Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alika Schwartz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Alika , thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

Timing is everything! Starting too soon can lead to impostor syndrome and lots of trial and error. Starting too late, which I believe I did, I felt as if I missed the boat. The market is saturated and I am just one small voice lost in the Sea of Creatives.

I’ve always been a crafter though. Some of my fondest childhood memories include coloring with Crayola crayons at the kitchen table with my mom or making a mosaic during Girl Scouts. I have been doing little projects like this forever.

Then, in 2020, we moved to Columbia, South Carolina. With all of the pandemic restrictions, I was having the hardest time making friends. To help fill the void, I decided to open Sincerely, Schwartz on Etsy selling my papercraft kits. I also started to share behind-the-scenes peeks at my motherhood and military spouse journey.

I’ve met so many wonderful content creators and creative individuals since then. It’s been a blessing that’s helped me make friends I would have never found any other way. On top of that, it’s been so special to have a job where I can share creative magical moments with my kids. They love helping me with the design and color selection of the craft kit. Of course, their favorite part is being the first to assemble a new kit!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi there! I’m Alika. One of my favorite hobbies is crafting. I was introduced to the world of paper crafting by my good friend Lindsay (@Lindsayslayouts). She is the Papercraft queen! In 2016 she created beautiful card kits for our MOPS group. I noticed how assembling the card kits sparked such joy in me and that really turned me towards paper crafts. I’m happy to say that the crafting community welcomed me with arms wide open.

Over the years I have gained numerous skills and experience. I have created crafts and kits for small groups, girl scouts, classrooms, and custom party boxes.

I believe my willingness to try new things sets me apart. I have a community that supports my dream and I am so thankful for their encouragement.

I am proudest of one of my early craft kits. I made bunnies, eggs, carrots, and basket tags. It was a lot of fun gathering the materials and creating such a fun craft.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of Sincerely, Schwartz is the quality time spent with the kids. Between designing and assembling craft kits to going to the craft store and cultivating ideas together. It has allowed them to unleash their creativity in ways that aren’t feasible elsewhere. One day I would love to own a maker’s space to give others a chance to create without limits.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Pivoting is the name of the game! As a military spouse moving and deployments are normal in my life. I’ve had to hold off on seasonal launches, scale my business back, and pack up my entire creative space due to an upcoming move. Honestly, I don’t when I will release a new craft kit. Between unpacking and the arrival of baby #4, we are going to have our hands full. I may focus on blogging, (how we are creating magical memories as a family) for the time being.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sincerelyschwartz.com
• Instagram: @sincerely.schwartz
• Facebook: sincerelyschwartz

Image Credits
Karly Richardson Ashley Denk