Adventures in Crafting and Entrepreneurship: A Whirlwind of Creativity and Chaos

Hello fellow crafters and entrepreneurial spirits! I’m here to share the dizzying tale of my journey from a determined young entrepreneur with a newspaper route and award-winning Christmas ornaments to an unstoppable adult with a crafting empire (ok maybe not an empire) and a kaleidoscope of business ventures. Grab your glue guns and buckle up, because my story might just give you whiplash!

Starting my art career young

As a kid, my entrepreneurial journey began with the classic lemonade stand and quickly escalated to a newspaper route that doubled as a customer service boot camp. But the real twist came when the folks at Mystic Seaport asked me to kindly step aside from their Christmas Ornament contest because, well, I won too many times. What can I say? When I see a challenge, I craft a solution!

I used to teach macrame classes

Fast forward a few years (okay, maybe more than a few), and my crafting prowess has only grown. From launching an online pet store (because why not?) to operating a crafting store out of a quaint vintage trailer, my adventures have been as varied as the beads in my extensive jewelry-making kit. I’ve dabbled in dog sitting, taught macrame classes, ran a vintage resale business in Boston and even ventured into the world of 3D pens with Rick’s kiddos—turning every school project into a crafty masterpiece.

Our rock garden

Speaking of crafting, let me tell you about my mantra: “I can make that.” It’s led me down many a rabbit hole, resulting in a $500 supply run to save $20 on an item. But hey, who’s counting when you end up with something totally unique? My creations range from intricately designed jewelry and bespoke painted shoes to Cricut-crafted bags and thrift flips that would make even the most seasoned upcycler swoon.

my up cycled vintage suitcase I turned into a side table

Now, with Rick’s kids in the mix, my crafting space has transformed into a bustling hub of creativity. We’ve tackled everything from custom t-shirts and hats to rock gardens and seasonal decorations. It’s a joy to see their bright, imaginative minds at work, constantly dreaming up the next cool project.

I used to own a vintage resale business

For our next craft adventure, we're diving into the shimmering world of seaglass I collected on the sunny shores of Puerto Rico. Imagine transforming these ocean-tumbled gems into dazzling jewelry or a stunning mosaic piece that captures the spirit of the sea. Let's channel the waves' creativity and make something truly spectacular!

My skydiving shoes I painted

While my wallet might appreciate a bit more focus in my crafting and business endeavors, where’s the fun in that? The thrill of starting something new, the joy of creating with my hands, and the laughter of crafting with loved ones are worth every penny.

My vintage trailer mobile craft shop in SoCal

So, to all the creative souls and budding entrepreneurs out there, I say this: embrace the chaos! Whether you're transforming thrift store finds or starting your own array of businesses, the world is your oyster (or should I say, paint palette?). And who knows? Maybe your crafting table or business idea is just waiting for that spark of creativity.

Sign I made with seaglass

Feeling inspired? Share your latest project or start-up story with me, or better yet, let's collaborate on something magical. After all, in a world full of templates and tutorials, nothing beats an original. Reach out, and let’s make something amazing together!

Happy crafting (and entrepreneuring)!

Mid project. I took silversmithing classes

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