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snew

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snew

Anoka, Minnesota

 
 

Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do:

Stacey: snew

Stacey: snew

Hello! My name is Stacey and I am the maker behind snew. I live in Anoka (Halloween Capital of the World) with my husband, son and fuzz face Petri, and create all my art right here in my basement laboratory. 

Deep down to my core I am a maker and always have been. If I am not creating I am not myself, its just who I am. I've always been called weird and I find that to be a compliment. I find joy in the strangest things and I love to make people laugh.

Let us know more about your business name - how did you come up with it?

snew sounds like a little monster which is perfectly fitting for the work that I do and it is easy to remember :) It was one of my nicknames combining my first initial and my then last name "New". The story isn't as exciting as I wish but now you know!

What is your signature style / item? How did it become so?

Creepy Cute. I love to use bright delicious colors and cute animals which tends to draw people in for a closer look and then they might notice that deer has 2 heads or that cat has a dinosaur body. I call it  'Ceramic Taxidermy"  I splice and dice everything up to make my own creatures like some magical witch. 
I also make pottery with drawings of these critters and whimsical dioramas. When people pick up a diorama mug with a little kitschy scene trapped in it forever and they say 'I've never seen anything like this!" it makes me feel good about what I do and know I have my very own style.

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What makes your business unique to the industry?

Each piece is entirely handmade so they will all be different. There is just something so special about something that was maker made vs something that was mass produced. I put a lot of work and heart into my pieces and feel like they are all unique and something to treasure. 

What's been your biggest roadblock when it comes to business and how have you been able to overcome?

Finding my people! With algorithms and such it is so hard to figure out how to find people that love my work without feeling unauthentic. I'm always thinking there has to be more people out there like me I just have to figure out how to find them. 
The most frustrating thing is navigating social media and having to do it all! Being a handmade shop doesn't only mean coming up with ideas and then making them. It is everything, designing, making, supplies, networking, marketing selling and shipping. You are solely responsible for every department. I never stop learning!

How has your business had to adapt amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic? What are you doing to navigate the situation?

Sadly with the Pandemic so many of us makers are essentially without a job with markets and shows being cancelled. Many of us are turning to online only which has its own set of challenges but can also be rewarding. It is just so uncertain, but for me I am trying to keep making and finding new platforms while waiting for this to be over and go back to in person shows.

What is your favorite part of what you do?

Meeting people in human form! I ADORE people who adopt my art. I love watching them giggle and then showing their friends. I love chatting with them about who they are buying it for and connecting with them at shows. I love getting messages about how they gave my work as a gift and how the recipient responded. The stories and friendships I have made over the years of doing this are the very best parts besides getting the chance to create what I love.

What is your *must do* local activity?

If you haven't yet go on the Anoka's ghost walking tour. Eat all the things at 201 Tavern, Get your Hair done AND shop local art at the same place at Darling Amalgamated Retail Emporium, Have a bite to eat at Betty Danger's while on the "revolving patio". Checkout original art at Gammut Gallery. Buy handmade at I Like You MPLS. Spend an afternoon browsing at Hunt & Gather. These are just a few of my favorites.

Where to find snew:

Jackalope Arts

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