We recently connected with Cari Colclough and have shared our conversation below.

Cari, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes! Art has been my passion since I won my first drawing contest at age 7. By age 12, I was studying at the Corcoran Museum School of Art and Design and painting my heart out. (I wanted to be as good as my aunt who is an AMAZING artist!)

In college, I studied Fine Art and Advertising which did not go over well with my parents. “Your going to be a what?! An Artist?! That’s not a career. You need to get a business degree.” What I tell people is, trust your GUT! It’s usually right. Because, while in college the Mac came out (cue singing angels!) and that totally changed the industry and the world. I saved my money, bought a Mac and it’s helped me my entire career!

It allowed me the flexibility to forge my own path, bet on myself per se, which I think is very important and much more prevalent today. There are so many options and opportunities that abound today! It’s exhilarating! I think you must work smart, be willing to fail, not beat yourself up, learn from your mistakes, and move forward.

In my late 20’s I decided to move to New York City to further my career. Never mind that I didn’t have a job or know anyone. (Thinking back, I was a little naïve. Oh, I can find a job, no problem. LOL!) In the 90’s, if you wanted to be good at your craft, you went to NYC. So, I packed up my Mac, my 3 rescue cats and moved. It was a little harder than I anticipated but what an experience! I worked 4 part-time jobs to afford my tiny, 5th floor walk-up, studio apt in Hell’s Kitchen and learned from some incredible people! (I was a freelance artist in Publishing, PPT designer for Citibank, waitress at a comedy club, and catered weddings.) I settled into Publishing where I remained as an Art Director for 12 years.

By 2006, I was fielding so many requests for freelance work, I was able to leave my full-time job and branch out on my own. My clients were some of the best in the luxury industry … Departures, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, American Express Travel, and TIME Magazine. (Working with them, I was able to win several awards along the way.)

Fast forward to 2013, and I found myself (at 50) the proverbial divorced cat lady. :) Panic set in! What was I going to do with the next chapter of my life?! Luckily, I had my design business that allowed me to support myself and my crazy pivot.

I’ve always been rather shy and don’t think of myself as a risk taker. Writing this, I realize I’ve made some bold moves in my life. (Thank you for helping me look back Canvas Rebel!) I think that is because I have surrounded myself with supportive people. I will tell you that really helps, a lot! A close friend of mine told me once, “What other people think of you is none of your business”. It took me a long time to really hear that and change my thinking. And that in turn allowed me to make changes in my life for the better no matter how scary it was!

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?

Well, at present, I have the best job on the planet! I am blessed to work with engaged couples crafting their wedding stationery. I take my branding skills and events background and collaborate with couples to create pieces they will treasure forever. The most fulfilling aspect of my work is being a small part of a couple’s big day…creating that piece of art that they think is just perfect! I enjoy it tremendously!

It can be incredibly overwhelming when couples get engaged. Where do I start?! Who do I hire? There are so many decisions to make about their wedding that they know very little about. My goal is to eliminate the overwhelm, have my couples feel as if they are my one and only client, have a fun experience, and walk away with a treasure they are over the moon about! I feel as if I have been pretty successful at accomplishing this thus far.

Our time working together is not stressful. No question is a bad question. My couples don’t do this every day. They don’t know what they don’t know. So, it can be very daunting when starting your wedding stationery. Fun and exciting, but a little daunting.

I get to know my couples, so I can craft an heirloom piece that represents their distinctive relationship. As I guide them through the process of creating their custom design, we start with 12 pre-designed suites as a jumping-off point. I use these to help couples articulate the style, fonts, colors, and artwork they are passionate about. Often, it’s easier for people to communicate using visuals. I help narrow down the options of paper, printing techniques, embellishments, envelope addressing, and day-of-items. Frequently questions arise about invitation wording, the amount of postage needed, and correct guest address formatting. The little details and finishing touches needed to create their beautiful heirloom treasure. All of which I guide them through for a more manageable, peaceful process.

Ultimately, I find my couples are over the moon and absolutely LOVE their one-of-a-kind creation!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

At 50, I found myself, the proverbial divorced cat lady. I must admit, it was more than a little scary. What was I going to do with the rest of my life? Was I going to be alone with my cats? It was a little depleting I have to say.

I had my design business, but I wanted to start this next chapter with a fresh beginning. The favorite part of my work was events. Specifically, the branding of the event. Creating an experience.

Now, at this time, when I was contemplating what to do with my life and business, God gave me a rather wonderful gift.

What you may ask? Well, now that’s a story!

In high school, I was madly in love with my Prom date from senior year. Afterward, I went on to college, and he went into the Army (82nd Airborne and Ranger. I like to brag about him. He won’t, but I will!). We did the long-distance dating thing for a year or so. Then, fate intervened. Like in the movie Sliding Doors with Gwyneth Paltrow, a missed phone call changed our journey together.

Fast forward many years later, and a message popped up on my phone. It was from him! (What?!! Flashbacks of “An Officer and a Gentleman” came rushing back.) I heard his voice at the other end of the line, and I melted all over again! He asked if I’d like to go to dinner and catch up. After I stopped jumping up and down like my 12 yr old niece, I calmly replied, “You know, I think I’d like that.”

36 years AFTER our first date, we were married. And I still fall for him EVERY DAY!

So, my life and business have come full circle in a rather wonderful way! We work together helping couples represent their love story on paper. Creating one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect their unique personality as a couple. Our couples are giddy! We get excited! It’s the most wonderful job I could ever wish for.

I’m reminded that the move you’re scared to make just might be the one that changes everything. Taking that leap. Making that pivot is so scary but…sometimes God tests you the most when you’re close to a new chapter. If you have a dream and you commit to it, really commit to it, it will come to pass.

I’m 58 now, and I think to myself, why were you so fearful?! Candidly, I was a little intimidated to do this interview. Why would anyone want to hear my story? Then I thought. You dummy! You have been blessed by these wonderful people at Canvas Rebel who are doing such an amazing thing with their website. What an incredible opportunity! Like Nike says, Just do it!

So, there will be days when doubt creeps in. On those days, I remember something I read once that really made me think. “Don’t make yourself small for anyone. Be the awkward, funny, intelligent, beautifully unique person that you are. Don’t hold back. Do YOU, be YOU!” It’s a profound thought. It’s pinned to my computer now as a motivator each day.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes!

So, Turnage + Watts is named after my beautiful grandmothers, Pattie Mae Turnage and Sue Ella Watts, who always threw the best gatherings with their friends in Elon, North Carolina. (My favorite was the “Come as you are” party! Literally, when you got the call from the call tree, you dropped what you were doing, and gathered to play bridge and catch up. If you were in your pajamas with curlers in your hair, so be it. It was a hoot as a kid!)

Every suite in my collection is named after the wonderful people who enriched my life in Elon. My parents were very young when I was born. The entire small town of Elon helped my parents (and grandparents) nurture my foundational years.

My goal is to infuse that same sense of caring and community into my work. My couples’ weddings are very important to me. It needs to be perfectly them!

Our most popular suites are the Miss Athleen and the Miss Mable. The Miss Athleen is named after my great aunt who we affectionally called, Sister. She took care of everyone! It seems apropos that this would be our most popular suite.

The Miss Mable is near and dear to my heart. Our second most popular suite. Mable was the gentlest of souls. She was a very special lady! Her wit, infectious laugh, and nurturing spirit brought immense joy to my life.

Though she never learned to read or write very well, she had a strong belief in the power of a good education. Her encouragement in others to achieve gave you that formidable sense that you could do anything! She was my biggest fan! (Plus, her brown sugar pie was the bomb! Just ask my brother. She would make him his own pie!)

To honor Mable, my father formed the Mable Miles Haith Endowed Scholarship at Elon University. This scholarship provides financial aid to African American students from North Carolina who wish to attend Elon. My goal with this suite is to continue this tradition in honor of Mable.

So, we’re making art an act of kindness. Every decision to buy, helps a young person achieve their dream of a college education at Elon University. 20% of the Miss Mable Suite sales goes to the fund. To date, 28 young professionals have received the scholarship and graduated from Elon.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.turnageandwatts.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turnageandwatts/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/turnageandwatts
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/turnageandwatts/

Image Credits
Flatlays: Juliana Mary & Co. (https://julianamary.com) Photo: Jennifer Mary Photography (https://www.jennifermaryphotography.com)