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If you missed the first vendor featured post and the heart behind this new series in the blog–check it out HERE!

This week I’m so excited to introduce you to an incredibly talented, incredibly sweet, kind & creative friend Beth Laird! And there is something special about this post! It’s not exclusively for my brides!!! (Hint: Pay attention everyone!!!) Beth is a graphic designer, illustrator and custom artist! She does everything from wedding invitation designs, to watercolors, to being a print shop owner! (See here!) I’ve gotten the joy of getting to follow along with Beth’s journey and HELLO! She is SO gifted!!! I mean, just one of the many examples I could give you…Beth recently was contracted to paint the wall of a local KC coffee shop! I mean, just look at THIS! If you have a vision for unique invitations like no one else’s–Beth’s your girl! If you want prints to hang in your newborns room–Beth’s your girl!! If you want a custom watercolor for your home–Beth’s your girl!! (I think you’re getting the point!) Obviously I want everyone to be a part of the beautiful work that she’s doing!!!

So before I get too carried away here…you should get to know her a little yourself!!!

How did you get your start in design? Was design something that you alway wanted to do?
I actually took a very round about way on the road to becoming a designer. As far back as I remember I have always loved art. You could always find me painting or drawing as a child. I couldn’t wait for art class and always really excelled in that area. I grew up in a very small town in North Dakota and wasn’t aware of very many opportunities to make art a career. As I got older I found myself really interested in interior design and photography, since those were things I had been exposed to.

When I got to college I really had no idea what I wanted to do. I signed up as a Mass Communications major, which I feel like, is the perfect degree for if you don’t know what you want to do. I spent almost an entire year as a Mass Comm major and still felt no passion for any of my post college career options. During a soul-searching conversation with an upper class man I came to realize that my interest in photography hadn’t lessened and maybe I could make that a career. That conversation really changed the trajectory of my life, because it was during that talk that I was told if I was a graphic design major I would learn Photoshop.

It seems so silly now, because a day or so after that talk I went and changed my major to graphic design and honestly still didn’t even know what it was! As I began taking classes and working on projects I realized that by chance I had found work that didn’t feel like work. I became engrossed with the world of design and have yet to grow tired of the endless possibilities that come along with being in this field.

What is your favorite part about being a designer?

My favorite part is the variety of projects that I get to work on. Some days I am working on a booklet for a university, then the next day I am doing a watercolor painting for a wedding invitation. I also love to learn, there are always new programs and new techniques for me to try. One thing that I really love about design is that it can be very tactile; I love to create hand drawn lettering and patterns. It is so fun to bring those into a design. It really makes a project feel unique.
If there is one thing that you could tell your clients (or future clients) what would it be and why?

Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and to be willing to try new ideas. I love when a client comes to me and has bold ideas. It is so fun to go on a journey together to create a final product that they will love.

Why did you decide to be a designer?

It sounds cliché, but I think design really found me;)

How long have you been doing design?

Professionally for about 6 years now. Wow, that seems longer then I realized!
Where were you born and what brought you to Kansas City?

Like I said I grew up in a really tiny town in North Dakota. I had always dreamed of living in the city. I went to a Nazarene Church in town and they were affiliated to a university in Kansas City. I had a couple of friends that were coming to school there and that helped me to be brave and spread my wings. My husband, Tanner, is from Kansas City, so we ended up making our home here.

On your days off, what is your favorite way to spend your time?
I love music! Tanner and I play in a band with a couple of our friends from college, we often spend time writing and playing music together. I love to go on walks, especially on warm summer days! It is so fun to just soak in in the sites and sounds around me. I find a lot of inspiration in nature. I love to spend time with my family and friends. We have a great group of friends in the city and it has been a huge blessing to live life with them. I also have 4 nieces and nephews, and I love any chance that I get to be with them! They are so fun to be around!

What are three adjectives that you would use to describe yourself?

Funny, Energetic, Joyful

Where is your dream vacation?

London and Italy

What is your favorite thing about living in Kansas City?

Kansas City has a really thriving art scene. There are so many great artists in town and I am so excited to see how the city has embraced them.

If you were given the option of coffee, tea or pop what would it be?

Water

What was your major in college?

Graphic Design

What other hobbies do you have?
Oh boy, I am a bit of a career hobbyist. I think every 3 months I have the urge to start a new hobby. I love photography, videography, painting, writing, decorating, restoring furniture, ballet, yoga, crafting… the list could go on and on. It’s a bit of a problem at times.

Want to follow Beth?
Check out her website HERE!
Follow her beautiful Instagram feed HERE!
See her shop HERE!

P.S Beth and Tanner’s incredible maternity pictures will be coming to you in full NEXT WEEK! I just can’t even contain how excited I am about them!!!! Be sure you come back to the blog to see them! I promise you won’t want to miss them!!!