Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Thrasher.
Hi samantha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story begins with a deep longing for something more. My childhood was filled with arts and crafts as many of ours were. As I grew up, I was taught to get a good job and make money, which did not involve my dreams to be an artist or designer. I began my career as an Admin Assistant and enjoyed that for many years. I followed that path for years until one day the longing for something more began eating away at me. I loved my career as an Admin Professional, and I had been successful in growing and evolving my role, however, I knew there was something more for me.
I still wanted to serve others with my Admin Profession, but I also wanted to build something for myself that felt like joy, and play. At heart I have always been an artist and I knew I needed to pursue something creative to feel truly proud and fulfilled. For months I was trying to think of what I could do. What I could do to be creative, serve others and be totally myself and authentic. I remembered I refinished a few pieces of furniture and really enjoyed that. My painted pieces brought me so much joy because they were unique and different, and I knew others could benefit from that same feeling! I didn’t like the idea of having the same table or cabinet as someone else because we both bought it from the same big box store. I always wanted to be unique. Something we use every day can have such an impact on us when it’s beautiful and inspiring. I decided I wanted to paint furniture and offer pieces I paint for sale.
In 2018, I decided I would make time for improving my mindset, self-development, and doing one small thing towards my creative goal each day. I watched hundreds of videos on how to start a business, how to be an artist, how to prep and paint furniture, etc. I was posting on social media; I joined an art group that taught me many things about running a business and how to refinish furniture. I opened an Esty shop and that gave me the drive to fill my store with as many beautiful pieces as I could. I finally had a place to showcase my work. I was sourcing furniture from thrift stores and gifted items by family and friends. I was living my dream, and I sold many pieces from my Etsy shop.
In 2024 I began popping up at local markets to promote and brand my business further and be a part of my local community. I knew I needed smaller pieces for transporting to markets so I started handcrafting earrings with the same meaning behind them, creating something beautiful, unique to bring you joy every day. My jewelry is creative, bold and feminine.
This business has been the perfect balance to my admin profession and allows me to be both structured and creative. My life feels full of purpose and love, and I am so happy I took a chance on myself and my passion for creating.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The path has not always been smooth, but my desire to feel joy and balance in life was stronger than quitting. I will say when there is something you are deeply passionate about; you will do hard things without question. I have always felt this deep knowing that I was meant to be unique and do something special with my life. If you have a big reason why and this deep knowing you will go far.
First, I had to get my mindset in check. I needed to make sure I had a positive outlook on life in general. I understood I had to invest in myself so that when problems arose, or when someone doubted me, I would be equipped with the tools to push through and stay on course. Starting your own business, especially in the creative world, takes courage and I had to prepare myself for that. I also knew I had to have a mission and get clear on what my goals were. This was a learning curve I worked hard at upfront. Not knowing why you want something makes it easy to quit.
Anytime a challenge came up, I did research, asked people for help, learned a new skill and understood I would not be good at everything all the time. I knew failing at something meant I was gaining more experience and knowledge, so I didn’t let it stop me. Some of the most successful people are successful because they didn’t quit.
Some initial obstacles were creating pieces that were professional and worth the price I was offering. Creating the pieces was the easy part, however, making sure they were durable, completed in a timely manner and the best I could do, was another learning curve. Would a stranger approve and would this be something that could be displayed in a store? I had to learn to be professional with my craft, use quality materials and be confident in the finished product.
I also had to learn about shipping my items. I had large pieces of furniture and shipping was very expensive. I reached out to my mentors in my art group and did my own research. This was something that could have held me back from selling online, but I didn’t let that stop me. I knew others were doing it, and I could too.
The main thing was I didn’t let the fear of the unknown stop me. I just started and let each challenge present itself along the way and figured it out as I went. Don’t overthink it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I hand paint furniture, interiors, and home decor. I also handcraft earrings and hand sew bag charms.
I am known for using bold color combinations, drippy gold and a vintage style. I create pieces that spark joy and inspire you to be unique and luxurious.
I am so proud of creating my own style and staying true to my goal, which is to bring you joy through your everyday items.
I think what sets me apart is my mission. I am here to make you smile, to help you remember there is more to life than just the average routine and things we own. I am not trying to sell you more stuff you don’t need. I am trying to help you reshape your thoughts, to dream a little, to focus on something beautiful and rewrite your story. I want to help you create a home you love, wear jewelry that makes you feel special and remember we get to create our own story.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I feel like the industry of refinishing furniture will always remain. This calls to a specific crowd, which are people who appreciate antiques, they love ornate furniture, they care about being sustainable and also walk their own path. There will always be room to reinvent something old. I think trends in furniture will change but that is not something I follow in my own business. I follow whatever my heart is being pulled towards. When my products begin to take on a new look it is because I myself have shifted. I create from the heart and there will always be people out there who feel the same and my pieces are made for us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://missthrasher1985.wixsite.com/decorating-the-shack
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshack85/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theshack85
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@decoratingtheshack
