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

Katie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Imagine this, I’m a pregnant elmentary school teacher and I take a painting class with some friends at Painting with a Twist. After seeing how fun painting can be (if you don’t take yourself too seriously) I decide to start doing some paintings of my own in my summer free time, and hang them in my dining room. I threw a dinner party with my friend, she sees my art, and then asks me to paint a hat for her upcoming cruise. Reluctantly, I decide to give it a go and paint her a hat. Once the cruise is over, my friend comes back over, insisting that I start this as a business, because everyone on the cruise ship and on the islands raved over her hat! The friend had complete strangers coming up, asking her where she got it from.
I, being pregnant and on a teacher salary, then did the math. On an elementary school teacher salary, after paying for daycare, I would only make two dollars an hour! So I decided maybe painting hats would be a better option. So while my husband went to work during the week, I could stay home with our new baby and paint. Then on the weekends I go and sell them at local craft shows. It was profitable right away and gained a local following. Taking a leap of faith was worth the risk and became my full time job that I’m extremely passionate about. This is how Hat Mamas Art was born!

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

So, although the painted hats are my bread and butter, I do have actual fine art that I’m in the process of digitizing and putting onto apparel. I can’t wait to have leggings wrapped in my art. I think that would be cool. I currently have two styles of towels, and some beautiful octopus coasters as well. I’m known best for my octopi hats and octopi paintings. This summer I’ll be rolling out my website www.hatmamas.com. So currently I’m working with Viera social media and A1A outdoor rentals which are two local companies to create promotional footage in photographs that I can use to help boost my social media game.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect for me is interacting with the customers at the Craft Shows that I do. I love to see returning customers coming back and buying another hat or two or three! Then there’s the customers that come back by just to say hi and they’re wearing one of your hats. They’ve purchased from a previous show and they have nothing but positive things to say about it. Getting a real time testimony of the longevity of the hat, how well it packs, how vivid the color still are after years of ownership is extremely rewarding. The only negative comment I’ve ever received was that someone dog ate their hat, so they had to come find me at another craft show so they could buy another one. Having countless people stop by your booth and tell you they really enjoy your art and complement your talent is so fulfilling. Some people say they don’t wear hats but still take the time to stop by and tell you that you’re art is great. Then there are the brand new customers that come in and find their first hat. The smile they have when they see themselves in the mirror is worth any hardships that could come with doing the outdoor Craft Shows. Some people don’t realize how tough it is to do some of these outdoor events with the wind in the rain here in Florida. Sometimes your tent will literally fly away!

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

I think when other small businesses support each other, it’s a win-win. I’ve created relationships with some local restaurants and apparel stores that have been mutually beneficial. They have a small space to sell my hats, and they get a cut of the pie from my sales. Or they don’t have to go and buy art for their restaurant because they can hang my original art that no other restaurant will have, and it’s for sale. I get my art shown to local people eating out, which could turn them into a buyers. It’s an audience I didn’t have before. The relationships I’ve created with these other local owners have been lasting and positive. I feel like family in these establishments, and have good banter with their team.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.hatmamas.com
• Instagram: HatMamasArt
• Facebook: Hat Mamas Art