Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha L. Mason.

Hi Natasha L., please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

Although the Creations By N.L.Mason, LLC brand is recognized for delicious looking cake candles, my Brand’s origin story consists of my handmade diaper cakes. What are diaper cakes you ask? Well, I’ll give you a hint. Depending on how your recent Valentine’s Day went, you may need a diaper cake soon. Haha!

Diaper cakes are not edible, yet, they are an incredible way to give the gift of diapers. Approximately 75 to 100 diapers are shaped into various forms, such as a tiered cake, a bassinet style, or stuffed animal pattern to present to an expectant mother. Diaper cakes usually match the theme of the baby shower or the baby’s nursery. Take this journey with me, as I share how an act of faith transitioned me from a hobbyist to entrepreneurship.

The year was 2014, as most crafters do, I wanted to provide a unique handmade gift for my dear friend’s baby shower. After researching traditional diaper cakes, I added my personal flare, as I presented my friend with 100 diapers in the shape of a bassinet, accented with diaper wheels, and a removable diaper baby to boot! The bassinet cake was well received at her shower, as well as social media. Although it gained immediate inquires, I still deemed it as a hobby.

In March of 2016, I attended a “Passion to Income” seminar for hobbyist desiring to turn their passion into a business. Taught by Dr. Faith Wokoma of Warring Ministries International, she expressed, we all have an “oil” to give God–something we deem as all we have. Based on 1 Kings 17:1-16, just to summarize: a poor widow makes a cake for the prophet Elijah with the last of her oil and flour. Thereafter, she miraculously never ran out of food. Dr. Faith released an anointing for entrepreneurship based on that scripture. Within the hour, I received my first diaper cake order. My mother insightfully said, “You just need to make the cake!”Thus, my diaper cake business, “Make the Cake” was born. To hear more about my diaper cake to scented candle cake journey, checkout my previous CanvasRebel/Bold Journey/Voyage interviews.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

As most artisans can tell you, we have our hands in all things creative from art, drama or media. Due to no fault of my own, I was involved in a nearly fatal car accident in 2007. Two major reconstructive surgeries were required to restore dexterity in my dominant right hand. Every time I see a milk jug, I chuckle a bit because I had to carry them for physical therapy to gain strength in my hand. Who knew that was a thing? Haha! Using a child’s alphabet book, I had to relearn to trace letters and shapes. Frustrated, I threw my pen across the room and started writing, scriptures. When those scriptures seeped into my heart, things changed. Doctors and physical therapists no longer saw my hands as useful for the foreseeable future, and the prognosis was bleak. Coupling that with weakness from myasthenia gravis in 2012, medically, the situation seemed hopeless. That was the perfect set up for God! Where Doctors saw weakness, God placed His perfect strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). What sets me apart is, I’m not just making beautiful works of art, I’m displaying a miracle.

One of the struggles I’ve had throughout the years is how to narrow down and streamline what sells the best, what’s easiest to make physically, and resist the urge to just go with what’s popular.

My gifts are God-given; therefore, so is my direction. I release and create nothing without prayerful intention and skill. It is indeed a beautiful challenge to determine which creation to sell, as it shows diversity and variety. Most importantly, my task is to highlight the multifaceted nature and miraculous healing power of God through my gifts.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

Prior to my candles taking precedence, I’ve shipped my customized diaper cakes throughout the US. I love receiving pictures of my diaper cakes being used as centerpieces, or as a welcoming focal point for the baby shower’s guest book. What sets my diaper cakes apart is, my entire cake could be deconstructed for full use. My bassinets were designed with added storage for the nursery, and even a backing has been used to hang as a photo on the nursey wall. I added a personalized, sentimental touch of a themed baby’s blankie, outfit, and stuffed animal. I am most proud of how I’ve provided a keepsake that stays with the growing babies, even till this day. I now receive pictures of now toddlers, still refusing to part with their “blankie” from their diaper cake. Babies outgrow cribs, clothes and accessories, but those memories will be cherished forever. Hence my mission, making recipients feel uniquely cherished with a handmade gift.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?

The Covid-19 crisis indeed made us all more careful, sentimental and aware. As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned to always offer a product or service to consumers that evokes positive experiences, functionality, or arouses nostalgia. The Covid-19 crisis taught us to remain flexible while learning to shift abruptly. I applied that same principle, when shifting from diaper cakes to candles.

Covid wrecked our standard lives, without apology. Many businesses closed, and had to start again. My prayer is the tragedy left the remnant of our resilience and not our trauma.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://creationsbynlmason.etsy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CreationsByNLMason
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiftsByNatasha
• Twitter: YummyCandles4U

Image Credits

Photos By: Creations By N.L.Mason, LLC

Personalized Photo: Background: Canva