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

Alright, Karstyn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Leaving corporate life to peruse my flower art passion as a full time job was a large leap of faith for me. Growing up with multiple learning disabilities I never expected to get a job that paid like I had at my corporate job but the new role that I took on was not creative and I was so stressed all of the time. I thought about moving roles internally but my heart really wanted to try to take a chance and follow my heart to being a full time artist. I had been making jewelry and doing markets to sell them for almost 6 years on the side and had started to learn and create with flowers on the side. I love working with flowers and anything to do with nature. I found so much peace in creating and exploring ways to use flowers to create art. Growing up like most children we are taught that being an artist is really not a career that it can be a hobby, if that because so many parents don’t want you to focus on that. As a child growing up in a suburb of Chicago I had incredible art classes and when we moved to Tampa, FL, there were no art classes. I lost my way with art. While I was teaching elementary school and during COVID I was able to reconnect with art and my passion. My husband has always been so encouraging and as I tried new art things he was always by my side admiring me and cheering me on. While at my corporate job, he could see how the role I was in was draining me and we worked through what it would look like for me to quit my job and work full time as an artist. I took the jump and have been so grateful that I did.

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?

Hi, I am Karstyn Goldblum
I am the creator, designer, artist, teacher, and everything else behind the scenes at Flower and Flames. My pressed flower adventure started after my sister shouted for us to pull over on the side of the road as we passed the most gorgeous field of wildflowers and she scurried around looking for a book in her car. She showed me how I could use a book to press these gorgeous wildflowers that grow along the highway near her. The rest was history. I kept books in my hiking bags, in my car, and always had it on my mind. But, what to do with all these beautiful flowers that I have pressed over the years?

When I met my husband, years ago, I told him never to buy me flowers because it made me sad that they die. Now that I have learned through lots of trial and error, I told him it’s okay to buy them for me as I know their beauty does not have to end when they die. I had started my artistic journey through painting and making jewelry, and most of my art included flowers or something to do with nature. I have always been drawn to flowers and love to be in nature, so it has felt so right. Now I can combine my love for painting with my love for pressed flowers and using flowers to naturally dye things. I love connecting to others and in my eco printing workshops I am able to combine many of my passions together. I am able to meet so many other people passionate about nature. With eco-printing or using flowers and byproducts like the skin or pit of an avocado we can use it to naturally dye things. This is a wonderful way to create art, recycle clothes, and reduce what might wind up in a landfill.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is connecting to so many people. There are so many beautiful souls out there and when I became an artists it brought into my life so many incredible people.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I feel that the best way society can support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem is to buy from small businesses. Go to your local farmers market, events, and community connections. Brag about what you find to others on social media and in person to people you connect with. Take into perspective on how much time, effort, and education that goes into what they make. Don’t complain about the price because their time is valuable. Tell the artist what you love about what they are doing and what you like about it. Remember there is a person behind that art.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.flowerandflames.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerandflames