Meet Whitney Varney | Scroll Saw and Laser Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Whitney Varney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Whitney, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
There have been a few times over the last 7 years that have made me want to throw in the towel on the whole business idea. Thankfully those moments have been brief minutes of frustration that always subsided when my head cleared and I think the reason why i’ve never ever seriously considered it, is just simply because making things is just so deeply rooted in who I am. If I gave up, I’m not even sure what I would do with myself! I’ve always been a sort of “Jack of all trades”, and in the past I have jumped from hobby to hobby so fast, even I got annoyed with myself. Until I discovered sign making that is. Something about painting on and working with wood just really stuck, and it’s become such a part of me now. I hope to be creating art and working with wood my whole life long.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a self taught scroll saw artist. Although I have explored many different mediums and types of art over the years, nothing has really sparked the same passion level as my scroll saw has. I particularly love working with wood and experimenting with new techniques and materials. Any time I can make something a little out of the norm, I try to go for it. Ever since I had a social media page for my business, my tagline has always been: “Just a wood working woman on a mission to populate the world with signs that don’t say: Live, Laugh, Love.” That tagline still rings true and makes me smile every time I remember it. My only goal when starting a new piece, is to make sure it is entirely my own and to try and try to incorporate some “out of the box” thinking during the design phase. I often use matte earth tones, and detailed life-like textures in my work. Almost all of my pieces have some sort of rustic element to them, whether that is raw weathered barnwood, real rusted hardware, or just some good old fashioned distressing. No two signs of mine are ever really the same and I love that about them. Always one of a kind.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I currently live in Bremerton Washington, which is just a short 30 minute ferry ride away from downtown Seattle. I think if were my best friend visiting for a week, i’d want to take that ferry and spend one day showing you all the best secret places in downtown Seattle that i’ve discovered over the last few years. One of my favorite places to eat is Beechers. They make their own cheese and I literally could eat their famous mac and cheese every day, I am not exaggerating! Once we got our cheese fix I think i’d spend the rest of the time back on the other side of the sound where we could explore all the trails through gorgeous forests and go beach combing all in the same half hour. The PNW really is a beautiful place and I definitely am able to take a lot of inspiration from the lush greenery around me. I’d make sure we ended each night at my place because i’m a homebody at heart and would love just as much to sip hard ciders with you in my garage and show you all my tools.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are truly so many people that I could mention here, building a business is not an easy thing and no one gets there all by themselves. I think the people who really had the biggest impact on me, especially in the beginning was my family. My fiance Mykee has been so supportive of this crazy dream of mine since day 1 and has never thought it was ever too much, or anything other than the right path for me. The rest of my family is equally supportive, always there to bounce idea’s off of, help me design my logo, or simply come over and help me paint signs at midnight before a big craft fair. I have the best support system! Once I got started and really dived into the Instagram platform more, I only discovered more and more support through this amazing maker community. Instead of hiding their techniques and secrets, everyone is always happy to lend a hand or share some advice and it was just so encouraging as a new maker starting out.

Website: www.thetoastyflannel.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thetoastyflannel

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thetoastyflannel

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7bRfh0_6bwyfyh1M1WGJjw