Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Donna Krause. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Donna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Being an artist brings me so much joy and sharing that with others is even better. I have always second guessed my talents and thought maybe I should just “go back to work” and “earn a real wage”. I still have those moments but they are truly not for me. I have such a passion for creating and making. I love the process and sharing the process with others even more. I know I may not be the “best” out there but I know I do my best EVERY TIME. I pour so much love and passion into every knot and every design, that it makes what I do very personal.

Clocking in & out may pay the bills but it doesn’t make me happy. I want to live a happy life, I want to seek joy and make others smile. When I’m in my studio, the sense of peace I feel is worth so much more than a paycheck. Will I every ‘get rich” off my art, probably not, but I know that I will be happy doing what I love. All of that passion translates into handcrafted quality work that I can feel good about each time someone purchases one of my pieces or takes one of my classes. I support small businesses all the time and I love connecting with the creators, I want to do the exact same for my customers and students. I want them to leave not only with a handmade item or skill but also with a connection to me and a fond memory of their experience during our interaction, to me that’s what being an artist is about, giving a piece of yourself each time.

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?

I’ve always enjoyed the creative process and “making things” from an early age. In 2009 is when my crafty side took the business fork in the road and I saw what I really wanted to do. I love variety so while I started out making hand sewn bows for my young daughters my products have changed as they grew up and the market fluctuated. One thing that didn’t change was my love of flowers and all things natural. So as trends developed I would see a way to create items in a cost effective way using natural items like branches, wood, paper and fibers. When I started making paper flowers I really started to blossom myself. Fiber arts were always a love of mine too, my initial introduction was as a young girl watching my grandmother knit & macrame, then I learned to cross-stitch but the macrame always amazed me.

Now my business consists of handwoven macrame items using 100% cotton or recycled cotton string. I incorporate reclaimed wood branches & sticks & support other small businesses form wood accents as much as I can. This year we relocated south, purchased a small piece of land and built a small home & a studio out back for my work. I’m hoping to start offering classes again after getting settled in and connecting with other local businesses that have a place for classes. I want my followers to know that when they purchase one of my pieces they are getting something that has been carefully crafted to last and be beautiful in their home. They are helping support a family, not some manufacturer or reseller. Everything I provide is handmade by me & meticulouslly crafted to be something I would be proud to display in my own home. It’s a piece of me, my personality and unique in it’s own way.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Seeing someone fall in love with one of my pieces. I’ve hand many tell me how much they love their items and take the time to send me pictures of where they display them. THAT is what brings me joy. I’ve actually had one customer tear up after they saw one of my large pieces. They explained that it touched them somehow and they couldn’t stop thinking about it and that’s why they came back to purchase it. I will never forget that moment, I still get chills when I reflect on it.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I feel like people who don’t know or understand the creative process or what goes into making a piece tend to view handmade work like they would something at a local chain home store. It’s just another item to purchase and display. Handmade work not only cost money because of the materials but the artist time also cost. People forget that they are paid for their time when they ‘clock in’ but artist don’t get to do that. We are actually always working either on the pieces themselves or mentally about the next design. With that being said, I’ve had a few experiences where folks will try to haggle or negotiate the price of something and when that happens it can make the artist feel very bad about themselves and their work. This has happened a few times and it’s a struggle to build my confidence back up to recognize my value.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bloominmacrame.com
• Instagram: @bloominmacrame
• Facebook: @bloominmacrame

Image Credits
These are my personal photos.