Today we’d like to introduce you to Emiley Schnieders.
Hi Emiley, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! My name is Em, or Emiley and I have been an artist since my hands could move. Some of my earliest memories involve ignoring Pre-K classwork to draw everyone’s portraits, coming home to “decorate” the moving tubs, and marking my artists “footprint” no matter where I went- whether it be to a Hannah Montana sing along or a drawing of me on the dashboard I wanted to create- and I was ready to make myself be seen.
The Artist Alley isn’t where I planned my art career to go, and not only does it fulfill every inch of my creative endeavors- but this trajectory makes sense! I couldn’t be more proud to create and vend in the convention halls I once walked myself as a young artist! I would love to tell Lil’ Em that she gets to sit behind the art she’s made while being apart of the community she’s dreamed of her whole life.
I had been drawing nonstop for my entire life, and consistently made digital art that I wasn’t doing anything with- I was lost on how to make movement as an Artist. I had a friend within my support system offer to split a table with me that she already bought for herself, and after that first event I had fallen in love. I dove head first into creating displays, more merchandise, and really leaning into my online personality. I think it’s so important to create especially when it’s not your sole income. I was creating everyday alongside working in retail for 9 years before I found what brought passion, work, and community into my life. I couldn’t be more thankful for the position, friends, and community I am apart of today. They make me who I am, which in turn creates my art, and reason for creating art.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been so many struggles- but nothing that hasn’t been worth the fight. I think many people expect the “humps” in the road to be easier to get over since you’re doing something you’re passionate about, but at the end of the day we are our own worst critic, and our own Boss. Things will go wrong- that is life baby. It’s all in how you take the reigns on these situations. A show got cancelled and that was supposed to cover x, y or z? Well the bump in the road isn’t the show being cancelled- it’s how you’re going to adapt to that it being cancelled, and it’s all on YOU and you alone to call those shots. In any creative field, you have to be comfortable with taking control, and you have to know when something is going to benefit you or your branding, and what won’t.
I want to take this opportunity to talk about one of my biggest “humps”, living on a gig based income. The yearly income for Artist Alley Artists is extremely diverse and depends on a ton of variables like merchandise and location (and so much more!)- but you can live on this type of Income, it’s just different- and you have to adjust to not receiving a salary, or a bi-weekly paycheck. Shows, pay, and popularity ranges, one event can gift you with beautiful sales while others can leave you just making back your table, if not taking a loss on the event entirely. This is where adaptability comes into play! Knowing how you need to expand your products for your audience, and creating other sources of income via tutorials, a Mail Club, workshops, etc!
I couldn’t leave this page without adding in the BIGGEST hump overall: staying true to yourself, and staying true to what you create. It’s so easy to get busy, wrapped up in work related art, but never stop creating for yourself! Sure theres a stamp rally sticker due, and that print needs to be done before the week- but making art for yourself is the most important thing you can do for YOU as an artist.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Sooo what is an Artist Alley Artist? It’s an artist that vends at conventions, popups, and art markets!
Alongside my in-person booths, I offer my online shop where you can also find exclusive items, and my monthly Sticker Mail Club which has new, original designs every month for a limited time!
One of my biggest fears is blending in.. as artists we know how important it is to stand out! I would say I’m most recognized for my style, I try to carry a “sketchy” style over into my digital art and do this by scanning in my physical sketchbooks and editing them digitally. I use this to create my originals, and to create fanart. Between my style, my originals, and a connected sense of love for western animation, I would say that’s what draws people towards me and in a sense- what really sets me apart!
Overall I sell stickers, re-usable sticker books, prints, sticker packs and sheets, pins, keychains, charms, and I’m working to expand my brand even more this year! But those are secrets! You’ll have to stay tuned to find out what I’ll be expanding into hehehe! But to answer what i’m most proud of creating for Forizzleem, I think I would say (SO FAR!) my Monthly Sticker Club! It has allowed to me to create art much more freely in a style I’m comfortable with and that other people seem to connect with! And they go hand in hand with my other favorite product, my re-usable sticker books!
What’s next?
I have some VERY BIG product plans that I’m keeping under wraps right now- but am very excited to share as we get closer to summer! New products, new designs, and new ways to market them!
As for now, I’m just keeping up with the monthly designs for my Mail Club alongside prepping for the events I have scheduled out for the rest of the year!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ko-fi.com/forizzleem/shop
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forizzleem/
