Anne Secor

8 Years as a Full-Time Artist How I’ve Gotten Features, Commercial Contracts, & Grown My Business Photo by Lynette Scoles & Iain Murray By Stephanie Reppas from October Design Hi! My name is Stephanie and I own October Design in Hudson Valley, NY. I turn reclaimed industrial and rustic materials into unique lighting and décor for homes and businesses. 02 FEATURED SELLER | OCTOBER DESIGN # HANDMADE SELLER 03 Hi! My name is Stephanie and I own October Design in Hudson Valley, NY. I turn reclaimed industrial and rustic materials into unique lighting and décor for homes and businesses. I’ve always had an affection for abandoned places and things, finding beauty and potential in something that the rest of the world has passed over or cast off. (Bonus: free art supplies!) I also love being hands-on with tools and working with organic materials like wood, leather, and concrete. It’s fun to turn an object on its head and find an unusual new use for it. I like to surprise others – and sometimes myself – by working a bit of whimsy into my work, like oddball chandeliers made from upcycled X-ray film or rabbit fence paired with old microscope slides. 04 FEATURED SELLER | OCTOBER DESIGN # HANDMADE SELLER 05 But until about 10 years ago, I was only able to work on my ideas part-time. I went to art school and did a lengthy stint as a graphic designer and art director in Manhattan. I had really bottomed out on the corporate world and found that I was creating less and less on my own. ‘‘ just uncomfortable enough to keep me moving forward. I was super-focused and started making all sorts of plans. I moved from the city to upstate New York in search of space and quiet. I also paid off my car, got rid of a lot of my possessions, and stashed every cent I could to build a The idea of working on my own terms and on my own designs? Now THAT was something I could get excited about! As any maker knows, waiting for the weekend to work on your art really stinks. The thought of continuing a 9 to 5 desk job really didn’t appeal to me, but the idea of working on my own terms and on my own designs? Now THAT was something I could get excited about! I started transitioning into my own design business, part-time at first. I’d work at my day job for eight hours, then come home and put in another five to six hours on my own business. It was a tad grueling, but the situation was 06 FEATURED SELLER | OCTOBER DESIGN ‘‘ safety net for myself. When I had the opportunity to go full-time, I jumped. Now, rather than designing for someone else, I’m putting my creative energy into my own ideas, and taking on bigger, more challenging projects. My business lets me combine several of my loves and interests: design, travel, exploring new spaces, finding really fantastic objects, and creating something remarkable with them. And, when I want, I can run my power tools at 3am with Tom Waits cranked. # HANDMADE SELLER 07 08 FEATURED SELLER | OCTOBER DESIGN # HANDMADE SELLER 09