Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Rodgers.
Hi Katherine, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
You are Loved Crafts was all born by my suicide attempt. Ever since my attempt, I promised myself that I would do everything I could to make sure every single person felt heard, worth the time, wanted, enough, and loved. So, I named my crafting business. You have Loved Crafts. The reason why I started a crafting business is that I finally realized that a real job just wasn’t something that was in the cards for me. Long story short, it was honestly too much for my mental health and was a big trigger.
So, I made the scariest decision I’ve ever made and started creating things for people, slowly turning into what it is today! Before my attempt, something that I was never told enough was that I was loved, that I was good enough, and that I was worth anyone’s time. So, in my mind, I truly believed that it was better for the people around me if I was just gone. And this is just absolutely not true! Although this is something that I am still learning, this is something that I’m trying to teach and show my customers. Crafting is good for my mental health, but seeing the way it lights up others’ faces, is one reason I continue and haven’t given up. Each person deserves to feel loved, and they deserve to love the person they are! So basically, it all started with trying to take care of my mental health, with a strong promise to the people around me and the people that I meet/ have met! And to advocate for these people. To see and make them smile!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A smooth road?? Not even the slightest! Haha. My mom has always told me something that I still use to this day: “it’s just another learning opportunity.” This statement is true when starting and trying to build your own business. If something doesn’t work, you learn from it and try to change it next time. You are Loved Crafts is less than a year old. So, I am still going through constant struggles, learning as I go. As a crafter, I constantly research what products work and what do not. I’ve spent many hours reading reviews left by other customers before buying anything. But the truth is, you never really know until you try it yourself.
As an artist who uses gel pens as their main medium, I’ve tried many different gel pens, putting aside the ones that haven’t worked very well. But what’s funny is that the biggest struggle has been learning what and what not to bring to craft shows, haha! How to pack! I know this sounds like such a little thing, but it’s become important! How to pack lightly, but also ensure you have everything you may need if I need it! It’s much harder to do than you would ever think! It cracks me up just thinking about it! As time goes on, these few things have gotten easier. But I think a struggle that may never go away is my thoughts and worries. As a business owner (and I’m sure other business owners can relate), it’s normal to worry and think about your customers. If they like what they have spent their money on, what they feel about your completed projects, etc. These are the things that I think about more than I should, but I always have to remind myself of the reality of all of them. It’s all a learning process, people are always happy with what they see, and I have to take one step at a time. Growing a business takes time. And being patient with myself (ourselves) is the most valuable thing I’ve learned. To my fellow business owners, always remember to be kind and patient with yourself!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Everything that I make is all wood-based. Most projects are first painted with acrylic paints. Once this is finished, I draw everything first with a pencil, then with a gel pen. Everything is completed with gel pens, and I plan to continue to do this, even with the bigger items! They are then finished with a clear, non-yellowing/ anti- chipping coating! This coating provides all items with UV protection, so almost everything is protected from the sun. This coating also provides water resistance for those native Floridians! I love the way it looks!
Something that I’m slowly becoming to be known for is my personalized and special requested items! I love receiving customers’ ideas and doing my best to bring them to life with any shape of wood, color, style, format, etc. But what You are Loved Crafts is mainly known for is mental health-related items. This is what I’m very proud of and what I want to continue to do with my crafting business! My dream for You are Loved Crafts is to have one item that resonates with every type of person. I want everyone to know/ feel loved and accepted for who and what they are. The person they are is more than they will ever know, and they should believe that.
Something else I believe may set You are Loved Crafts apart from others is what I do at each art festival, and for each craft I sell. Specifically, regarding the education on suicide awareness at each art festival/ convention, I have a sign that says that I donate 10% of all proceeds to suicide awareness. As for all my online orders, I choose that customer to donate 20% of their purchase to suicide awareness. Mental health and suicide awareness are very important to me. It is something that needs to be talked about more frequently. Over the last year, I’ve had many conversations with people who have lost one or more loved ones to suicide. This majorly breaks my heart. With that person’s permission, I have written each name on a small wooden heart to, in a way, keep them alive. To keep their names known and seen. All this is what I want for You are Loved Crafts, what I dream for, and what I’m so proud of! I hope to use my business to show others how important mental health care is and how important it is to show love to the people around them!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
As a native Floridian visiting Orlando multiple times yearly, I have developed many opinions. I think what I like best about Orlando is the profound diversity of people! From all over the world! But what I dislike, and I’m sure others would agree, is absolutely the traffic! I hate driving in Orlando! Haha.
Contact Info:
- Website: youarelovedcrafts.com
- Instagram: youarelovedcraftsus
- Facebook: You are Loved Crafts
