Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney DeBerry.
Hi Courtney, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Four years ago, I had my son and left my corporate job to stay home with him. I loved every second of being home with him 24/7 but I felt that I needed a way to express my creative side. I had a friend who opened a florist shop and was looking to have a few vendors to help with her income. She reached out and took a chance on me and my signs which ultimately launched my business. I was making custom door hangers, charcuterie board trays, and a few wall signs all with my hand-painted calligraphy. I stayed on the hand-painted calligraphy path for about two years and knew I wanted to take my designs to the next level.
I had been following another maker on Instagram for some time and she used a scroll saw to make 3D wood art. I fell in LOVE with the idea and purchased a scroll saw the very next week. It took quite some time and lots and lots of practice to feel comfortable cutting on the saw. Once I was able to feel comfortable doing this, I started selling 3D signs. This gave me an opportunity to make custom nursery signs too. I learned how to use so many different tools with the help of my mom and dad. I am now making custom nursery signs, business logos, and true ART! Cutting, shaping, and painting florals have become my favorite and I love getting a custom order for a floral sign. I still have so much to learn but I truly appreciate and get so excited with every order that comes through.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t say it has been a smooth road. Is anything smooth when you are just starting out and learning a new craft?
Learning how to run a business, how to use power tools, and how to cut the lettering out free-handed on a scroll saw, all these things took time. My first cut was definitely NOT perfect.
It was jagged and broken but that didn’t stop me. I kept practicing, I used the maker community to ask questions and to learn from people who had been doing this longer than me. I eventually got to where people were requesting items from me. They would share their ideas and I would come up with a way to make it happen. I am still learning new tricks, an easier way to do something, how to use a new type of wood, or how to incorporate a new design element.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Chasing Dawson Designs is a 3D wood art business. I hand-cut each piece of wood on my scroll saw. I then hand sand or shape the piece and paint it. I specialize in custom nursery signs and business logo signs. I love a challenging piece. I am most proud of every new thing I have learned along the way.
The maker’s life isn’t for everyone. It isn’t a high-paying job but it allows me to do something I love while being able to contribute to my family. I believe what sets me apart from others is my attention to detail and the personalization you get from dealing with a small business. My customers aren’t just customers to me. They become lifelong friends and I am so grateful for each and every one of them.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe that my will to learn new things and my realness is extremely important to my success.
I may not know everything but I will always do my best and give 110% to learn whatever needs to be done to make a sign into ART. I make sure that the detail on each and every piece is perfected and exactly what you are wanting.
This is one of the perks of shopping for small businesses instead of mass-produced items.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chasingdawsondesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingdawsondesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chasingdawsondesigns
