We were lucky to catch up with Kristi Van Zyl recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kristi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

In 2012, I was working full time in the corporate world as a mortgage consultant. At home, I began painting a few pieces of our furniture, to give them a fresh, new update. It was such a refreshing change from the stress of the corporate world and I fell in love with the hobby and the outcome of each piece!

So, in the Spring of 2013, we launched Chalk It Up as a side business and on nights and weekends, I began painting pieces for others and also, pieces that I would sell, in our garage.

Fast forward to 2014. We had my daughter in April and after returning to the mortgage business after maternity leave, I knew I had a decision to make. My heart was with our daughter and my side business and it tugged at me to leave them each day. It hit me much like an epiphany – I had to take the chance and launch my little side business full time! It was absolutely the best decision I’ve ever made. Did I take a pay cut? Yes, but was I then able to do what I loved, all while being home with our little girl? Also yes and you can’t put a value on that. It was a scary move and I was nervous, but so happy that I took the plunge!

Kristi, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

It started as a hobby, then grew to a side business and then ultimately now, a full time career.

I paint and refinish furniture, offering many different paint/stain options and sheens (matte, satin, semigloss and high gloss). I started out using chalk paint, hence the play on words in my business name, but have since started using many different types of paint – acrylics, enamels, mineral, milk, etc. There are many furniture paint lines available today and it’s been fun to try several in order to determine my favorites.

My main focus is sourcing high quality pieces, mostly vintage because of the craftsmanship, and then designing them into something fresh and new. Most pieces need lots of prep work – repairs, cleaning and sanding – that’s a crucial part of the process. It’s key to a nice, clean, smooth finish. When a piece is done, I list it for sale.

As to what sets me apart? Hmmmm, I would say experience. I have many talented friends in the industry, but I’ve been doing this longer than a majority. I also have been given the gift of an eye for design (for which I am so grateful). I enjoy studying the piece and designing it in my head and it’s so fun to see the vision come to life! I have a slight obsession with beautiful + unique hardware. I feel like it’s like adding the perfect jewelry to your outfit! It can, and does, completely “make” the piece, without fail.

Side note, I do offer custom work (ie, updating a piece that you own), but I’ve put that on an indefinite hold. My focus, currently, is getting to the many pieces I have in inventory.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Upon completion of a project, it’s so rewarding to look back at the before and after. To see the end result for an idea that began only in your head! To remember the process, all the steps taken and the challenges faced. To me, when I get a new piece in, it’s literally the feeling of having a blank new canvas at your fingertips. The sky is the limit!

It’s also extremely rewarding to be able to work from home, do what I love and to be able to see my kids grow up. That’s invaluable.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I love this question! I get asked frequently how I got started. Did I take classes, did I attend workshops, etc? No. None of the above. 100% self-taught. I used Google and watched You Tube tutorials and learned a lot, but for me, good old fashioned trial and error worked best for me. Just dive in! I still use Google and You Tube at times if I’m faced with a new challenge, which happens quite a bit! Social media is also a great source for tips.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.carolinafurniturecollective.com
• Instagram: @chalkitupllc
• Facebook: Chalk It Up
• Other: A small group of local furniture artists and I have created Carolina Furniture Collective. Our website is listed above and you can also find us on IG @carolinafurniturecollective and also on Facebook.