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

Margaret, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I think the most meaningful project I’ve worked on is creating the enchanted forest for my booth at the Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire. This event marks the end of my season, and unlike most of the markets and fairs I attend, it’s fully immersive—Shrewsbury is a great opportunity to go all in with decorations and period costumes, really bringing people into a story.

The vibe I was going for was a fairy grotto appearing in the middle of a bustling human market. Fae trap? Maybe. Full of magic? Absolutely. You will leave with glitter on you—sorry, not sorry. Inside is draped in ivy, with handmade mushroom seats, semi-transparent curtains at the back, and wisteria and fairy shinies hanging from the rafters. You might find slug stuffies, fairy houses, frogs with butts!, and of course, face painting and henna. I want to have a space that other artists can bring their products as well to sell.
My favorite part of my booth are the trees in the front. It was a huge collaborative project spanning a few years with my talented friends that are also independent contractors that help me to make my face painting business a reality. The trees are made from pool noodles, cast off plastic wrap, so much contact cement and a few finger blood sacrifices. I glued over 1000 individual leaves to a dark green popup canopy. I got the idea from DIY Halloween haunt videos and I grew up watching Disney animated films. I love going big. All of the talents I’ve collected over the years came together to create this magic.

Margaret, 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?

I am a single mom of 3 kids and I have always wanted a creative career and spread joy. I started with a bachelor’s degree in fashion design, then learned face painting from a friend and then I turned that into a business that I love.

I make costumes that I wear to events and I give each character my own flair. I love doing birthday parties and working with kids. I say that I can paint almost anything and the surprize on the kids’ faces when I create a design based on their explanation warms my heart. I love making kids smile and playing with them while we colaborate on what they want. When they say “wow! I’m so beautiful!” I know I have done my job well.

I’ve been in business 11 years now, I offer face painting, balloon twisting and henna body art 4 years ago. Each medium offers different ways to be creative for me and my client.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding thing about being a creative is that I can inspire people. I was told all through my childhood that I wasn’t artistic. I would tell people who asked “oh I can’t even draw a stick figure”. When I learned to draw in ninth grade from a friend my whole world became brighter. I was still told I wasn’t good at it but art fed my soul and I wasn’t giving up. I now have a business that I use all of the skills I’ve learned over the years and I am happier than ever.

Everyone need a chance to play and to be creative. Some just need encouragement and for someone to believe in them.

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

I am an independent artist and single mother of 3 crazy and wonderful kids. My journey to get here was a rough road miles long.

I was not encouraged as a young creative girl. Growing up, I deeply internalized messages that I wasn’t worth anything, that no one could love me, and that I didn’t deserve kindness or happiness for myself. It has taken years of healing with the right combination of support to help me to feel like a person, and to feel like I can take up space and accept happiness in my life. Believing in my value as an artist has allowed me to build a successful career in bringing the joy of art to others.

Now despite all I’ve been through I choose to smile, I choose to care and I choose to bring joy with me to the kids and families I work with, as well as show my own children that they can be creative and thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.storybookfaces.com
• Instagram: @storybook.faces
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storybookfaces