MEET THE MAKERS
Debbie and Haley have been best friends for fourteen years. Four of those years were spent in high school passing notes about boys and T Swift, making questionable choices about what should and should not remain in our lockers all year, and riding that uncomfortable line between not complete outcasts but also about three or four (or five or six) rungs down on the social hierarchy from the popular kids. Climbing ladders was not our thing, so we set up camp under a stairwell, eating lunch there everyday with a group of close friends. We went mainly unnoticed by everyone except our people, which is how we preferred it.
To this day we continue to fumble along the line between staying home alone and spending time in good company. It's a beautiful, introverted life, people. With the support of our friends, and our teenage selves who always dreamed of working together, we decided to team up to share our favorite hobbies with the world (or just whoever is interested, really). We've been doodling, passing notes, and making stuff together for a long time. We're really just our 15 year old selves, but with slightly more confidence, slightly less emotional instability, and a fancy new website.
Care to join us under the Stairwell?
HALEY
Heyo! I'm the taller half of this best friend duo you've stumbled upon. I'm also the half that creates the embroidery and macrame! The very first time I came across a video of someone stitching on Instagram I knew it was something I would love to do. Turns out I was right! The slow and steady in and out of the needle is so therapeutic for me and I love that its something people have been doing for centuries, but can still be done with a modern flare. As for macrame, my mom got me started on it. She showed me a few knots and I fell in love! The repetitive movements of tying the knots is very meditative for me and I love how much freedom there is for creativity in this medium. I've learned a lot from other artists online and have had a lot of fun honing my skills and refining my style. When I'm not making things I'm probably watching movies with my husband, working in the garden, bird watching, or cooking.. or eating. Follow me on Instagram @hippiehappyhaley to keep up with all the shenanigans. Thanks for being here, friends!
DEBBIE
Why hello! I prefer paper to texting and ink on my hands to nail polish. I will also engage enthusiastically in any conversation you'd like to have about calligraphy nibs, fountain pens, and drawing tools. My fascination with lettering and drawing came instantaneously when my grandma introduced me to her calligraphy pens at the (approximate) age of 7. That pen has led me down a still-winding path full of doodles and lettering literally anywhere people will let me. This might be a good time to thank my parents for letting me letter on their doors, all the walls in my room, my desk, and every bed frame I had growing up. You're the real MVPs. To date, there are (very) few things in life, if any, that bring me as much peace, safety, and sense of belonging as when I'm drawing. Creating a business with my best friend seemed like the perfect opportunity to continue to ink up different areas of my like. I'm so excited to make stuff, welcome!
