We recently had the chance to connect with Rachel Takas and have shared our conversation below.
Rachel, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day look like this – I wake up, make my morning matcha and go out to our back patio with my sun-loving dog, Jake. I sit in the sunshine while I drink my matcha and either make a mental to-do list or hand write one down for the day. Then I water the garden check on all the outdoor plants. After that, I’m ready to get to work for the day!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Rachel Takas, I’m the owner of LadyTakas. I make hand-made, hand-dyed and printed goods. I am a textile artist that incorporates many different techniques and processes to create unique, one of a kind items. My products range from home goods (pillows, tea towels, wall art) to clothing, cards and hair accessories. Most of my materials are from high quality reclaimed or overstock fabrics, thrifted finds, and my home grown flowers which I press and use for botanical prints. My dye processes include ice dyeing, Shibori folding and submersion dyeing. My printing processes include Tataki-zome, lino-printing with hand carved stamps, and solar printing. I also hand-embroider to make beautiful wall or shelf art. Tataki-zome is a Japanese technique that uses real botanicals to make prints and patterns on fabrics or paper by hammering. I also teach workshops for flower hammering! It is such a fun way to create beautiful prints with the flowers from my garden and I love sharing it with the community.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
One of my best friends, Katie, has always seen me and who I could be. She is such an encouraging motivator for me to keep going and to believe in myself. We’ve known each other since middle school and went through the art program at ECU together. I think more than anyone else, she knows me at my rawest self and understands how my mind works creatively. She has been such a great cheerleader to LadyTakas while I navigate my way through owning a small business and I’m forever grateful to have her in my life.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell her to keep seeing the beauty in all things. To stay silly, keep playing in the flowers and never let her creative nature take the backseat. That one day things will work out and she will be able to own her own company that lets her do the things she loves every day.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, I can not fake anything and typically wear my heart on my sleeve. I am not shy, love to talk and am an open book. so most likely if you’ve seen me out in public, I’ve been talking someone’s ear off (probably about how much I love flowers and printing with them.) Being my most authentic self is extremely important to me.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Now, I am doing what I was born to do. Before I started LadyTakas, I was doing what I was told to do. By this I mean that after college I tried to survive in the corporate world for a while. I worked multiple jobs trying to stay relatively close to the creative field, but coming up short of actually getting to be creative. My generation was told, “go to college, get your degree, then get a good paying job” and “artist isn’t a real job.” But as an artist, finding a ‘good paying job’ while staying true to myself was extremely hard. I did have a couple of jobs that I really liked, but overall I was not fulfilled in what I was doing with my career. I always knew my role in this life was to create. I finally feel like I’m where I’m suppose to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ladytakastextiles.com
- Instagram: @ladytakas_textiles
- Other: email – [email protected]
