Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystal Barrett.
Hi Krystal, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am the owner and artist behind Peace Petals. I have loved art since I was a child. I remember watching in awe as my grandmother drew pictures of my favorite movie characters, and so I would try to do the same. Whenever asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, I always responded with, “an artist.”
That said, as I grew up, I explored a few different art mediums–drawing, abstract painting, studying art history and humanities–but, as someone who has always been extremely self-critical and hard on myself, I never felt as though what I created was “good enough.” Art wasn’t fun for me anymore due to my self-critic, so I fell out of creating for many years. Despite this, deep down, a part of me always longed to make art; truly, I felt like a part of me was missing. After sharing these feelings with a family member, I was encouraged to not give up and that I would find *my* art soon.
Within the next week, I stumbled upon an article on social media that detailed pressing flowers. Upon reading the article, I thought the idea was super cool, and, for some reason, an overwhelmingly positive feeling came over me. “I could do this, have fun with this, be really good at it, and create items others would love,” is what I immediately said to myself. Soon after, I pressed a few flowers in a textbook and made a couple of art pieces that I then framed.
I guess this is where many would say, “and the rest is history,” but that’s not quite my story. For the past ten years, I worked in higher education, so pressing flowers and making art with them had always been put to the back burner–something I did when I just had extra time. Despite this, my incredible friends who own The Owl’s Attic here in Orlando told me that whenever I was ready, they would sell my pressed flower-framed pieces in their shop. In 2016, I officially launched my small art business, Peace Petals, and in 2017 began selling some of my work in The Owl’s Attic. My art has since then expanded from only pressed flowers displayed in frames to also include other art and goods, like bookmarks, necklaces, cards, infused oils, ornaments, and pretty much whatever else I feel like putting pressed flowers on! This past August 2021, I made the huge leap, with the encouragement and support from my husband, to quit my full-time job in higher education and pursue my passions–especially my passion of growing Peace Petals. Finally, I am now devoting my full time and energy on my small art business, popping up at more markets in town, selling specially curated art and goods in The Owl’s Attic, creating custom pieces for clients, and hopefully selling online soon. I’m so very excited for the future of Peace Petals!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Starting Peace Petals has definitely not been a smooth road. As I mentioned, for the past ten years, I worked full-time in higher education, which didn’t really allow me much energy for a small business. During my career in higher education, I was also in college myself, so much of my time was taken up by both school and work.
I’ve definitely struggled with finding a balance and going “all in” on Peace Petals. Frankly, I’ve been scared of taking the leap to be an artist and owning a business. Failing and that feeling of not being “good enough” have definitely crept in at times, causing me to pause and question if this is something I can actually do. Self-doubt can be one of the worst struggles along the way of entrepreneurship.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As I’ve mentioned, my small business is called Peace Petals. I create pressed flower art and goods; all of my work is handmade and intentionally created in hopes to cultivate peace for myself and others. My pressed flower art and goods include: framed pieces, necklaces, cards, bookmarks, ornaments, stickers, eco-friendly confetti, infused oils that I call “Peace Potions”, and sage and palo santo bundles that I call “Peace Burners”. Pressed and/or dried flowers are incorporated in every single item I make and I strive to be as eco-friendly as possible in my work as well, while always trying to grow and evolve.
An aspect of my business also includes creating custom pressed flower-framed pieces. I have pressed flowers from wedding bouquets, celebrations of life, anniversaries, graduations, and other life events. The joy that is brought to clients who I make customs for truly warms my heart–I love watching their reaction when they see what I created out of such special flowers.
Additionally, something I’ve really enjoyed is infusing social justice activism in some of my work. In the past, I have offered donation-based giveaways in support of a social justice cause, asking for donations in exchange for an entry to win a pressed flower-framed piece. The money gathered has then been donated to important causes, supporting movements like Black Lives Matter and mental health justice. As someone who struggles with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and OCD, Peace Petals has been one form of therapy for me, and I’ve especially loved using my art to support mental health advocacy.
I try not to think about what sets me apart of from others too much, though that’s probably an important part of owning a business. But, Orlando is so, so supportive of small, local businesses that I suppose I feel that the authenticity in my creative work, along with the lack of conforming to whatever standards may be expected, is supported and applauded in our rad community.
What does success mean to you?
I’d like to answer this question by first asking another: Do you feel fulfilled in life? A life of fulfillment–with purpose, happiness, love, and joy–is real success in my eyes.
Pricing:
- Framed Pieces: Vary (can range from $20-$300+)
- Necklaces: $25
- Bookmarks: $9
- Peace Burners: $18
- Peace Potions: $18
Contact Info:
- Email: PeacePetalsArt@gmail.com
- Website: https://peacepetals.square.site
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peacepetalsart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peacepetalsart/
