Collectors Gene Radio: Stephanie Housley - Founder, Coral & Tusk

Episode Release Date: January 22, 2025

Introduction and Guest Background

In this episode of Collectors Gene Radio, host Cameron Ross Steiner welcomes Stephanie Housley, the visionary founder of Coral & Tusk. Stephanie's journey from the Ohio Valley to the bustling streets of New York City and eventually to the serene landscapes of Wyoming is a testament to her deep-rooted passion for nature and creativity.

Cameron introduces Stephanie as someone whose work embodies storytelling through collecting and creativity. With a background in textile design from RISD and 15 years as an interior textile designer in NYC, Stephanie took a bold step in 2007 by launching Coral & Tusk with just an embroidery machine in her Brooklyn apartment. Today, Coral & Tusk is renowned for its spirited embroidered textiles and home goods, all inspired by Stephanie's hand-drawn illustrations and her love for nature.

The Creative Process of Coral & Tusk

Stephanie delves into the intricate process behind Coral & Tusk's creations. Every design begins as her original hand-drawn illustration, inspired by elements from nature such as feathers, leaves, and wildlife.

Stephanie (02:08): "Everything starts out as a hand drawing from you, direct from the source, and then it's transferred to cloth in some sort of fashion, but it remains your hand."

She meticulously researches each collected item, translating her observations into embroidery. This blend of manual artistry and technology allows her to maintain the authenticity of her designs while scaling production.

Moving from New York to Wyoming: Impact on Creativity

After nearly two decades in New York City, Stephanie and her husband felt a profound need to reconnect with nature, leading them to relocate to Wyoming. This move profoundly influenced Stephanie's creative output, providing a rich tapestry of natural inspiration.

Stephanie (15:32): "The natural environment lends itself automatically to have. It's sort of like it's just by osmosis almost... there's just a constant stream of information that's feeding your baseline in a way that you don't have to try as hard."

The expansive Wyoming landscapes offer Stephanie a diverse array of flora and fauna, further fueling her designs and deepening her connection to the natural world.

The Art of Collecting and Storytelling

A significant portion of the conversation centers around Stephanie's philosophy of collecting—not just objects, but experiences and stories. Stephanie emphasizes that her collections are deeply intertwined with the narratives they inspire, making each piece more meaningful.

Stephanie (23:01): "It's a chicken or egg, because without the source of inspiration, you don't have a story... I can't see one without the other."

This symbiotic relationship between collection and storytelling is at the heart of Coral & Tusk's unique offerings, where each embroidered piece tells a tale derived from Stephanie's interactions with her environment.

"In Stitches": The Book Project

Stephanie discusses her latest endeavor, the book "In Stitches", which serves as a window into her extensive collection and creative process. Collaborating with Rizzoli, Stephanie organized the book thematically—coastal, woodland, desert—highlighting her diverse inspirations.

Stephanie (29:50): "The entire book process was just so fun because working with Rizzoli was really fantastic... We're really going to try to share the designs themselves rather than products and really focus on what is the art behind each one of these things."

"In Stitches" not only showcases over 3,000 original drawings and embroideries but also delves into the stories and memories that each piece encapsulates.

Archiving and Organizing Collections

Stephanie reveals the meticulous systems she employs to manage her vast collection of designs and inspirations. Utilizing tools like Google Sheets, Dropbox, and Google Slides, she ensures that every design, from its initial sketch to its final product, is well-documented and easily accessible.

Stephanie (32:24): "We have several systems in place... We have a link to the original drawing that I have as a scan in Dropbox... organizing every single design by theme, but also by product category."

This organized approach allows Coral & Tusk to maintain consistency and efficiency in both their creative and business operations.

Favorite Designs and Their Stories

Cameron shares three standout designs from "In Stitches," each with its own unique story:

1. Merit Badge Drawings (Page 48-49): Inspired by Stephanie's childhood as a Brownie, these designs reflect her love for badges as symbols of achievement and service.

   Stephanie (37:55): "I was obsessed with the Handbook... I wanted all of these badges. I want to do whatever it takes to collect all of these badges."

2. Fern Collection from Japan (Page 66-67): Captured during a serene walk in Japan, this design intertwines Stephanie's love for pockets and her fascination with foxes, creating a whimsical scene within an organized fern pocket.

   Stephanie (40:55): "I have always been obsessed with pockets... the way that these ferns made this pocket was just totally perfection."

3. Holiday Ornaments (Page 208-209): These vintage-inspired ornaments have become collectibles over the years, with Stephanie introducing new designs annually to keep the collection fresh and engaging.

   Stephanie (43:51): "Yes, we introduce new ornaments every single holiday... seeing their trees and who they've given them to is just really great."

Collector’s Gene Rundown

In the final segment, Stephanie answers a series of personal collecting-related questions:

• The One That Got Away: A near-encounter with tiger tracks in Nepal that slipped away before she could witness a tiger firsthand.

• On Deck Circle: Planning a trip to Bhutan to explore its unique flora and fauna, including the elusive blue poppies and potentially spotting a snow leopard.

• The Unobtainable: While musing about extinct species, Stephanie expressed a desire to collect land for conservation purposes to preserve wild habitats and support biodiversity.

• Role Model in Collecting: Beatrix Potter, admired for her ability to translate her fascination with the natural world into timeless illustrations and creations.

• Hunt vs. Ownership: Stephanie revels in the hunt—the research and discovery phase of collecting—over the ownership of items.

• Collector's Gene: Stephanie believes she possesses the "Collector's Gene" in a non-traditional sense, driven by her innate curiosity and passion for storytelling through collections.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Cameron wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude to Stephanie for sharing her inspiring journey and insights into the world of collecting and creativity. He also offers a special giveaway of Stephanie's book "In Stitches" to listeners as a token of appreciation, encouraging the community to engage and continue the cycle of sharing and collecting.

Cameron (51:40): "Thank you again for coming on the show. I can't wait to see everything that you do at Coral and Tusk going forward."

Stephanie reciprocates the sentiment, highlighting the joy and fulfillment she finds in both her creative endeavors and the connections formed through Coral & Tusk.

Key Takeaways:

• Interconnectedness of Collection and Storytelling: Stephanie's approach underscores the importance of weaving narratives into collections, making each piece more than just an object but a story to be told.

• Adaptability and Growth: Moving from an urban environment to a natural setting illustrates how changes in surroundings can profoundly impact creativity and business growth.

• Meticulous Organization: Effective archiving and organization are crucial for managing extensive collections, ensuring that each item's story and inspiration are preserved.

• Accessibility of Collecting: Stephanie emphasizes that collecting doesn't have to be expensive or intimidating; nature offers an endless array of accessible treasures for enthusiasts.

• Legacy and Conservation: Beyond personal collections, Stephanie's vision extends to preserving wild habitats, highlighting the broader impact collectors can have on the environment.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephanie (02:08): "Everything starts out as a hand drawing from you, direct from the source, and then it's transferred to cloth in some sort of fashion, but it remains your hand."

• Stephanie (15:32): "The natural environment lends itself automatically to have. It's sort of like it's just by osmosis almost..."

• Stephanie (23:01): "It's a chicken or egg, because without the source of inspiration, you don't have a story... I can't see one without the other."

• Stephanie (37:55): "I was obsessed with the Handbook... I wanted all of these badges."

• Stephanie (40:55): "I have always been obsessed with pockets... the way that these ferns made this pocket was just totally perfection."

• Cameron (51:40): "Thank you again for coming on the show. I can't wait to see everything that you do at Coral and Tusk going forward."

This episode offers a profound exploration of collecting as both a personal passion and a means of storytelling, beautifully illustrated through Stephanie Housley's journey with Coral & Tusk.