INSPIRED SHE: Kelly's Craft Story

Last month, I was excited to start the "Inspired She" series. Today I would like to share my own inspired journey into the world of papercrafting.

I grew up in a creative family but never had any real passion for arts and crafts. I remember my mom whipping out her hot glue gun creating beautiful floral wreaths and decorating Summer straw hats. I helped and enjoyed spending time with mom but I was like, "Nah, not my thing."

Years later, when I was dating my husband, he pointed out how creative I was. He saw it in the way I dressed and put myself together. I think he was seeing glimmers of my creativity before I saw it.

Then in 2006, I was going through dark depression and anxiety and just shut down from everyone and everything. I was so tired and just needed to recharge my batteries and recover.

As a way to stay connected to my friends and family, I thought to make my first ever Christmas cards. Overwhelming joy swept over me after I made this first set of cards. I was now inspired to make more.

I had new found energy to find and visit local scrapbook stores for supplies. This is when I discovered how life giving, soothing, rewarding and fun papercrafting could be.

One day, I was at a friend's blog which lead me to Two Peas in a Bucket papercrafting website. Finding this site was like finding an oasis. I had no idea card making and scrapbooking was so big. That site was full of resources and introduced me to a new world. Plus, I had a place to share my cards.

I got a note from a sweet lady named Cindy that invited me to a group on the message boards called the "Pokey Peas." From that day on, I found a wonderful and supportive group of friends. They cheered for me and encouraged me as I was growing my new found passion.

Early card from 2010

Meanwhile, my friends and family were so excited about the cards I was sending them and suggested I start a business. So my husband and I did in 2011 and K. Simone Designs was born. Since then, my cards have been received by loved ones, women's organizations and even a few celebs and public figures. Also, we sold our cards at "Inventori," actress Tori Spelling's former store.

Cards we donated to a NBA wives event in 2012.

After a few years of making scrapbook pages and cards, I wanted to learn how to draw and eventually paint. This lead me to Donna Downey, Marion Smith of Prima and Julie Fei-Fan Balzar. I loved watching their videos on art journaling and painting and this further inspired me. I never liked to draw but suddenly I was practicing every day for a while. The next thing I knew, I was making big leaps into art and having a grand 'ole time.

Me proudly sharing my first floral paintings in 2010.

Since then, I have surprised myself with interest in other creative activities like writing, home decorating, guitar lessons, make-up and fashion, baking, crocheting and even floral arrangement.

The thing that gets me is this creativity has been in me my whole life and I never knew it. What a wonderful time to shine.

Crafting has been a joy for me and a life teacher. I have discovered so much about myself that maybe I wouldn't have learned if I hadn't hit that dark time. As a Christian, I do believe God is guiding my steps and helped me uncover a whole side of me that was ready to emerge and celebrate.

So to all my artsy craftsy friends out there I hope this inspired you to keep crafting. Not only is it good medicine but it is exciting! To all my friends who have never picked up washi tape or a hot glue gun, give a try. You might not get hooked but you will have fun. Get your craft party on!!!