Abby Shaner shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Abby, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Outside of work I find joy in the things most people find joy in. My family, my kids, my husband…our dogs and our bird Tango.
I find joy in thrifting and creating. I like writing and spending time outdoors.
We have two little kids so we are always finding something. To make the weekend fun and enjoyable!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Abby! I’m a biophilic design artist who works with preserved moss and natural elements to create art that brings the outdoors inside. My work is all about connection- to nature, to beauty, to those little moments of peace we all crave.
I started this journey because I couldn’t stop playing with textures, colors, and organic shapes… and a huge love for nature and plants and it turned into a business that feels like pure magic.
What makes my brand special is that no two pieces are ever the same. Each one has its own personality, its own little story. Some are bold and sculptural, others are soft and whimsical, but they all have that grounding, nature-meets-art vibe that transforms a space.
Right now, I’m working on some large-scale moss installations (think entire walls turned into living-feeling art!) as well as smaller pieces that make homes feel warm and alive. My favorite part is when people see a piece and say, “Oh wow, I didn’t even know I needed this until now.”
At the end of the day, my art is about joy, curiosity, and bringing a little wonder into everyday life.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I think what breaks the bonds between people is as simple as disconnection… not just physical distance, but when we stop truly seeing and listening to one another.
Fear, comparison, pride, even the constant noise of everyday life can quietly wedge themselves between us. We forget that we’re on the same team, that at our core, we all want to be understood, loved, and valued.
What restores those bonds is presence…slowing down enough to share a story, a laugh, or even silence together. I believe beauty, art, and nature all play a role in that restoration. They give us common ground, something larger than ourselves to gather around. Art especially invites us to be vulnerable- to feel, to connect, to remember what makes us human.
At the end of the day, bonds are repaired when we lead with curiosity instead of judgment, compassion instead of comparison, and when we allow ourselves to be a little messy, a little real. That’s where connection grows roots again. It’s easy to get tangled in our own stuff. We all really do need eachother.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The deepest wounds of my life have come through the most awful loss. Losing our son, Woody, and our stillborn son, Gabriel, left cracks in my heart that will never fully close. Those moments reshaped me…stripped me bare, made me question everything, and for a long time I wasn’t sure how I’d find light again.
Alongside grief, my husband and I walked through many, many hard years together- the kind that could have broken us apart. But we chose to keep showing up. To keep holding on to each other, even when it would have been easier to let go. That choice- not once, but over and over… is what saved us.
Healing hasn’t meant forgetting or “moving on.” It’s been about learning to carry those losses with love, letting them shape me into someone softer but stronger, and much more present. Art has been one of the ways I’ve healed… creating with natural elements reminds me that beauty grows out of brokenness, and that even in the darkest seasons, life finds a way to push through. After all, nature does not apologize for its scars. It thrives because of them. And I strive to be the same.
Those wounds will always be part of me, but they’ve also taught me the power of resilience, of love that doesn’t quit, and of finding meaning in the very places I thought would undo me.
And the healing will never stop, I’m not fully healed. But I get to chose everyday to see the light or be in the dark. Each one of those days has healing power. I learn something new about grief everyday.
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?
I’d say the public version of me is mostly the real me… just a little more polished around the edges. And a filter on the top.
I’m the same person who loves nature, creativity, and connection… but the world doesn’t always see the messy bun, the piles of laundry, the days when self-doubt creeps in, or when I eat chocolate chips straight out of the bag for dinner..
What people see publicly- my art, my words, my love for creating beautiful spaces is VERY much me. But there’s also the quieter side, the side that wrestles with grief, the harder days of motherhood, and what it means to keep going. Both versions are true, and I think that’s important.
The difference is that in public I try to share the parts of me that might inspire or uplift others. Privately, I let myself just be human. And honestly? The older I get, the more those two versions are starting to merge. What you see is who I am…just with maybe a little less chaos in the background.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I also feel peace in the small, ordinary moments with my family…when we’re all together at the lake, in nature, laughing around a table, or when my kids curl up next to me and the world feels safe and simple for just a second.
And honestly, I find peace when I’m creating. It’s almost like time disappears…my brain quiets, my heart softens, and I get lost in the textures and colors until I feel grounded again.
For me, peace isn’t really about escaping life ..it’s about leaning into it. It’s those moments when I remember to breathe, to notice, and to let myself just be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Woodsolstonestudio.com
- Instagram: @woodsolstone_studio
- Facebook: @woodsolstonestudio
