Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Thrall.
Hi Natasha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My story starts way back when I was little. Always getting coloring and drawing stuff for my birthday. Constantly doodling and drawing on anything and everything. When I got in high school, I took an art class. I learn more of what I love doing. Which was being messy in a creative way. I took my love and passion further by going career center in Visual Communications. I learn more about designing, printing, and digital. And my second year of Career Center, I major in Design and Print. There I had the space and the opportunity to design and practice on what I wanted to do and achieve.
After graduating high school and Career Center. I tried to stay in the field I wanted to be but at that time. I wasn’t sure what it was or how to find it. So, I worked part-time with screen printing, while doing a very small side job of design and cutting vinyl decals. I left my screen-printing job to a full-time job at a child care and later finding out I was pregnant with my first kid.
I didn’t give up my artsy life, I just did little things and plan art projects for the childcare class. After losing my little brother to suicide, I left the childcare and started taking care of myself again finding my passion in designing and printing but also taking it easy as I was still pregnant. After giving birth to my daughter, I tried another medium Photography. I enjoyed it, not only taking photos of my newborn, I also got a job through Lifetouch. As I did that for a couple years, I realized it wasn’t my true passion… going through years of trying to find what I am most passionate in the art community. I tried cup-making for a while until I got pregnant with my son. And it wasn’t the safest craft to do when you’re pregnant. So, I had to step away and find myself again.
But this time, I thought about what I love to do and what inspired me. As I’m sitting at home coloring with my daughter and husband, I was inspired… My daughter loves to color just like I did when I was little. It gave me an idea to design coloring pages for her to enjoy.
Now I run and operate a small business called Simpkins Studios. I hand design and printed everything and my family are the true inspiration of my work. And I couldn’t done it without all of them.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth ride. By trying different creative mediums throughout the years, I have learned a lot and how I can use that knowledge for what I do now. In 2017, I lost my little brother to suicide. I felt lost until my daughter was born but knowing I was going to be a mother in a few short months. I had to find something to help me find myself again. I found that drawing/doodling had helped me slowly find myself. I would grab my sketchbook, and sit down and just draw. Draw of what I was feeling or what I was thinking about or even just coming up with different designs for random things. To this day when I am feeling overwhelmed or upset about something I tend to grab a notebook and doodle or design something to help ease my mind off of things.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work is mostly involves Paper. I design and print everything I sell. Here is some things we do coloring books, Notepads, Notebooks, recycled paper, and greeting cards… A lot of people know me, for my coloring pages with a unique crayon and my coloring books. I am really proud of my Recycled Paper and I am slowing fining more uses with my Recycled Paper by putting in notebooks or using them for our greeting cards or even using it with packaging for our items. I think what sets me apart from everyone else is by using recycled materials. My unique crayons are made out of used unloved crayons and remelted into new repurposed crayons. And my coloring pages are printed on recycled paper. I am currently working more towards recycled homemade paper. And how I can use that in more of our products.
What matters most to you?
My family, they inspire me every day. They are always giving me new ideas for new products. And while I use recycled materials for my ideas/products. I’m slowly making a better place for my kids to grow up in. Not only that my family inspires me every day. But that they support me through all my crazy ideas and preparation. I would say that my parents are my number one supporters. They have always told me to follow your dreams and do what makes you happy. My husband he has watched me grow into the person I am now since high school. Not only does he support me but he helps me with a lot of my products.
Pricing:
- Coloring Books are $6.00
- Coloring pages with unique crayons are $2.00
- Recycled Notebooks are $8.00
- Affirmations Cards are $12.00
- Intention Paper Bundles are $6.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.simpkinsstudios.com/
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/simpkinsstudios
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/simpkinsstudios/
