Meet Kathryn Drake

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathryn Drake.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I have always had a love for home decor and as a young, broke newlywed, I would design my own artwork, light fixtures, and even furniture to make our home beautiful on a budget. Ava Berry Lane was born out of a desire to share my home decor with friends and family (while staying home with my two young babies at the time) and after making my first monogram round for our front porch, the business grew exponentially. In 2016, I was featured in HGTV magazine and have had so many amazing opportunities to make custom signs for celebrities like John Colaneri and Drew Scott from HGTV and Olympic Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson.

I am a creative at heart, a fly by the seat of my pants entrepreneur, an over-sharer passionate about raw honesty and a lover of the arts and chocolate. Woodworking may be at the center but as my business has grown, I’ve realized a great love for photography, writing, marketing, and collaboration. Today, I try to be an inspirational presence on social media as well as host fast-paced shop restock sales every two weeks. In 2017, I started the Ava Berry Market also, a portion of my shop devoted to selling and sharing some of the best small business products out there. It has been such a joy to meet amazing new artists and use my platform to market their incredible talents as well.

Please tell us about your art.
My primary art is The Monogram Round. These are hangable rounds in a variety of designs, sizes, and colors, constructed from solid wood and then customized with cutout monogram letters, house numbers, and our signature hand-cut text.

I love the opportunity to create art that is personal, custom and timeless, that families can enjoy and share for years to come. The custom cutouts allow customers to choose what is most meaningful to them, to display in their home in a beautiful and unique way. All pieces are built by hand, constructed with a mix of high-quality hardwoods and character transforming reclaimed wood. Customizations are all done by hand as well with a jigsaw and hand-painted accents.

As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
I’ve experienced the quick exponential growth that every artist dreams of but the hustle created a severe lack of margin, creativity and breathing room for personal growth as well. For art as a business to be just that, customers need to be present and loyal, marketing needs to be accessible and far-reaching and brand needs to be identifiable. But, in my experience, the far and away from an essential piece for success as an artist is a confidence in your personal identity as the art maker, a commitment to the ‘why’ behind your art, and space between the heart and the hustle for true original inspiration to form and be nurtured.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Rounds can be purchased at our website but sell out quickly (usually within a few minutes of the listing time). To be informed of all future round restocks or Instagram auctions (a slower-paced way to purchase), subscribe to our email list at the bottom of our homepage. You can follow along with Kathryn’s work, heart and process on Instagram at @avaberrylane.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.avaberrylane.com
• Email: avaberrylane@gmail.com
• Instagram: @avaberrylane

Image Credit:
Kathryn Drake

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