We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angela Thomasson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angela below.

Hi Angela, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

In 2018, before I started Three Elle Creations, I wanted décor for my home that wouldn’t break the bank. In particular, I wanted something San Diego Padres related, however finding anything proved to be a huge undertaking. I came up with nothing.

It was then I made the decision to take matters into my own hands. I ended up making my own wreath. I thought and thought about how I could make my own wreath, what materials I’d need, and what I wanted it to look like.

As a person that was not really crafty or even into crafts, I surprised myself when I saw the end result. At the time, I thought it was the most beautiful thing in the world. It meant a lot to me though because I made it! I was so proud of myself. Fast forward almost 4 years later; I look at it like, “You thought THAT was beautiful?” I digress.

In February of 2019, I decided to go from hobby to business owner. In the beginning, I was selling the Padres wreaths I made. Since then it has progressed (or blossomed, if you will) into something more than I could’ve ever thought. I went from making Padres wreaths to a wide variety of wreaths in various styles for all occasions and seasons. Wreaths then turned into floral home décor items, designing and printing my own sublimation signs, other various signs not sublimated, ornaments, etc. Now you can’t stop me from trying to make everything!

As we all know, in 2020, our world came to a standstill. The newest word in our vocabulary became Covid and our lives have been forever changed. Many passed away…some sooner than one could’ve expected.

One day, I was working in my craft room (which was the garage), and one of our neighbors walked up my driveway to talk to me. She said she had seen some of my work when she would drive-by and she LOVED what I did. She then mentioned one of her brothers recently passed away from Covid. She continued on to say she wanted a REALLY big wreath for his celebration of life. She loved my work so much, she asked ME to make it! I was beside myself. This was one of the first times this had happened to me. The fact that a complete stranger loved what I did, really boosted my confidence and self-esteem.

From colors to flowers to ribbon, we talked about what she wanted it to look like. She then said, “But I trust you. You’re work is so beautiful, I know it’s going to turn out great!” Talk about pressure!

I gathered the materials I wanted to make the wreath and was really excited to get started on it. As I worked on it, I realized what I do was something bigger than me. It was more than I could even comprehend. A family entrusted me to make something celebrating their loved one.

When I finished the wreath, I took a step back to REALLY get to see it. Just like that, my heart was so overwhelmed with what I had done for this family. I cried! When my neighbor came to pick up the wreath she LOVED it! She loved it so much she had her family come outside to look at it.

What I had done for that family, I have now done for several others. I’m thankful I decided to take the leap of faith to start my business. I realized I had a gift. A gift I wanted to continue to make for others. What I do has become more than fulfilling. It gave me a purpose. A reason to serve others. I’m honored to be able to do so. I love making creative visions a reality!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello! I’m Angela Thomasson and I’m the proud business owner of Three Elle Creations. I got into my industry by accident. I wanted décor for my home. In particular, I wanted something San Diego Padres related. I came up with nothing. I could only find items for more popular teams.

I decided to take matters into my own hands. I made my own wreath. Growing up, I wasn’t the crafty type. I sure surprised myself though when I saw the end result. It may not have been the most beautiful thing in the world, but I made it. I was so proud of myself.

In February of 2019, I decided to go from hobby to business owner. Coming up with a business name isn’t the easiest. I reached out to friends and family on social media to help me. A friend privately messaged me and said, “How about Three Elle?” I was confused. I didn’t know what it meant. She then continued to explain that my favorite quote is, “Live, Laugh, Love”, with the 3 L’s representing the quote. In that moment, Three Elle Creations was born.

I went from making Padres wreaths to a wide variety of wreaths in various styles for all occasions and seasons. Wreaths then turned into floral home décor items, designing and printing my own sublimation signs, other various signs not sublimated, ornaments, etc. There are so many projects, yet so little time. Locally, I also teach wreath and ornament classes. I want to dive into this more by finding venues I can hold classes to continue to serve my community.

One of my most favorite items to make are custom requests. I absolutely love making my client’s vision a reality. I am able to bring to life what my client is envisioning. They have an idea in mind, they can’t find it in a store; I bring it to life. My business is year-round. What I underestimated was all the holidays wreaths and other home décor items are made for.

My items are one-of-a-kind. You won’t find a carbon copy anywhere. I pride myself and my designs on being unique. I feel like my work speaks for itself. You can tell by looking at one of my wreaths how much I love what I do. I put my heart and soul into what I do. I make items as if I was going to be putting them in my own home.

I realized what I do was something bigger than me. It was more than I could even comprehend. To be entrusted by complete strangers to make something for them is humbling.

I’m most proud of the fact that my creations bring such joy to others. The look on others faces seeing what I have made is such a great feeling. Some days it’s the pick me up I needed.

I’m thankful I decided to take the leap of faith to start my business. I realized I had a gift. A gift I wanted to continue to make for others. A gift I knew I needed to share. What I do has become more than fulfilling. It gave me a purpose. A reason to serve others. I’m honored to be able to do so. I love making creative visions a reality!

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

Persistence is the key to success. With that said, it’s doesn’t come free. It takes a lot of hard work and determination to be successful. Building your audience on social media is no exception.

For example, I knew I had to start doing Lives on Facebook in order to engage with new crafters, clients who want to buy; even seasoned crafters. In December of 2020, I did 30 Lives In 30 Days. Every day, I made something. At this time, my parents had to temporarily move in with us. My brother was going through cancer treatment.

Crafting was my saving grace. My place to escape and interact with other like-minded individuals. This, in turn, built my following.

I recently hit 5,000 Followers on Facebook which is a HUGE feat for my business and I. It felt so rewarding to hit a goal.

Be consistent. Show up. Engage with your audience. Build those relationships. These rules apply to anyone; not only a crafter.

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

Aside from the obvious (to make a living), my mission is to put Three Elle Creations on the map!

I want my fellow neighbors to know not only who I am, but I want them to know what I do. I want them to know I can help them for any occasion. I can help them for any season or reason. I also want them to know I’m apparently a poet too. Hahaha

My biggest mission is to be able to say “Thank You” to my husband. A simple gesture, but full of meaning. You may be reading this asking yourself, “Why would your mission to be to thank your husband?” Good question!

My husband allowed me to quit my full time job to pursue my business venture. Even though he doesn’t understand the crafting world and why people want to buy what crafters make, he is very supportive. He is my shipping department. At times he’s logistics and finance too.

I want to continue becoming successful. Having others know who I am and what I do. By doing so, this will be my way of saying “Thank You” to him. Thank you for taking a chance on me and believing in me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.3ElleCreations.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3ellecreations/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3ElleCreations
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/3ellecreations/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/3ElleCreations
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThreeElleCreations/?sub_confirmation=1
• Other: I’m also on TikTok: @ThreeElleCreations ad Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/3ElleCreations.