Episode 22: Choosing a Creative Life with Stephanie Hammer

Stephanie is a freelance graphic designer with a passion for all things creative. Since graduating with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2015, she’s worked for numerous businesses, bloggers, and other creatives, bringing brands and web designs to life, and has even freelanced for dream clients like Target. On weekends you can find her with her cameras, and while she loves design, her true loves in life are her family and stuffed-crust pizza. She believes that creativity is essential for living a full life and that everyone is creative - and we agree. We couldn’t wait to speak with Steph about being a work at home mom, choosing graphic design over radiology, and being married to someone just as creative as she is.

Here’s where to find Steph:

Website: https://www.behance.net/schammer

Twitter: https://twitter.com/imstephhammer

Instagram: http://instagram.com/imstephhammer

Here’s where to find Ashley:

Website: https://www.BrooksEditorial.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/brookseditorial

Instagram: http://instagram.com/brookseditorial

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/brookseditorial

Here’s where to find Abbigail:

Website: https://www.InkwellsandImages.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/abbigailekriebs

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

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

Mini Book Club:

On Being a Photographer by David Hurne and Bill Jay

Bossypants by Tina Fey

Elegantissima: The Design and Typography of Louise Fili

In Progress by Jessica Hische

Steal Like An Artist and Show Your Work by Austin Kleon

Quotes from this Episode:

“I like to think that I am more of a creative person before a person that has a specialty. It makes me feel like I can do anything.” - Steph

“I still ask Santa for art supplies.” - Steph

“I remember being so happy that I had made something and it had made me happy, and that someone else also found joy from it.” - Steph

“I just wanted to create and share with people and improve their lives.” - Steph

“It was so hard, but it was so worth it. I loved what I was doing… I remember sitting back and thinking, if I could do this for the rest of my life, I would be so set.” - Steph

“Do I love this enough to keep going? Yes. Let’s keep going.” - Steph

“It’s not always going to be rainbows and butterflies, but if it’s the thing you love doing you are going to take the good with the bad.” - Ashley

“I’m going to be 100% real with you: I don’t know.” - Steph

“I am going to be a mom, because is what I always wanted to do. And I’m going to be a designer, too, because there is no reason I can’t.” - Steph

“I am doing what I love and it gives me energy.” - Steph

“That’s when my work becomes stressful, when I try to do things while [my daughter] is there.” - Ashley

“[creative work] is as important as taking a shower, for me.” - Steph

“There’s a turning point in blogging where it goes from being a hobby to being a job and it can get really stressful.” - Ashley

“I make sure that I am always having good stuff coming in.” - Steph

“I know how I work and I know how I get my ideas.” - Steph