Today we’d like to introduce you to Art by Samm.
Hi Samm, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Art has always been my passion. I grew up immersed in the world of it. I’d fill my summers as a kid full of classes at my local town’s art center until I was old enough to volunteer there as a classroom assistant and later become a teen docent. As a kid, I remember there was a shelf at the art center that was full of random objects, various mediums, and bins to browse and do with you as you pleased. A bin I remember in particular was called “found objects,” a treasure chest full of random one offs. I loved rummaging through all the cool kick knacks and one day, I came across this charm bracelet that looked like it’d been once well-loved. It adorned odd charms like a very detailed silverfish and a small wire heart that was a little too mendable. I think that was one of the first pieces that sort of sparked my intrigue in jewelry. That and my grammas jewelry box. Her jewelry box was so daunting somehow, yet full of beautiful things; an oasis of gems, silver and gold. We’d spend so much time together looking through all of her jewelry. I never realized how much I’d loved that until rather recently.
I started making my own jewelry around 2016, my sophomore year of college. I’m not really sure when it happened, but almost all of a sudden I had earring-colored glasses on and everything I looked at had the potential to be an earlobe decoration. The passion took off and I started my online shop on Etsy in 2018. I pop up at almost every First Friday nowadays with classic work plus new fun things. What began with purely jewelry has blossomed into a full array of work that varies from earrings and necklaces to t-shirts, art prints and paintings. That’s where Art by Samm is currently at but I’m constantly creating new things so we will see where it goes.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It’s been rather smooth but I’ve definitely gotten discouraged when sales haven’t done so well or I get “earringed out”. I feel like being consistent and present on social media is the key in today’s world but it can be hard to keep up with working a 9 to 5 or having the want to be on my phone a lot. In person events fuel my fire and the dream of one day being sufficed fully by my work pushes me nicely.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
My online shop focus is in jewelry but Art by Samm really covers whatever I create. One of my all-time favorite pieces I got to make was a commission by my drag queen love, Sugar Free, who had me make her an egg ring. It was a two-finger ring that featured a silver platter with an actual-sized clay egg that was painted to be quite realistic. I love making gorgeous wearable art but I also enjoy a good painting or sketchbook moment. I dabble in stick n poke tattoos and have a partial portfolio right on my own legs. I enjoy working with clay as well and have recently found joy in resin work. I found a love for hand painting jackets and hoodies for a bit and have recently been making hair accessories, like adorned chains to braid into your luscious locks.
I did graduate college with a degree as a graphic artist and have been passing the time working at a screen printing company, but I’m mostly known for my jewelry. I think what makes Art by Samm stand out is the boldness of each piece. A lot of my designs are one of a kind so it makes it that much more special when someone falls in love with something I’ve made because it’s almost like I made it just for them. That’s what I’m most proud of.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
That’s a good question, hmm… Perhaps if you’ve just met me, you might find my array of creativeness surprising. People tend to be quite surprised at the quality of tattoos I’ve done as stick n pokes, especially the multi-eyed portrait of my cat Compass displayed on my right shin.
Contact Info:
- Website: Artbysamm.com
- Instagram: @smyaln
