Augusta Handmade Fair

VALERIE SUSAN HANDMADE

handmade fabric & hand painted accessories and home decor

Meet The Maker

WHO ARE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU FROM, & WHAT DO YOU DO?
My name is Valerie Tereska. I was born on a military base in Kentucky, moved around a bit till I now have my forever home in Grovetown,GA. I am a full-time creator while I am taking care of my three wild creations.

DESCRIBE YOUR PROCESS.
Finding the tools that might be considered to use for traditional items and make them somewhat not so traditional. Sometimes a fabric speaks to me and it’s just enough to be made a traditional way and other times it tells me it wants crazy flowers on it or an octopus.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Color, comfort, whimsy and a touch of nerd/pop culture.

FUN FACT ABOUT YOU.
This is the way!

FAVORITE THING ABOUT DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA.
Seeing joy in someone’s eyes when they see my work. I have an inner child that comes out a lot in my pieces and it’s lovely to see a spark of that in someone.

WHY DO YOU LOVE TO DESIGN, CREATE + MAKE? If you have a vision for something, whether it’s creating a product, a brand, offering a service… research it. Don’t be afraid to get to work on it right away! Take time. Make mistakes. Figure out what works and what doesn’t. Solicit feedback from trusted sources. And have fun! Your business venture is literally what you make of it!

WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD SHARE WITH OTHER ARTISTS + MAKERS?
Create for yourself, not for the masses.