Meet Chelsea Craft | Fiber Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chelsea Craft and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chelsea, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I can’t really say I had a thought process of any kind. I’ve allowed everything to develop organically. I problem solve as I go along. Building a new business has required me to put on many different hats and learn new trades from building my own website, to product photography, to learning digital design platforms. The product is a small percentage of what goes into building a business. As the business grows I am learning and evolving and figuring out what clients like, need, or expect from me. 

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I have been working in a corporate job for nearly 10 years and the monotony had been driving me crazy. I always knew I was creative but didn’t know what to do with my energy. I would get jealous of my friends that had “figured it out” creatively. I finally started dabbling around and realized my potential. As someone with anxiety issues, creating art has become extremely therapeutic for me. I have really discovered a new freedom by working with different mediums and playing with color. I am just beginning to find my footing in a town filled with incredibly inspiring and motivating artists. I am very passionate about creating and would love the ability to expand into different mediums. I think saying “yes” has been my key to succeeding. I generally will do any pop-up, gift show, event, art gallery (pre-covid) and this has opened doors to meeting new people and being a part of more events. My advice is to keep pursuing whatever it is you want with positivity. Say “yes” to opportunities because you never know where they will take you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Let’s make this scenario pre-covid because right now the only place I go is the grocery store and home. Fort Worth is my home so I will stay around here. I love going down Magnolia Street. You have amazing restaurants and nightlife there. The Boiled Owl would most definitely be on my stop as it is my “home bar (where everybody knows your name)”.

There has been a lot happening on South Main in this past year. I had some very cool pals Morgan Mercantile open up a shop and it seems like everything is blooming around them. You can hit up the new tiki bar called, Tarantula Lounge, and then head next door to Tinies for some food. My husband and I are board game nerds and loved going to Game Theory on S. Main and trying out new games and enjoying their delicious cocktail menu.

I’m going to say it… I love the Stockyards!  It is by far the most amazing people watching you could imagine. Also, if you are a meat eater it is the place to go get a steak. My husband and I both ride motorcycles and we would post up in front of the White Elephant and watch people walk by.

If you are going downtown you should go eat on the rooftop at Reata and get the tamales. Then walk to Sundance Square and spend your evening at Scat Lounge. Scat is hidden down an ally and they have live jazz music and it just kind of takes you away to another place and time.

I can’t talk about Fort Worth without talking about all the amazing galleries we have here: The Fort Worth Modern Art Museum, the Kimbell Art Museum and the Amon Carter. If you come to Fort Worth you would be crazy not to check out what’s going on at these incredible establishments. These are just a few of my favorite spots but if you are coming to visit and need more advice on places to go feel free to message me on social media.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout my community of Fort Worth. This town truly supports and nourishes new artists or anyone who is willing to put themselves out there. I am thankful to all my friends and family who have come to every event or art show I’ve ever done. I am especially thankful to my husband who is patient when I am stressed and encourages me to push harder.

Website: craftmadegoods.com
Instagram: @craftmadegoods
Facebook: facebook.com/craftmadegoods

Image Credits
photographer: Jessica Irvin