Creative Session with Kelsey of She in the Making

It's the last Friday of the month, which means it's time for another Creative Session! If you missed last month's post, this is a new series where I feature a creative individual or brand I admire and interview them! For this month, I'm super excited to bring in my long time friend and amazing letterer, Kelsey of She in the Making.

We met through instagram a couple years back and she actually interviewed me to be featured in her blog (read about it here.) Since then, we've skyped, kept in touch via facebook & instagram and even got a chance to hang out at Yellow Conference! She is so sweet in person and although it was our first time meeting face to face, I instantly felt so comfortable around her. Not only is she beautiful on the outside, she has the most precious heart to motivate and encourage those around her and her optimism is truly contagious! Get to know Kelsey more and read about her creative journey :)

1. What is the meaning behind She in the Making and how did you come up with it?

When I first started blogging, it was really just for me! I have always liked the idea of having a public outlet to share my thoughts and life. In my head there was always this incredibly cool notion that somewhere, someone completely across the world could find this little space and have something that resonated with them so deeply as well. The thought that I could be connected with someone I didn’t even know somewhere I had never been in ways bigger than I could understand always prompted me to want to share about my thoughts and life.

The name She, In The Making just came to me after my Tumblr was compromised and I wanted to create a blog on a new platform. What was probably my sophomore year of college - 2011 or so? Long before becoming a business for me. It was just true to who I was and where I was at. A constant work in progress. But not to be seen in a draining exhausting way. That’s not how I saw it. I saw it in a beautiful way. That I could always be continually growing, transforming, and being renewed. Luckily, with a name like that, it's pretty easy to be befitting of me throughout all my seasons of life. It’s always fit for me.

2. When did you decide you wanted to pursue a creative career?

Sometime while working for my full-time job straight out of college, I realized that this 8-5 situation really wasn’t for me. I began feeling unfulfilled in my position, though I loved my coworkers. I would spend my lunch breaks and spare time in the evenings working on my craft - editing photos, practicing hand-lettering, blogging, whatever it may be. As time went on, I found myself asking God, “When can I quit this and truly go after what I care about?” and I found Him responding to me “What are you waiting for? I’ve already told you that you can go.” So THAT hit me heavy. I found myself wrapped up in a lot of fear of expectations and letting people down/disappointing others. But one day, I finally decided to make the step. I prayed about it (for the zillionth time), mustered up the courage (basically had God pull me up and push me off) and took the leap.

3. As a freelancer, what does your day-to-day look like? What are the pros/cons?

My days look different so often! I’m still working through the process of creating discipline - Thank God for The Finishing School & Leadership Essentials --- these two books which have/are instilling the knowledge and importance of it into me. But the opportunity to have every day look so differently, that's what I love about it. I get to take the reigns and say - this is what I need to get done today and this is what my soul needs today. How are we (meaning just me, but I obviously love talking to myself since I spend so much time alone) going to get this done? Honestly, the cons pale in comparison to anything else. When I find myself complaining about anything freelance related, I remind myself how much better and more fulfilling this is for me and it shuts me right on up. I get the opportunity to work with and meet so many amazing people who want to work with me, for me. For who I am and the values I have and the things I'm passionate about. And that is so mind blowing to me. It's amazing.

4. Besides photography and lettering, what are your hobbies?

Honestly, photography and lettering ARE my hobbies. That and eating. Whenever I need a break from either of those things, I do those SAME things. Haha but instead, I do them just for me. I’ll plan a shoot just to get my creative juices flowing. I'll try to make a dream I've had in my mind a reality. I’ll letter to worship music or blast some funky new tunes and try to come up with something new. Just for me, no pressure. No expectations. It's really beautiful and it's so good for the soul.

5. What are some of your favorite tools for lettering? Any tips for beginners?

Brush markers! Hands down my favorite. Honestly, you can use any tool that’s in front of you - sharpies, pens, crayola markers, colored pencils! But the fluidity of the brush markers is truly what makes the art form for me. It’s soothing, it’s relaxing, it’s freeing. I love it. My advice would be to try lots of different things. Hand lettering is a pretty affordable hobby! Start with a sharpie and copy paper or a sketchbook. It worked just fine for me. See what it is that makes it enjoyable for YOU. If it's stressing you out, it's not worth it.

6. What's next for you and She in the Making?

You’ll just have to keep up and find out ;)