Today we’d like to introduce you to Desiree Raydeen.
Hi Desiree, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Funny enough, my business was started on accident. Let me explain.
Back in 2020 during “The Great Panini” I needed to find something constructive and creative to do and so my boyfriend Joseph, asked me if I knew how to sew and if could make him a mask.
I was taught how to sew since the age of four and it was an easy enough project and got to work. He posted it on his Instagram @cabelloart_bag and he has a very large following and so what was supposed to be a post of appreciation turned into people requesting if they could purchase.
As time went on and we as a society moved away from using masks less, I now had my own personal inventory of fabrics and needed to get creative with what to make.
I started accepting custom orders for Christmas of 2021 and was able to have fun and get creative. I made oven mitts with matching aprons, I made custom Christmas tree skirts and stockings, but the most popular item was making stuffed animals or characters.
I then wanted to take a break from sewing and started designing stickers and started selling stickers. I was gifted a Cricut machine and started making shirts and just really letting my creativity flow and explore what I like and didn’t like.
I worked primarily in my boyfriend’s tattoo shop and so I came up with creating customizable and wipeable tattoo pillows. Which is something I still love to make to this day. I am able to add a shops or artist’s logo on to the pillow and still follow the health department’s guidelines to ensure they’re safe for everyone during and after use.
I have my bachelor’s degree in Digital photography and started shooting cinematic-styled boudoir photos and provide a safe space for folks to feel sexy and confident.
During a fit of rage and having a bad day I created 3D art in a shadow box that literally says “F**K OFF” I don’t know if I’m allowed to curse so I’ll keep it PG haha, and so I posted it online to share with friends and to my surprise, people really resonated with it. I’ve been exploring making what I call intentional shadow boxes. In my fit of rage, I needed a healthy outlet as someone who’s struggled with anger management as a child and into adulthood. Art and therapy have brought me a long way and so for my friends to reach out and ask if they could purchase one and adding that touch of healing magic, they’ve reached out saying that they’ve felt a lot more peace and clarity since receiving their shadow box.
And recently I’ve begun my training for permanent makeup tattooing and will be finishing my training this January. And I will add that to my menu of services.
At this point it a running joke amongst those who personally know me of, the only thing I don’t do is stay still.
I’ve always been a creative person and I never fit well into boxes or to be contained into just doing one thing and allowing that to be my identifier. My identity is that I’m a mixed medium artist and ˌhipnəˈɡäjik is my space to do explore and build all the passions I have.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth ride haha.
When I started my business, again it was on accident, I had had the name ˌhipnəˈɡäjik for a few years and it was my art page. So it’s gone through a few identity shifts but I’m finally in tune with what I want to do and have a plan of action of how to move forward.
My biggest struggles during these last 3 years when ˌhipnəˈɡäjik was really born had been exploring what it meant to create from an authentic place rather than what’s popular and producing just to pay the bills. And for creative folks, I believe our brain chemistry isn’t set up that way, there’s a reason we were given the beautiful gift of creating.
And while yes I have multiple passions they’re all starting to fall in line with one and another and ˌhipnəˈɡäjik is coming into its own and I’m very excited and proud of what it’s become.
And being an artist is difficult anyways, society looks at art businesses through different lenses and that’s how the saying “Starving Artist” got coined. While it may start out that way for some, and myself included, I am changing that to be a “Fed Artist”.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am known for being a Jack of all trades haha!
To narrow it down I specialize in:
– Custom wipeable pillows for business and personal use.
– Corky and sarcastic stickers
– Cinematic Boudoir Photography
– Intentional Healing Shadow Boxes
– Small Business Owner Apparel
– Abrasive Home Decor
– Permanent Make Up Tattooing
I am most proud of all of these components. The tattooing and intentional healing boxes have been the most fun to create. It activates a different part of my brain and I am obsessed!
What sets me apart from others is I don’t fit in a box or a stereotype of what an artist is or on paper looks like. I’ve build up all these different mediums and I know how to juggle them all together at the same time. A lot of people don’t get to explore their creativity curiosities for a number of reasons but I have been blessed to be able to do so and to have the space to do and having a very strong support system behind me.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
For anyone starting out as an artistic or creative business, don’t listen to anyone saying you can’t do it or that it’s “impossible “ to juggle so many passions.
Especially to artists, we get the most unsolicited advice because our businesses are seen as hobby. At least that’s been my experience. And lastly, you’re not gonna be everyone’s cup of tea and you might even be a shot of whiskey for someone and that’s ok! Create authentically.
Something I wish I knew from the start would be DO NOT BUY MORE MATERIALS THAN YOU NEED! Yes in all caps haha! Oh my gosh, the amount of money, time, stress and space I would have saved myself! I laugh now because I’ve learned that lesson and especially when starting out with a new product don’t be afraid of pre-sales.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hipnegajik.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/hipnegajik?igshid=Zjc2ZTc4Nzk=
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@hipnegajik?_t=8Z0BntOZKIs&_r=1
Image Credits
(Tattooing image)Bernadette Macias- @itsmsbernadette (Model in Boudoir image)Autum Millan- @i_am_ardat_lili
