We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tanya Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tanya, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Probably the most meaningful item I created to date was a bracelet set for a trans child and parent that said “Protect Trans Youth”. They lived in Florida and I had a hard time fighting back tears of joy creating this set for these lovely people.

I love creating beautiful painted signs, jewelry, and knitwear that is inclusive and represents the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s meaningful to me, because I am in the alphabet mafia ;). I want beautiful art, jewelry, and knitwear out in the world that people can wear and show their PRIDE at heir classrooms, offices, businesses, and homes making this world a safer place for all of us.

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

Tanya Johnson, the creator behind She’s Crafty AVL, was raised in Asheville, NC. She was taught how to crochet at 6 by her grandmother. This is when her creative flame started. Tanya taught herself to make jewelry in her 20s and loved adding that to her repertoire.

While she was doing this as a hobby, Tanya had a career as a real estate paralegal for 11 years. While she loved the people she worked with she craved a creative life. Tanya decided to leave real estate and pursue a degree in fine art from Western Carolina University in graphic design. Graduating from WCU in 2013 she quickly landed a graphic designer at a local health food store all while showing her work on the weekends.

After 4 years of corporate life, Tanya decided she preferred the entrepreneur life. In 2017, Tanya struck out on her own. She quickly was able to support herself solely from her creativity. 2020 was particularly difficult and enlightening for Tanya. She felt her brand was being watered down before the pandemic. Tanya was able to take time and realign her style, voice, beliefs, and business to come out of the lockdown with a stronger sense of self.

Tanya’s creativity is born from attitude, need for connection, and representation, She’s Crafty AVL makes snarky painted signs, edgy beaded bracelets, and knit street-wear accessories.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Like many people I had to pivot HARD in 2020. Before 2020, I had a watered down version of my brand, because I was afraid if I showed my true self I’d lose clients or people wouldn’t buy from me. That couldn’t of been farthest from the truth. Early 2020 I got some business coaching and classes and was able to bring my true authentic self to my business. My business has grown 300% since 2020 and has shown me that true, authentic, representation matters.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative is getting up to be creative every day. Earlier in my life I didn’t understand that I didn’t have to work a 9 to 5 job to be happy. AND that I could actually make money and support myself off my creativity. It’s so fun to do research of what I’ll be making and selling to people who love my work. Obviously, I get to talk to awesome people when I’m selling or people who love awesome people and are buying gifts for them.

Contact Info:

• Website: Shescraftyavl.com
• Instagram: @shescraftyavl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shescraftyavl

Image Credits
Tanya Johnson Haywood County Chamber of Commerce (personal image of me at my booth)