Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Engelkemeyer.
Hi Lauren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I moved to St. Louis to work as a graphic designer at Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion magazine in 2008, fresh out of college. That job and the people I observed through the stories we featured in the magazine planted a seed for me to want to be more involved in art in an entrepreneurial way. Over the years following the magazine’s closing, I ran a part-time business with several other full-time jobs, getting my master’s degree, getting married, and having kids. My brand Camp Clever began as Clever Betty Studio in 2010, when I started it as an Etsy hobby to sell handmade goods. My product line (and my brand name!) has changed several times over the years, and as of now, I’m working on making art for surface and product design. So, nearly 16 years since I moved to St. Louis, I’m working full-time on building up my repeating pattern portfolio for Camp Clever. Several designs are available on fabric, wallpaper, calendars, and other home decor. I still have a place in my heart for handmade, and I offer an ever-growing selection of DIY pillow designs for sewing. I’d love to get into art licensing shortly.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The biggest obstacle has always been time. There never seems to be enough! The pandemic was the greatest eye-opener for me as a business owner. I had to wear so many hats at that time as the manager of our household with two little kids who needed constant assistance from me and a handmade business that was thriving despite the uncertainties of the pandemic. I could no longer do it all, and I experienced burnout due to trying to do far more than anyone should. My kids are school-age now, and I’ve had the luxury recently to slow down and figure out how I want Camp Clever to look moving forward.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am trained as a graphic designer and have a fine arts degree, but I have changed what I sell so often that I think people need clarification about what exactly to label me! I’ve gone from graphic designer to designer, seamstress, and CEO of Camp Clever (Chief Everything Officer). These days, I consider myself a surface pattern designer and introduce myself as an artist when people inquire about my job. Surface pattern design involves creating art, especially repeating patterns, for any product surface, from stationery to home goods, toys, and packaging. I have focused my efforts on fabric, wallpaper, pillows, and calendars for now, and I plan to expand a bit into stationery and more home decor this year. I’d love to get into art licensing soon to work with brands that also produce these kinds of goods. Now, I’m most proud of my persistence through the ups and downs of being a small business owner. My growth hasn’t been linear, and at some low points, I’ve considered throwing in the towel altogether to switch to a more “normal” career. (If that exists!) I’m proud of my curiosity and adaptability as I learn new things.
Who else deserves credit for your story?
My husband Sean is my biggest supporter. He’s always willing to listen when I have ideas or challenges, and he often has sound advice or knows when all I need is to speak out loud. He works in healthcare and has very different formal training and professional experience from mine, but he gets it nonetheless. As a primarily web-based business, I’ve also had the pleasure of being a part of several online communities, meeting internet friends, and learning from mentors who all have helped me grow. Liz Kohler Brown, Maja Faber, and Shirlee Fisher are a few I’m in communities with and am inspired by. The community at Spoonflower has also played a massive role over the years.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.campcleverco.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/campclever
Image Credits
Lauren Engelkemeyer
