Meet Heather Schiefer | Macrame Artist & Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heather Schiefer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heather, why did you pursue a creative career?
For as long as I can remember I’ve been a little bit of an artist. I mostly dabble and find it hard to focus on one thing for very long. During COVID, though, when we were all keeping away from other humans, I needed something to focus my mind and keep myself busy. My regular gig (graphic design) was struggling and I needed an outlet. I chose macrame because I wanted a couple of plant holders and well, it blew up from there. Soon I was selling online and since then I’ve started selling at local artisan markets and teaching macrame classes.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think the biggest thing that sets me apart is that I don’t take it too seriously. I’m not over here cranking stuff out and feeling pressured to sell it. I create pieces that I think are fun or reflect how I’m feeling. And sometimes how others are feeling if it’s a custom piece someone commissioned.

I’ve started teaching macrame this past year and that’s been exciting. I’m exploring how to marry my macrame and my belly dance with some belts and possibly other pieces. That’s going to open me up to a whole new market of consumers.

I’ve always been a gig worker. I started out in 2008 after being a 9-5 production artist for nearly ten years. I’m lucky enough to have a spouse with a full time job who supports what I do. It’s not ever easy though. I’m constantly looking for better ways to reach customers, sell my graphic design services and still be able to serve my family and myself.

I’ve learned resilience and self confidence are absolutely learned skills. Some people may be born with those virtues, but I don’t believe that most of us are. I think we humans need validation from others, whether we believe we do or not. Especially in art, we are constantly looking for the acceptance of others. I mean, it’s what eventually sells our work, isn’t it?

I want people to understand that artists have value. As a graphic designer, macrame artist, creative teacher and dancer … all of those offer something to society. Whether it’s a marketable service, joy, knowledge or a skill … I am valuable. Even without a regular 9-5 job, artists are valuable.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m such a homebody, I have no idea! Maybe out to Konichiwa for sushi and saki. There are several locations in Upstate SC. We’d have to go check out the local eateries and bars in downtown Inman, since I don’t think I’ve been to more than one of them myself. I may try and recruit them to attend a belly dance class with me and probably get in some hiking at Table Rock or one of the other awesome parks around here.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband, obviously, was the first one to support me. Then there were the friends and family that bought pieces from me early on. It helped give me the confidence to go out and be sure that what I had to offer was valuable and practical, not just pretty artwork. And then there are all of the teachers out there who freely share their knowledge and projects so that we can learn and develop our own style.

Website: https://macrameandmimosas.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macrameandmimosas/

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/heathermschiefer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/macrameandmimosas

Image Credits
All images are created by myself, Heather Marie Schiefer.