How did you get started making home decor and what is your background in?
I went to college for architecture and I started my career as an architect. After several years in that field, I decided that it wasn’t the right fit for me creatively. In 2011, I decided to list some of my acrylic paintings on Etsy. I’d always painted as a hobby, but up until that point had never attempted to sell anything. I was selling mostly to family and friends in the beginning, but was obsessed and energized about creating a business around my creative passions. Eventually, I figured out how to have my artwork printed onto fabric and started experimenting with different textile products.
I continued to work as an architect over the years, at first full time and then gradually scaling back my day job hours. Finally, I was able to fully transition to running my design business full time.
I love creating useful products with bright patterns and color palettes, so the progression into home decor textiles and utilitarian accessories has been a natural one. I also have this insane drive to express and encourage happiness through my work. I always think of my designs as a vacation for the mind.
Your line is so bright and cheerful. All of your patterns bring a smile to my face. Where do you draw inspiration from to create such a fun and happy line?
I always start new work with a color palette in mind. I draw a lot of inspiration from nature, especially tropical plants and colors. Most of my paintings begin as mark-making experiments. I like to let things evolve organically and continue to develop the parts that feel “right” until I have a final composition that I am happy with. It’s a very intuitive process for me. I’ve learned over the years to not try to force it.
I love following you on Instagram because you are always prototyping new items. What direction do you see the Casey D Sibley line going in?
I’m very focused on building a more robust home decor textiles line. I’d eventually love to offer bedding, rugs and kitchen textiles. I’m constantly researching how to make that happen and maintain a high quality in the products, so stay tuned!
In the same vein, another reason why you are so much fun to follow on social media is because you use your products in the most creative ways. I am obsessed with how you place glass jars or pots into a bucket to make it into a planter. Any other styling tips for your buckets?
The buckets are great for bathroom storage (towels, toilet paper) and baby room storage (changing station organization!). I use the smaller ones for sewing supply storage and a bunch of other uses to catch small items around the studio. There are several sizes and they all offer versatile storage options for things you want to keep out in the open but stylishly stored. Many people use my small buckets for their makeup too.
What is the best part about running your own business? Why do you believe in the handmade movement?
The best part about running my own business is the freedom I have, both creatively and schedule-wise. When I worked for someone else, I dreaded the times when things would slow down and I had to sit in an office cubicle. I wanted to be productive and efficient with my time...and I would get so BORED! I love waking up every day and having the choice to do what I do. I can start my day at 6 a.m. and finish at 3 p.m. if I feel like it. Or I can end my day early when I’m not as busy...or take the day off (because I wholeheartedly believe in working hard AND taking breaks to live life). I also love having full creative control over my work--I never really liked having to ask for permission :)
The handmade movement has been great! It has provided a certain amount of permission for a lot of people to give business ownership a shot. It has also fostered this massive awareness about how the things we use every day are made. We have so much access to information these days, and it’s made me way more conscious about the products I make and their impact on the world, as well as the products I buy for myself. I also find it fascinating that our economy is starting to shift to more of a focus on doing fulfilling work--debunking the idea that we should all take a very predictable career path and work just to make a paycheck.
And last words or thoughts that you want to share with others?
“Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.”
It’s so easy to daydream and research endlessly, but at some point you have to take a leap of faith and put yourself out there, or give up the security of the familiar. You WILL figure it out, just start. Even if you don’t think you know everything you need to know yet, just START!
