Reader of the Week: Taryn Hipp

A good cup of coffee isn't the only thing this crafty gal can serve up

By Molly Lynch
Published: November 10th, 2008 | 12:34pm

Willow Grove, Pennsylvania native Taryn Hipp knows there’s a lot more to love about her home state than people give it credit for. When the 30-year-old Venus Zine reader isn’t jamming to Jonas Brothers songs (she blames it on her 8-year-old niece) or brewing a friendly cup of coffee, she’s running her own DIY business — which is why we think she’s just too damn cool.

What do you love most about your job?

I love chatting with our customers while I make them coffee. I've always liked working retail because of the social aspect, but when you throw coffee in the mix, it's a dream come true!

What music are you into right now?

I would be lying if I didn't say that "Lovebug" by the Jonas Brothers is my current favorite song, but don't tell anyone! I can't help it, I hang out with my niece a lot. I'm also all about Gogol Bordello who are playing Philly on New Year’s Eve.

How has living in Pennsylvania shaped your creativity?

I'm lucky to have grown up in a really amazing place. A lot of people picture Pennsylvania as cornfields and little else. Sure, we've got our share of cornfields and farms, but we also have amazing artists and musicians who live on those farms. Being surrounded by such creativity (not to mention an outrageously creative family of artists and musicians) really helped me become the person I am today, someone who believes in the core belief that creating something with your own two hands is more rewarding than anything else.

Who's a DIY idol of yours?

I adore Faythe Levine. I am the kinda lady who needs to be immersed in a million projects. I find myself constantly exhausted because of it, but Faythe does it with such style. The girl has super powers.

What's the first thing you ever made?

Growing up, my father was a photographer. For me, it was about being someone else's muse for a long time. It wasn't until I became a teenager and started seeing that I could also create my own art that I started taking pictures, reconstructing my clothes, and crafting in any way possible. Now, it seems almost foreign to me to go a day without making something.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I always thought I knew the answer to that, but recent events have proven that nothing is set in stone. I would love to be surrounded by my friends and family on a daily basis, traveling as much as possible, spending time with friends creating art and music. Basically, I want to keep living the life I'm living now because it's perfect.