We were lucky to catch up with Angela Wood recently and have shared our conversation below.

Angela, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I have so many of them, but my top favorite would be creating a kids version of WWE Superstar Charlotte Flair ring gear from Wrestlemania 34. I was referred to by another client, and first was shocked that another person wanted me to sew an outfit for their daughter. So at first I was asking myself ‘can I really make Charlotte’s gear (which wrestling gear is very revealing) into a kid version’. After several rough draft sketches and researching kid sewing patterns, I reached back to the client, showed her the idea I was thinking about and the outfit was green-lit. I created a bling button tie up top, bling shorts, bling leg warmers, and a robe with baby girl’s name blinged out on the back. Now this is why it’s so meaningful; I sent the outfit off to the client and she & her daughter loved it (unfortunately the leg warmers was a bit big, but that was okay). I asked permission to post the pictures & video the client had sent me to my email, to my social medias and she said “Yes”. So next day I get a direct message from thee Charlotte Flair herself asking if she can not only repost one of the pictures to her social media, but also send baby girl something as well. Firstly I checked to make sure it was Charlotte Flair for real. I saw that check mark and I was floored that she even slid in my inbox. I chatted with the client and let her know it was legit and gave Miss. Flair the info to send off the package. In like a few weeks later baby girl was sent a package from Charlotte Flair herself. The client said baby girl was so shocked and happy to get a package from Charlotte (even made a video for her). Knowing, hearing and seeing the excitement of the clients daughter after all that I’ve done, made me so happy and grateful that I could brighten her day by creating something I love doing.

Angela, 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?

What’s up guys! My name is Angela (most know me by AJ). I am the owner and creator of Artra Crafts. I create custom & personalized unique items. My sister inspired me to start my own business. She like many others has a unique name and can never find her name on anything (not even a keychain). So I made it my mission to create items that were customizable for those who never seen their name on anything like a tumbler, serving tray or purse. I also make products that empower black women because, at the time I would rarely see items that were dedicated to us. I created items like for instance my ‘Melanated Mirrors’ which has over 10 different melanated inspirational sayings. I am most proud of myself for not giving up and for taking the chance to working as a full-time creator/artist. I’ve had times where people would down talk what I do and try to convince me that no one would be interested in what I create. As you can see they were wrong. I’m like your favorite department store. You won’t just find me making purses, cosplay costumes, tumblers, and mirrors. In addition with my degree in Graphic Design, I design logos, digital business keychains, tees, and so much more for.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect would have to be getting feedback from my clients. They are the one’s who keep me going and make this journey worth while. I feel extremely happy and moved when I get a review or message back from a client letting me know how happy they were to receive any of my artwork. Or that the gift they purchased and gave someone made their day. That is the most rewarding part in what I do.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson of not everything can be perfect. I’ve had numerous occasions where I had to rework items because they weren’t great enough to be exhibited or shipped out. For example, I once had to make some resin spikes for a cosplay prop. The points of each spike were all slightly rounded rather than pointed. I wanted to toss them away and start over. I was informed that handmade is never flawless since that is what makes it unique.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtraCrafts/
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/artra_crafts
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/artracrafts
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Artra_Crafts
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1PPM1MrQ7O6gNu_YVFGfvw
• Other: TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRfAuct8/

Image Credits
All photos are mine