Tara Tonsor shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Tara, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me right now is to check my calendar and not forget what I have scheduled for the week. I usually end up at studio around noon or earlier (I usually work late nights) and either prep for workshops, check wholesale orders or make plans for new designs. Luckily I am able to work with my boyfriend 4 days a week and we team up on the needed tasks or break down ways to create efficient steps. Most of the steps I have for fulfilling orders or prepping for workshops are consecutive so we both have to work out each step of tracing, cutting, grinding, foiling, and soldering each stained glass piece.
If I am teaching later that night, it’s a long day close to 10-11hrs so I struggle to prepare for the next day, but I usually end my days trying to manage the mess on the cutting table so that when I come in the next day I don’t have something to clean up just to get started! And then we do it alllll over again the next day!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! My brand is the ever evolving Lost & Found Design. I originally started with jewelry and home goods with literally taking apart and putting back together old jewelry or found parts. After getting into laser cut wood, I started designing my shapes and pieces to assemble alongside gemstones and metal.
And because I needed to add more curiosity to my making process, I added glass! So now I’m also working in stained glass using lead free solder. This additional material and process has really taken off in ways that allowed me to sell wholesale as well as teach workshops. So I guess I’m a curious maker with an addiction to learning how to always make!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I have degrees in graphic design and illustration from KU. I always thought I needed to be those defined job roles because either it’s on paper or let’s be honest, I’m in student loan debt so I want to apply those degrees in the business I have manifested.
What I realized is that I still do all those problem solving and creative designing parts now, but just in unexpected ways. I am applying my degrees, just not in a cubicle.
I still feel insecure about the world’s perception of me…like the self-employed person is often having to prove their worth on paper and in person. Self-employment is exhausting when it comes to paperwork, taxes, insurance, financial stability, etc… On top of that you are the designer, maker, producer, fabricator, promoter, and seller.
Most of the paperwork and financial components are not something that comes easily to my art brain…it’s definitely improved because of mistakes or honestly the “adulting” and reality check that if I don’t have cash flow or savings, I don’t have a business. So I have to navigate different income streams from retail, wholesale, teaching and pop ups.
The impression of me as an “artist” is that I’m just goofing off all day, when the reality is far from it. My days are usually more than 8hrs and 6 if not 7 days a week. My life blends into my work all the time. And I don’t have a switch to turn it off which is good and bad.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Fear that has held me back in the past usually dealt with assumptions about how I was supposed to live and the insecurities the follow alongside those issues.
I am thankful I grew up with a strong willed single parent who knew that life brings challenges. My mom always encouraged me to be passionate with my mind, heart and soul.
I had to find that sweet spot between happiness with my creativity and making a living. I’m still living with the complicated fear of belonging in the world as an artist and earning income. It doesn’t really go away for me, but I have learned to live with it as a strength and not insecurity. I just know that if I keep letting the fear take over, it will hold me back longer and I don’t have time for that!
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to believe that I always needed to work to succeed. I now recognize that passion and dedication to my creative practice also needs time to refuel.
It’s extremely hard for me to realize when my gas tank is low. I think that I’m not allowed to stop or pause or even enjoy time away from the studio. But the constant work, long hours, and crappy snacks instead of dinner isn’t giving me any fuel to also take care of myself.
If I’m the creative brains to make the art, then I’m setting myself up to fail if I’m not giving time or rest or just plain health. And I also need to find new inspiration so leaving the studio, going out into nature or learning about a new and interesting thing is important for my growth. I’m also getting older so I can’t pretend that I’ve got the same energy from before!
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace now with balance.
I love the bursts of energy or late nights fueled by caffeine, but I also need rest and doing things outside of the studio.
I need to balance because it gives me a sense of peace with my body, my mind, and my community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lostandfounddesignus.com
- Instagram: @lostandfounddesign
- Facebook: Lost & Found Design
- Other: Studio Collective – www.cherrypitcollective.com
Image Credits
Trista Taylor
Tara Tonsor
