We recently connected with Audrey Nelson and have shared our conversation below.

Audrey, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned what I do the way most creatives do: by diving in headfirst, making a mess, and figuring it out as I went. While I’ve been photographing for as long as I can remember, the sewing, papermaking, and all the other creative rabbit holes I’ve gone down? Those led me to a mix of hands-on trial and error, internet deep dives, and a few trips to the library. The internet, for all its endless content, has been one of my greatest resources. Yes, it can be overwhelming at times, but it’s an incredible tool. You can find tutorials,, read experiences, and pick up skills that might’ve taken years to learn otherwise. And speaking of libraries, the good old-fashioned kind shouldn’t be overlooked either. Local libraries are filled with books, inspiration, and sometimes even sewing patterns and sewing machines!

While reflecting, I do wish I had spent less time doubting myself, trying to make every single detail perfect, or not finishing projects out of fear they weren’t good enough. Had I instilled my now knowledge of allowing myself the space to experiment without the fear of getting it “wrong”, I would have realized that more often than not: the best ideas come from mistakes.

I’d like to thank curiosity, patience, and the ability to see beyond what’s right in front of me for helping get through obstacles such as time, that little voice in my head whispering, “Is this even good?” or the biggest challenge, balancing creativity with life’s responsibilities. It can be tough to nurture ideas when your day is filled with mass amounts of unexpected chaos. But ironically, that same chaos fuels me too. It keeps me resourceful, reminds me why I create in the first place, and proves that inspiration can come from even the most unexpected places.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

If I had to sum myself up, I’d say I’m someone who finds beauty in the small things, the forgotten details, and the stories woven into what we wear, create, and experience. I’m a visual storyteller, a lifelong daydreamer, and a firm believer that creativity doesn’t have to be polished to be meaningful.

My journey into slow living, self-published modeling, and self-expression didn’t follow a straight path; it meandered, took detours, and was shaped by the life I was living in the moment, and honestly, it still is. Along the way, I had the pleasure of meeting and teaming up with amazing companies, and I found myself connecting with others who shared my passion for imagination and authenticity. What had started as a personal experimental outlet grew into a way to encourage others to embrace themselves and what makes them unique, find joy in dressing up, and appreciate the artistry in everyday life.

What sets me apart? I’m not the girl next door; I’m the girl miles in the middle of nowhere, living in a town with a population of around 700 people, trying to put myself on the map. With no immediate local community to connect with, being able to utilize social media as a tool to create my own has changed my life. I’ve had the absolute pleasure of sharing this journey with those who appreciate wholesome craft, whimsy, and the charm of slow living, who have been supportive from day one. It has grown beyond my expectations, turning into a space where people can be themselves without judgment through shared interests, aesthetics, and even a sprinkle of Shrek humor. You’d be surprised how many meaningful conversations have sparked from my love of Shrek or the Lord of the Rings. There’s always a way to find inspiration in silly, simple things, or in this case, multimillion-dollar movie franchises.

At the end of the day, if there’s one thing people take away from my pages, whether it’s through my creations, styling, or photography, is the inspiration to see the world with more wonder.

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

The most rewarding part of being a creative? Well, aside from the occasional existential crisis over a self-portrait shoot gone wrong or the sheer disarray of having too many ideas at once, it’s the thrill of bringing a vision to life exactly as I imagined (or, let’s be honest, as close as reality allows). There’s something almost magical about taking a fleeting thought and shaping it into something real, something that speaks, whether through photos, fabric, words, or even humor.

But even better? Meeting other creatives who just get it. The ones who also agonize over ten different hobbies, who understand the delicate dance between inspiration and procrastination, and who appreciate the beauty of an idea that makes absolutely no sense until it suddenly does. It’s as if the passion that would normally get you sideways glances is completely understood and suddenly you’re having striking conversations and inspiring each other.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Some days it feels like Nick, the unhinged bus driver from Grown Ups 2, is driving my creative process and taking me for the ride of a lifetime. On other days, however, I’d say it’s a mix of having an outlet for my constantly whirring mind and showing my son that the world is his oyster; one he’s free to paint, sew, build, or completely reinvent however he pleases. I want him to know that imagination isn’t just okay, it’s essential. That there’s wonder in creating for the sake of creating, in seeing the world not just as it is, but as it could be.

And honestly, that belief fuels me just as much as it’s meant to inspire him. Creativity keeps life from feeling too predictable, too routine. It’s a reminder that even on the most ordinary days, there’s always room for a little wonder, a little storytelling, and especially a few finger-painted pictures on the front of the fridge.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsreallyaud?igsh=aGx1czltYjIwMGpo&utm_source=qr
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@audlymade?_t=ZT-8tc49mCdFXe&_r=1

Image Credits

The Wreath Picture:
@ShannonRaePhotos