• Murals
  • Paper Crafts
  • Cricut + SVG files
  • Sewing
  • doodled coloring pages
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

oh yay studio - Making + baking + everyday celebrating

Celebrating Holidays + everydays through making + DIYs + Murals + costumes + a creative monthly subscription

  • Home
  • About
  • Categories
    • DIYs
      • Painting
      • Cricut + SVG files
      • Paper Crafts
      • Sewing
      • Yarn + Fibers
    • Printables
    • Murals
    • Recipes
    • Holiday
    • Costumes
    • Life
    • Uncategorized
  • Contact
  • SHOP!
  • oh yay studio squad

All Life

my why and my heart!

hand lettered graphic, joy graphic, emily steffen, oh yay studio why, the reason behind the business, hand lettering, learn how to hand letter
Every business owner gets asked the question WHY! Why are you making the product you are making? Why are you hustling to get your message or voice or idea or process out there? What is the heart behind your message? And what do you think that you are TRULY solving??? 

Today I am going to share with you my WHY and my heart and the reason I pour myself into this little business of mine! 🙂

First of all, I believe that this world is full of junk and hard stuff. Life is hard, people can be mean and icky things can happen to great people. It can suck. It does suck sometimes. BUT I believe that I have been made on this planet to bring joy. To show you (and myself) that even when things are hard, and they will be, that there’s hope in the hurting! To see the little moments that, even in the midst of sucky, can make things even the tiniest of better. To know that, even when it seems like life is punching you square in the face, that at you still have two strong legs to stand on. And to help you to know that, if even for a second, you are loved beyond your wildest dreams. Because the truth is that joy is not the lack of these icky or terrible things happening to us in life. Joy is the way we choose to handle these things!

I also believe that when people feel loved, they are their best selves and can move ANY set of mountains. Love is strong like that.

I grew up in a home that was creative and fun and full of nature and family dinners with loads of board game playing at night. I had a Mom that sewed every ounce of clothing I ever asked for (until I was too cool to wear handmade items in Middle school, but then I eventually came around). She encouraged me and loved me and built me up towards every dream that I ever spoke out loud to her. She taught me to be myself and that I matter SO DEEPLY to this world, and to her! 🙂 And I grew up with a Dad that never once made me doubt his endless and proud love for me. He taught me to never be afraid of hard things and that once I start something, I MUST complete it (oy, still working on that one Dad).

A short 11 months after my husband and I got married, my happy, easy, fun little world got rocked. My Mom died of cancer. And then 20 months later it got shaken again with a phone call that my Dad took his own life. I am an only child and was all alone. OY! My happy, solid, loving, safe, supportive, build-me-up family was gone. It sucked. A LOT! I felt robbed. I grieved. And I grieved hard. I got angry (VERY angry). But through A LOT of counseling, my husband’s unwavering love, MANY cry-sessions to friends and family and anyone who would listen and lots of Hallmark movies, I am where I am today, 10 years later! 🙂

This isn’t a message about me saying that hard things are ok, because they aren’t. And this isn’t a message about how we all move on and pick ourselves back up again, because sure, we do that. This business and blog and shop and ME is a living, breathing response to say that hard things happen, BUT JOY! My heart is what I said above:
JOY IS NOT THE LACK OF JUNK HAPPENING IN LIFE. JOY IS THE WAY WE CHOOSE TO HANDLE IT!

And trust me, I didn’t choose to handle my junk and grief in a neat and tidy box with any sort of fast timeline. Nope, not even close. It took a few years. But I eventually saw how loved I was and I let that love help me dream again. Dream up something that could spread love and share color and a small bit of what my Mom taught me in her sewing room and to undoubtedly prove that JOY CHANGES THINGS!

It just does.
JOY CHANGES THINGS!

My heart is that you will see hope through the colorful doodles or hand-lettering. And fun in the recipes or baking adventures. That you will find inspiration in the big, small, or obscure holiday celebrations (and hopefully adopt some for your own home)! That you will see legacy in the creativity, DIY’s, patterns or tutorials that I play with. That you would see joy in ALLLL of the products and ideas! AND, most of all that you would find a small glimpse of wholehearted LOVE in everything that OH YAY STUDIO is!

Pin27
Share
Tweet
27 Shares


6 Comments

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
« Week Four :: Lemon Meringue Pie ice cream sandwich
Week five : 4th of July tie-dye ice cream sammie! »

Comments

  1. Laura lee says

    June 26, 2018 at 9:35 pm

    Wow Emily!!! Great explanation of your why!!! So honest and real! Thank you for being you because you are really fantastic at it!!! Your mom and dad would and are so proud of you!!! Continue to spread the joy!!!

    Reply
  2. Dawn says

    June 26, 2018 at 9:37 pm

    You are loved, amazingly loved. Thank you for, well, being you. 😍

    Reply
  3. Pam says

    June 27, 2018 at 1:33 am

    This!!! This I have been waiting for you to post!!! You are an unbelievably strong woman and inspiration to many of us that have dreams, aspirations and JUNK!! Thank you for sharing your story so truthfully and I hope you never forget your why Emily!!!!!! Keep it up.

    Reply
  4. Net says

    November 23, 2020 at 11:14 am

    Emily, thank you for sharing your heartfelt story, and the love you have for life. I am so very glad I came upon your craft and sewing ideas. You speak volumes with your honesty, and I for one love that. I look forward to following your site and Joy.

    Reply
  5. Sandi Queen says

    December 4, 2020 at 12:27 am

    Like Emily, I too, have stumbled onto your website and as I go through it, find that you are an amazing woman with an over-the-top attitude. I was similarly stricken with a dad who passed on 60 years ago, when I was 7. Mom was a stay-at-home mom who could either be found in the sewing room ar volunteering or at the stables. She passed away 15 years ago and I still miss her; so in some ways we are sisters (I’m the older one!). I just added you to my email so I don’t miss a thing. I will keep snooping around your website and also look forward to the newsletters. Keep it going, kid! You are loved more than you know…

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. On Seeking Joy, and #TheDailyJoyProject Instagram Challenge - Elle Croft says:
    January 3, 2019 at 11:18 am

    […] image accompanies an amazing post about choosing joy by Oh Yay […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




oh hi there, i’m Emily!

I am a believer, dreamer, photographer and maker! I use almond extract in all of my baking, have a problem hitting the snooze button and I truly believe that smiling can change the world!

Learn more about me HERE!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Looking for something?

Popular posts!

DIY felt christmas garland, DIY Christmas bulb ornaments, DIY christmas bulb garland, how to make a felt christmas garland, DIY christmas garland ideas, christmas bulb DIY, christmas bulb decorating, colorful christmas garland, colorful christmas decor DIY

How to make a felt Christmas bulb garland (or ornaments)

How to DIY a colorful wall mural, colorful wall mural, joyful wall mural, in home mural, how to make an easy colorful wall mural, dining room mural, house mural, how to paint a wall, diagonal grid on wall

Our colorful, diagonal grid dining room mural + my urge to paint more!

Fruit slice wet bag pattern, watermelon pouch pattern, janome memory maker sewing machine, fruit pouch swimsuit bag, swimsuit wet bag pattern, free wet bag sewing pattern

How to make a fruit slice summer swimsuit wet bag + my first project as a Janome maker (!!!)

DIY costume, how to make a planner costume, Simplified planner costume, Emily ley planner costume, DIY halloween costume, easy DIY costume

A DIY planner costume + my creative endeavor for 2019!

Categories

  • All
  • Costumes
  • Cricut + SVG files
  • DIYs
  • Donuts
  • Holiday
  • Ice Cream
  • Kids
  • Life
  • Murals
  • Painting
  • Paper Crafts
  • phone backgrounds
  • Printables
  • Recipes
  • Sewing
  • Uncategorized
  • Yarn + Fibers
One of my most favorite things about painting is t One of my most favorite things about painting is that it 9284% transforms any space! Like, this very usual under the stairs spot in our house is fastly becoming a happy, play space for our kids. I kinda wish I could paint rainbow stripes in my closet or bathroom now too!! 🎨
And yes, I diiidddd use our cross country skis to make these straight edge lines. Gotta use what you got, eh!? ❤️😂 🎨
When the world feels so dark I want to be the bear When the world feels so dark I want to be the bearer of light (and color....always more color too)! 
But don’t worry, I won’t drink my paint or paint with my coffee today! 😂 Just eager to start a new project with some fresh color in a secret space for my kiddos. 🎨
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkn “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” 
Swipe to see years of Christmas Eve pics against the light of our Christmas tree that make me smile so gosh darn big 🎄Merry Christmas and may you find light tonight and this week and the rest of this holiday season. ❤️
I partnered with @RodgersAndHammerstein to create I partnered with @RodgersAndHammerstein to create this “My Favorite Things” garland inspired by The @SoundOfMusic! I mean, can we all just take a queue from Maria when she tells us to list off our favorite things when we feel scared, mad, hurt, sad or anything in between?!?! Heck, I feel like even singing them like Maria would be the most helpful in the shenanigans of 2020, right? 

Don’t forget to snag the free printables for this holiday garland and watch The #SoundofMusic airing on ABC, tomorrow night, December 20! :)
Felt bulbs felt bulbs, fa, la, la, la, laaaaaa! I’m burying myself in the last bits of holiday crafting for the whole ding dang day....and if it means i can binge @hallmarkchannel along with it, you won’t hear one ounce of a complaint❤️🎄 
also, stock up on any teacher gifts, stocking stuffers or any gifts to share with your besties or neighbors this weekend, use code “holiYAY” for 20% off through Monday 🎉🎄❄️
Here’s the thing about running a small business: Here’s the thing about running a small business: it’s SO fulfilling to see ideas in my head come to actual life on the planet, it’s rewarding to know my hard work is paying for Esthe’s dance class (or our cable bill so I can keep watching cheesy @hallmarkchannel movies), and it’s so incredibly humbling each time an order come through knowing that someone else believes in what I’m doing or loves what I’m making enough to want to put it in their home or give as a gift to someone they love. Like, still surreal kinda! 😭❤️ 
So a giant “I loveeee youuuuuu” on small business Saturday from this sappy, happy business owner that takes over every unused crevice of our kitchen table or island to paint trees this time of the year 😂 
And and and, use code “YAYsmallbiz” for 20% off in my shop this weekend through Monday night. 
Anddddd, please drop any handles of your business or other small businesses you love to shop at below 👇🏼 after all, we’re in this together and I love supporting other creatives! 💛
I mean, what else IS there for brunch on *the best I mean, what else IS there for brunch on *the best* day of the year: CHRISTMAS TREE DAAYYYYY!!! 🎄 ❄️ 🌲 and in case you’re wondering, yes, I did add egg nog to my coffee! 💛❄️
I have a date with this colorful scad of felt andd I have a date with this colorful scad of felt andddddd the @hallmarkchannel. Duh. What else is there to do on a Sunday afternoon!? 
Also, be on the watch for some new products launching this next weekend because, well, the more holiday, the better in my opinion! 🌲❤️
Follow Emily on Insta

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

all rights reserved © oh yay studio 2019

  • About
  • Contact
  • Disclosure
  • Terms
One of my most favorite things about painting is t One of my most favorite things about painting is that it 9284% transforms any space! Like, this very usual under the stairs spot in our house is fastly becoming a happy, play space for our kids. I kinda wish I could paint rainbow stripes in my closet or bathroom now too!! 🎨
And yes, I diiidddd use our cross country skis to make these straight edge lines. Gotta use what you got, eh!? ❤️😂 🎨
When the world feels so dark I want to be the bear When the world feels so dark I want to be the bearer of light (and color....always more color too)! 
But don’t worry, I won’t drink my paint or paint with my coffee today! 😂 Just eager to start a new project with some fresh color in a secret space for my kiddos. 🎨
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkn “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” 
Swipe to see years of Christmas Eve pics against the light of our Christmas tree that make me smile so gosh darn big 🎄Merry Christmas and may you find light tonight and this week and the rest of this holiday season. ❤️
I partnered with @RodgersAndHammerstein to create I partnered with @RodgersAndHammerstein to create this “My Favorite Things” garland inspired by The @SoundOfMusic! I mean, can we all just take a queue from Maria when she tells us to list off our favorite things when we feel scared, mad, hurt, sad or anything in between?!?! Heck, I feel like even singing them like Maria would be the most helpful in the shenanigans of 2020, right? 

Don’t forget to snag the free printables for this holiday garland and watch The #SoundofMusic airing on ABC, tomorrow night, December 20! :)
Felt bulbs felt bulbs, fa, la, la, la, laaaaaa! I’m burying myself in the last bits of holiday crafting for the whole ding dang day....and if it means i can binge @hallmarkchannel along with it, you won’t hear one ounce of a complaint❤️🎄 
also, stock up on any teacher gifts, stocking stuffers or any gifts to share with your besties or neighbors this weekend, use code “holiYAY” for 20% off through Monday 🎉🎄❄️
Here’s the thing about running a small business: Here’s the thing about running a small business: it’s SO fulfilling to see ideas in my head come to actual life on the planet, it’s rewarding to know my hard work is paying for Esthe’s dance class (or our cable bill so I can keep watching cheesy @hallmarkchannel movies), and it’s so incredibly humbling each time an order come through knowing that someone else believes in what I’m doing or loves what I’m making enough to want to put it in their home or give as a gift to someone they love. Like, still surreal kinda! 😭❤️ 
So a giant “I loveeee youuuuuu” on small business Saturday from this sappy, happy business owner that takes over every unused crevice of our kitchen table or island to paint trees this time of the year 😂 
And and and, use code “YAYsmallbiz” for 20% off in my shop this weekend through Monday night. 
Anddddd, please drop any handles of your business or other small businesses you love to shop at below 👇🏼 after all, we’re in this together and I love supporting other creatives! 💛
I mean, what else IS there for brunch on *the best I mean, what else IS there for brunch on *the best* day of the year: CHRISTMAS TREE DAAYYYYY!!! 🎄 ❄️ 🌲 and in case you’re wondering, yes, I did add egg nog to my coffee! 💛❄️
I have a date with this colorful scad of felt andd I have a date with this colorful scad of felt andddddd the @hallmarkchannel. Duh. What else is there to do on a Sunday afternoon!? 
Also, be on the watch for some new products launching this next weekend because, well, the more holiday, the better in my opinion! 🌲❤️
Follow Emily on Insta

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in