Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruth Adams
Hi Ruth, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Sometimes it seems that life leads you indirectly to what you are supposed to be. There is the old adage about loving what you do and I think my life’s events have led to combining my artistic talents and my desire to be a greater part of any community I live in into loving what I create and feeling the satisfaction of a job well-done.
Grandmom always kept a brown Kraft paper folder with my “drawings” from when I was a kid – I still have that packet of priceless art! Even then and thru school years I looked at things creatively. I learned to sew when I was 6 (even though I cut out my first pattern on the “sewing line” not the cutting line!) I could rake the leaves in the yard into the floor plan of a house and watch them blow away only to be rebuilt the next day. The great outdoors on a large lot in Dallas was my canvas. I might have skipped a few classes in highschool off and on but never missed art class! College years had me studying art but worried I might feel a bit of pressure as a poor starving artist so I went to business school and later returned to art school – a combination now available to students that I wish had been a choice back in the day.
Days of “real ” work as a Realtor for 28 years were very fulfilling and my background(s) suited it well. During these years we moved a lot (married with a family) but in each city I really felt the need to be involved, creatively helping make THAT place a better place. Art was always there as part of the giving journey as I helped present things from a different mindset rather than how someone with a purely corporate background might.
My parents instilled a strong work ethic in me and taught me the importance of community. When you have the desire to help and know that your talents can be put to good use in doing something good it becomes a calling. It finds its way into everyday life, leadership skills and even in how you relax in a fast-paced world. Always a self-starter and not really worried about the details of life being exactly like everyone else I discovered my own brand, my own style, my own happiness. Blessed with a family that supportively understands I dance to my own drummer makes life way more interesting.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Time would be the biggest obstacle I think when it comes to everyone’s journeys. Creatives sometimes can identify exactly what impact they will have very early in their lives/careers. For others it doesn’t happen that strategically. For me, life’s puzzle pieces all had to fall into place and speak to me. It took a while. Skill sets and talents had to combine.
But the obstacle of time has also been a big part of my growth from a design and style point of view. I am lucky enough I suppose, to think with left brain and right brain. That means I can help you develop your personal style but be responsible with your finances while you get there.
Realizing that I could use my creativity and see big pictures to produce wonderful products and to, in turn, help communities made a difference in how I volunteer, the projects I work on and how I can make immediate differences.
Narrowing down all of this took years – how to be creative, make a product and support my community with its proceeds. Doesn’t happen over night.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think the thing that people appreciate the most about my work, whether design projects, custom commissioned art or my new hatband company is my attention to detail and thoroughness. The follow through and caring is recognized. I choose wisely about where I apply those skills. It’s like sewing and weaving pieces of life together which is rewarding. I think this is what differentiates me from others.
My hatband idea originated from my travels. So many times there are hats available with a permanent hatband. For people that like to change things up and have different looks a great blank hat that you can switch hatbands on is perfect for a consumer on a budget and careful about their “extras”. It doesn’t require various hats – just give the one you have a few different looks! While I adore the more expensive hats and hatbands, they may not be a reality for everyone. I wanted to find a niche where your personality can shine through affordably – making fashion accessible but within reason.
Is your hat lonely or tired…….? Make it happy. Not everyone can afford expensive hats that may go out of style in a year or so why not utilize what you have? Also something I am passionate about – recycling and repurposing. “Use what we have wisely”. When I started this portion of my artistic career, I really didn’t think much further than creating a product that the “everyday” person could afford but was specific to them, their style. This has also recently led to utilizing found objects and repurposed materials such as leather scraps and beads – don’t let them go to waste. You might even find a ripped piece of my old blue jeans as part of the base materials I build on.
I want people to also know that when they buy from me the proceeds go to local non-profits that are not top heavy but rather they serve real, direct missions in the field here in Central Texas. Supporting local on so many levels.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
No nothing really important. I choose to ignore most of that ridiculous time….. it seems to have isolated many many people and they continue to be like that. Social media and covid both really keep people from communicating person to person like we used to. The communicatio issue was probably my biggest takeaway.
Pricing:
- Pricing fro my hatbands generally run between $45 – $65
- each hatband is adjustable to most hats
- my summer line will be fun additions to the straw/sun hat you already have and want to maximize
- I ship most everything free
- Game day and custom hatbands are very popular. everything is unique
Contact Info:
- Website: https://LegacyRanchHatbands.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/legacyranchhatbands
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/P6s7qytemUpS3Da5/?mibextid=wwXIfr
