Daily Inspiration: Meet Stephanie Hathaway

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Hathaway.

Hi Stephanie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
We are a homeschooling family, and as an artist, I was inspired to create beautiful, secular educational resources that focus on the science and nature we see in our everyday lives. Much of my work focuses on the nature you might find in your backyard or on a walk through the neighborhood. I sell the resources I create through my website, Etsy, and wholesale to other retailers. My little business has taken off in the last few years, and we are now at a place where my husband, Ben, works with me full-time. We are always creating something new and working to expand the business. I wrote a book with two of my friends and long-time collaborators that is due to release soon!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been fairly smooth?
Looking back to my childhood, I loved art and was constantly creating. As an adult, a lot stayed the same. I tried my hand at several creative outlets and made a living as an artist. Still, business took off once I started creating nature studies and educational resources geared toward homeschoolers. I found my niche! As an artist, putting yourself out there and sharing your work can be nerve-wracking. Plus, being a business owner, marketing yourself, and navigating the world of social media can bring new challenges daily. Needing to evolve and learn as technology and the marketplace change is another challenge we face. But those struggles help me grow and further develop my artistic style. It is all a necessary part of being a working artist. I’m lucky to have a supportive partner in life and business who helps me work through those challenges.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Although I do other illustration work and sell artwork outside my niche, my specialty is educational resources. More specifically, nature-themed unit studies. I illustrate and write studies for homeschooling families and teachers. Our educational resources are for children of all ages, perfect for families who like to learn together. Our most popular products are sold as digital downloads that people print independently. We offer print versions of most of our products for those who’d rather have them arrive at their homes ready to go. We do most of our printing in-house, including print-to-order fine art prints, and ship from our home studio.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
You can find my art and educational resources at stephaniehathawaydesigns.com and etsy.com/shop/StephHathawayDesigns. Our book, Nature School: Lessons and Activities to Inspire Children’s Love for Everything Wild, comes out June 20th and is available for preorder! My fine art prints and other products featuring my artwork are available for wholesale at stephaniehathawaydesigns.faire.com.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stephaniehathawaydesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephhathawaydesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephhathawaydesigns
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/StephHathawayDesigns 

Image Credits
Jesse Salter Photography