If you’ve ever unwrapped a package from Salty Heifer Studio and wondered, “How did this much sass and sparkle get into one box?” the answer is simple: caffeine, a little chaos, and Spotify turned up loud enough to keep me moving.
If the studio lights are on, Spotify is on. The groups that stay on loop are Kings of Leon, The Lumineers, Whisky Myers, and Mumford & Sons- just to name a few, because that mix keeps the vibe equal parts gritty, feel-good, and “okay, let’s make something cool.”
And here’s the fun part: I don’t just hit play and hope for the best. Different artists fit different creative moods. Kings of Leon is my “put your head down and WORK” soundtrack—great for the repetitive stuff where you need momentum like computer work, pressing shirts, and creating that template tumbler… you get it. The Lumineers is for when I’m in my soft-but-still-salty feelings and I’m mapping out a design that needs a little heart. Whisky Myers is straight-up grit, perfect for powering through a stack of orders when my to-do list is acting offensive. And Mumford & Sons? That’s the “print baby print” energy.
Lately I’ve been stuck (in the best way) on two specific tracks: “The Man Who Came Back” by Jessie Murph and “Run Away to Mars” by Talk. Jessie Murph has that gritty, don’t-mess-with-me energy that makes me feel like I could label 50 packages and still have time to fix whatever I just spilled. Then “Run Away to Mars” hits with a totally different vibe more airy, more “okay breathe… now make it pretty.” It’s the one for choosing colors, designs and the little details that take something from cute to “oh, that’s it.”
That’s why the playlist matters. That music keeps the creative flow going, and it ends up in every handmade gift order, made with heart, a little sass, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting; without knocking over the glitter… most days.
What is your go to music choice for specific activities in your work space? I would love to know.