We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amanda Holmes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

When I was in high school, I loved art class. Growing up, art was a passion. I remember as a little girl going to work with my daddy in the summertime. He worked at a dealership and would prep new cars that would soon be put on the lot for sale. I would sit in his bay at work and draw objects. I was blessed to have a mother who taught me to sew by hand and on a sewing machine at a young age. I still use hers today. Portraits were never my favorite, but things in nature and vehicles were. One of my youngest proud moments was drawing his friend’s Harley Davidson on the back of a license plate tag. From that moment on, it was a vision, that I could sit and draw whatever was in front of me. My parents always wanted me to go to school for arts, but that was not a vision I had for myself. I loved art and crafting, but as a hobby, not as a career. Throughout my life, I have always loved being creative. I begin my career as a correctional officer. After nearly 10 years, I took a career change and began my second career as a special education teacher. I was able to bring art into the classroom and use my knowledge to bring out their special talents. I then began a side business called “Mandy’s Creations. With this business, many ideas were evolved. When COVID hit us, I made over 200 facial masks for the NC Veterans Home in Kinston, NC. I then began selling them as part of my business. From there I gradually added items such as gel ink pens, tumblers, shirts, car coasters, license plates, earrings, and socks. I started my business using epoxy and then upgraded to sublimation.

I have a few meaningful projects that I have done. Growing up my mother would hand-make quilts. My husband’s cousin contacted me about taking her daughter’s volleyball jerseys and shirts to make a quilt. This was the toughest, but probably most meaningful project. I love to make each item personal and want them to last with memories. Another project was taking my Soror’s late husband’s Army uniform and turning it into a foot blanket. These are memories that will last forever and things that loved ones can cherish. A friend of mine provided me with pictures of her late daughter and father. I created a collage to put on a cup and handbag for her.

I love to take photos of clients and put them on cups for them to have these moments all in one place. Pictures are memories that we have. I lost my mother in 2012 to cancer and I love seeing her pictures and memories we have and things that were hers that now I cherish since she is no longer with me.

Amanda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

applied for an assistant position, but with my education and behavioral experience, I was offered a teaching position. Since then, I have been teaching since. It has its challenges, but mostly it is very rewarding. I started my business when I was out of school in the summer and I needed some more income. The business is to help with expenses that come with children in school and the farm. Our son is in FFA (Future Farmers of America) and 4H Robotics. There are lots of expenses with traveling. Our daughter is a cheerleader and those costs are all parent expenses. The business helps fill the gaps for those expenses. I am mostly proud of my work. I take pride in my work and each item is hand-created by me. Most clients tell me what they are looking for and I create a design. I love to create tumblers. This is my favorite item. I have a quick turnaround time with my products. I wouldn’t say I like to wait for products that I purchase, therefore, I like to be quick with my finish time. Many of my product ideas come from something I see that I like and may want to put my touch on it. I went through a period where I was making door wreaths. I wanted some special ones for myself and after making them, I had others inquiring about them. Being a teacher, I make educational learning binders for all ages. I customize these to include pictures of the child and things they like so they can get excited about learning. I recently learned to crochet. My co-teacher taught me quickly and I began making handmade socks or slippers with yarn. I love to expand my knowledge and learn new things.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to create designs that use photographic memories that will bring happiness to the recipient. I want these designs and items to have memories that people can cherish for years. What better way to show off memories or perfect pictures on a cup that is filled with your favorite drink?

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I built my audience through social media, particularly Facebook. I have an Instagram page, but I am not too familiar with it. Once I started producing products for myself, I would post them on Facebook and create albums with my projects. It was then that my friends began to purchase items and showcase them. Eventually, I had others reaching out to me near and far asking about the projects. I have made masks for a school in Charlotte, NC. I have made items that were sent to other states. I do not limit where I will ship. I think for me, starting out, I used word of mouth and social media. I still do not have a website with my products and I often get asked why not. I am a full-time teacher, mother, and wife. I do not want to get bombarded with orders that I cannot fulfill in a timely manner.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Holmeswifey92218
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amanda.w.penny