We recently connected with Karen Carlson and have shared our conversation below.
Karen, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
It all began about 22 years ago when my daughter Sarah was a budding jewelry designer. She was all of eleven years old. I could see she needed more supplies of a better quality as her skills were outgrowing what she had to work with. We went to the best bead shop in town and that became the first day of the rest of my life……as I too became irrevocably enamoured with all things sparkly! It all began by creating pieces as gifts and eventually friends of friends were asking for bracelets, necklaces and earrings. After doing a couple of home parties thanks to my neighbor Jane I began doing Farmers Markets.
We opened a small charming shop in our neighborhood (2001 – 2006) and called it Sarahspunda, after the inspiration for this adventure, my daughter Sarah. In 2003 our jewelry was included in the Oscar Gift bags along with Francoise Shirley’s Nick and Nora pajamas. In 2004 our jewelry was presented as a gift to all the contestants on the ABC television show, “The Bachelor”.
In 2014 I opened Grace and Company in Linden HIlls Minneapolis. This whole adventure has just unfolded before me as none of it was planned. I felt I was being lead to this and so I followed my passion. Id love to share more with you. I love being asked questions about it.
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
I began my future the day I walked into a bead shop. I had no idea where it would lead. I do have a generous amount of common sense, humor and creativity and they all lined up together. This was not planned in any way…..it literally unfolded before me and I just kept taking the next step on this path.
At my brick and mortar shop Grace and Company I offer a wide selection of MN local artists creations for sale. It is a fun, bright, eclectic environment where all are welcome and I adore all my clients and share my humor and insight generously. When it comes to my own designs and creations I am always open to accommodating the clients needs and have created special pieces for them not otherwise available.
I am very proud of where I have come and all I have learned along the way from other artists I have met and other shops I have worked for. I would like everyone to know that you really can do what you want if you follow your passion and keep taking steps in that direction. I love talking about how it happened and inspiring others to know they can do this too. I do not have a degree in business or any formal design lessons. I have an abundance of common sense that guides me, humor with all who meet me and a deep passion for creativity.
Happy to share more if you have further more specific questions. :)
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect for me of being an artist/creative is that I am truly doing what I love and making a living as well. It can be summed up by one of my most favorite quotes: “Let the beauty of what you love be what you do”. ~rumi~
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 truly believe that if you are following your passion…..if what you desire to be or to do is bursting inside of you then follow that….take steps in that direction. Its not about having a degree in this or that subject, though of course that may be necessary for some, but I have found my place through much hard work , persistence and resilience and I am filled with gratitude!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Grace and Company 4317 Upton Ave. S. Mpls. MN