Art & Life with Candace Shiflet

Today we’d like to introduce you to Candace Shiflet.

Candace, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I started Framed in 2014 when I first got married. We were spending a few months living in my husband’s parent’s guest house and we were both in college so I didn’t have a lot of money to decorate our temporary home. I decided to make my own cute and unique decor and made my first wooden sign! I posted it on Facebook and people started asking to pay me to make them wooden signs, too! I didn’t plan to make it a business at first but the demand was high and it was a great side income for us. We were both working and I would come home on my lunch breaks and work late at night to finish orders. A few months later, I decided to quit my full-time job because Framed had proven to be a better source of income and I wanted to continue to grow my company. Fast-forward 4 years and I am still making signs full time and I love it! We now have a daughter so I work like crazy in the morning before she wakes up, during nap time, and after she goes to bed. It can be hectic at times but I love staying busy and continuing to grow my small shop!

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I make hand painted wooden signs. I purchase wood in bulk and cut down each piece to make into a sign. Then I design a stencil on my stencil software, cut out the stencil, measure it to be perfectly center, and paint the design onto the wood. I love hearing from customers how their signs have so much meaning to them and for their special occasions. I make a lot of signs for weddings and baby shower gifts and it’s always really special to hear from the customer how the sign is something they will cherish forever because of what it means to them. If you can think it, I can paint it! Quotes are really popular as well as world maps, I can do any design or quote pretty much! I am always inspired by positivity and I want my signs to be a beautiful statement in each home and to the guests that enter.

Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
I would say give yourself a starting budget and put your heart into it! I am always looking online and comparing materials. I like to keep my materials high quality but also not paying too much so I can keep my costs and my product costs down for customers. I invested maybe $250 into starting my business once I realized I wanted to make it a business. That is the best investment I have ever made! Also take advantage of social media and free advertising like that! Social media has been HUGE for growing my business!

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I have a website where you can find all my signs- http://shopframeddecor.com/ and my Instagram page is @frameddecor. If you sign up for our newsletter (I send maybe 3 emails a year, so I won’t clutter your inbox) then you get a coupon sent directly to you to use!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://shopframeddecor.com/
• Email: frameddecor@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frameddecor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frameddecor/
• Other: http://frameddecor.etsy.com/

Image Credit:
Candace Shiflet, Jason Shiflet photos

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