We were lucky to catch up with Jasmine Mims recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jasmine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

“CraftinWithMimz”, started in Huntsville, Alabama in 2016. At the time I was a full time Graduate student at The Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University. I worked as Kindergarten Instructional Aide, while completing my Masters Degree. I began my business by creating picture frames for birthday parties and customized baskets. My first customer was my best friends mom, she asked if I create a basket for my best friends graduation. Little did I know I would become a regularly booked individual for various occasions. My mom would also ask if I can make various items for her staff, as appreciation gifts during the holidays. From this I would create items for presentations, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s, Day and much much more.

I always knew I had a passion for for crafting, however I did not know where it would it would take me.

Since 2016, I have added, Treat Tables, Ice Cream Bars, all things chocolate in which I never knew how much people love chocolate covered treats, and my most busy item yet BALLOONS. I have learned the technique of vinyl T-Shirt making and Wooden Door Decals.

I have worked with some of the best event planners in the city such as, Brianna Janae (Glam Studio and Event Center), Raven (Opulent Experiences), Mike Rankins (Highly Ranked Enterprises), Yaz (K3 Konnections Parties and Events), Mellory (Mellory Creations) and Monique (Monique Treats)

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As before, I am first a full time teacher, current Reading Interventionist, who loves a good craft project. Crafting is a place of peace for myself. CraftinWithMimz offers various items such as; treats, treat tables, balloons, T-Shirts, wooden door hangers, snapchat filters, letter boxes, baskets, and much much more. Before when I completed this interview I was best known for my treat tables, however with time I have added balloons. I feel balloons have carried this small business a step forward with customers and future clients. I took time during Covid to start learning about the technique of balloons. From studying the art of creating balloon decor, I feel that my skills have vastly improved over time. There was honestly a time, I stated I would never do balloons, but look at me now.

As you can tell, I am most proud of my growth in balloons. In December of 2021, after suffering a stillbirth of my first Daughter Amira, I took time to study, research, and perfect my craft. It was in January 2022 I noticed the change in my balloons. I saw the growth. I noticed the growth. I appreciated the growth. I think in some way that traumatic experience pushed me to do something I didn’t know I could do with balloons.

As far as problems I solve for clients and customers, I think my ability to provide treats, acrylic welcome signs, and balloons allows them to not worry about several aspects being delivered to their expectations and needs for their various events correctly.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I think my biggest story to date that reflects my ability to keep pushing, is being a mom of not one but two angel babies. December 2021 my life changed for what I thought was going to take me out. I gave birth to my first daughter Amira, however she was Stillborn at 20 weeks. I never saw that day coming and I can honestly say, it has changed me in more ways than one. I’ll never forget that day, the good, bad, or the ugly. I will never forget her, and those fat cheeks nor the lavender dress and hat they placed her in. After several sessions of grief therapy, I learned I was pregnant again five months later, I just knew everything would be ok, but at thirteen weeks, June 2022 I suffered an ugly miscarriage of my second daughter Haadiya. From day to day I don’t know if I am coming or going but nevertheless, I wake up Monday – Friday and teach full time in the middle school setting, as well as every weekend I take time to work my side business. It is honestly never easy, as I see children everyday at my full time job, and then the weekends where I am asked to do balloons, treats, etc for baby showers or kids parties. I have learned to push through it all and just know there may be a rainbow after this storm. I can not wait to fully tell my story this fall during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month! I am currently planning a wonderful event for the city of Birmingham, and I hope a few other businesses help support this event.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I have had to unlearn the lesson of over extending. I am only as good as I allow myself to be! I have learned that it is ok to say no, it is ok to be tired. It is ok to protect your peace. It is ok to protect or save your energy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://craftinwithmimz.wixsite.com/craftinwithmimzz
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftinwithmimz/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craftinwithmimz/

Image Credits
Christmas Decor – Brianna Janae Balloons – CraftinWithMimz Tiktok Decor – CraftinWithMimz Custom BackDrop – Xclusive Printing