Meet Erica Short | Co-Owner

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

Hi Erica, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My mom and I have been lifelong crafters and have always had a love for making beautiful things. Like many other small businesses, ours was officially founded during the Covid pandemic. In a time of uncertainty, we wanted to bring joy through handcrafted tumblers to others. We also wanted to supply other crafters with high quality, premium glitters to use in their own creations.

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.
The Shimmer Shanty is more than just a hobby. I believe art, crafting, and creating beautiful, useful things is therapeutic. I am blessed to not only be able to have a business of our own with an focus on crafting but to also be able to incorporate arts and crafts in my professional life as an RBT specializing in working with autistic children.

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 absolutely love food and love to check out new places as well as introducing guests to a few of our favorites. My all time favorite is a family owned Mexican restaurant named Rio Mirage. They have 2 locations, the original location in El Mirage and their expansion location in Surprise. Any time we have guests in town we ALWAYS take them there. A new desert spot in Glendale has become one of our newest favorites for dessert, The Paleta Bar. In addition to being a vendor, we are frequent visitors of the valleys Farmers Market scene and a MUST HAVE at any farmers market is coffee. Mad Mocha is by far our favorite coffee vendor with their fabulous selection of cold brews and lemonades.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I really have to give a shoutout to my family as a whole. My mom, Gwen, is my best friend and business partner. Through highest of highs and the lowest of lows, she has been there to support, guide, and offer up her unconditional love, no matter what. My amazing husband, Ryan, has been so unbelievably supportive throughout this whole adventure. He has been my sounding board when things are tough and has stood by my side to celebrate the positive’s. Lastly, my 4 children. They are my motivation,. I strive to be an example of how hard work, dedication, and chasing your dreams can really pay off.

Website: www.theshimmershanty@gmail.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theshimmershanty

Facebook: The Shimmer Shanty