Samantha Rogan, known as CryptoStacys, started from 0 and began producing digital art NFTs as a side hobby that allowed her to explore technology through her passion for drawing. This month, she celebrated surpassing 1,000 Ethereum in trade volume and selling over $2 million in digital NFT artwork.
"I had always looked at this as a new and fun way to combine art and technology; I never dreamed it would take off," said CryptoStacys.
Non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, are a type of digital signature that lives on a blockchain acting as a unique identifier for a file such as music or images. It allows digital artists to create a "signature" of ownership for their work in the same way that traditional artists do.
CryptoStacys’ Hunnys are a collection of 10,000 NFTs that showcase different hand-drawn elements which are randomly combined to make unique characters. On Sept. 10, 2021, the Hunnys collection sold out.
Hunnys is CryptoStacys second NFT collection. In March 2021, CryptoStacys created one of the earliest known women-led art projects on the blockchain (Stacys) named after her mother and featuring iconic women characters, making her a pioneer for women in the NFT industry.
Hunnys are traded on the website OpenSea.io using the Ethereum blockchain. Owning a Hunny grants the holder access to perks such as early access to other NFT collections, free giveaways, art airdrops, and the opportunity to join a thriving online community of fellow Hunnys holders.
"One of the biggest things that differentiate Hunnys from other NFT projects is our commitment to being in this for the long haul. We have been growing our community since very early on, and I’m dedicated to bridging the gap between the art world of the present and future," said CryptoStacys.
Since the Hunnys collection sold out, CryptoStacys has left her day job to pursue NFT-backed art full-time.
"I feel honoured to be part of this historic moment where artists all over the world are getting the opportunity to change their lives using technology. Now we are looking for ways to grow and give back. This year we created an innovative blockchain-based store with merchandise purchasable with cryptocurrency to help expand the use-cases of Ethereum. We also release free courses to empower other creators to build their own collections without expensive fees. Currently, we’re developing a closet system to allow people to customize their NFTs with new clothes and accessories to truly represent who they want to be online. Ultimately, our goal is to make crypto a fun, open and exciting experience for everyone involved, not something mysterious or scary."
Although there has been a recent drop in crypto prices as well as negative PR regarding NFTs, the community is stronger than ever, and CryptoStacys does not plan to leave anytime soon.
"I’m not worried about the challenges our community faces in the grand scheme of things. There’s always going to be highs and lows with any new technology, but we are building something much deeper," said CryptoStacys. "NFTs aren’t only a place for scammers; it’s also a place to find new friends, express yourself, and discover people who truly appreciate your work."
