his job. I needed to figure out a way to supplement my income. I had always been big in to various forms of arts and crafts. My mum was a big jewelry fanatic. So I started doing hand crafts and home made jewelry. Then the pandemic hit and I was home even more. So I started experimenting with various mediums, paint , resin , wire wrapping and what have you. I created an Etsy store and a Facebook and instagram promoting my work. My husband and I are big movie buffs and so a lot of my work was inspired by different fandoms . So Fancy Fandom design was born. I had shows at my home and then later started doing craft shows around the Katy , Houston , Galveston area. I have really worked hard at learning new techniques and appealing to all ages. I have a lot of home decor , jewelry and decorative pieces. I recently started experimenting with small resin tables. The work gives me a creative outlet and helps with my over thinking brain. It also was a way for me to deal with my grief after my mum passed. I’m still a small business but expanding my repertoire all the time and different avenues of sale. I registered my business name and have a beautiful logo my husband helped me create. I am still small but growing. I love expressing my self through creative endeavors especially being a former theatre major. My dream is to one day have a art show that is well received and perhaps a small store front somewhere.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like any artist and business endeavor you always make mistakes. I had to learn new techniques to keep up the quality of my work. The pandemic hit and I had to do sales from home and rely on online advertising and marketing. Learning the ins and outs of social media was a lot. The economy also affected sales as people are being more careful with spending. If it’s not a necessity they are hesitant to buy. The other thing I had to learn was to believe in my hard work and skills because of the time effort and love I had put in. I had to learn to have faith in my work and pricing because people would question the cost of my pieces not knowing the time and cost involved.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When I first started I was doing florals and wreaths , wedding bouquets and table decorations. There was an ebb and flow to sales. Then the products I used become harder to find so I started doing resin work. First it was small pieces and jewelry. Then I graduated to big art pieces , vases , chess sets , jars and more intricate jewelry. My jewelry and precious stone topped jars and geode art has become my most popular. My most recent endeavors were two small resin side tables. I was very proud of how they turned out. One is a Koy pond and one is an Ocean scene. They have brought a lot of conversation and interested people to my shows and I look forward to making more.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I love creating and for a long time I didn’t do it because I worked so much and took care of my mum. She was such a big part of why I started doing it and was so supportive. I love making beautiful uniqe things that are conversation pieces that people can have in their homes or wear. My biggest motivation and support has been my family my mum and my husband. There belief in me and support help me push through self doubt to keep going.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @fancyfandomdesign
- Facebook: Fancy fandom design
Image Credits
All photos are taken by me
