I love creating ornaments for every season and occasion. I think I discovered the world of crafting in kindergarten when they handed me my first piece of paper and bottle of finger paints… I’ve been at it ever since.
I also have OCD, Obsessive Christmas Disorder which I thank my grandma for. When I was five she bought me my first little 3 foot aluminum tree with pink pine cone ornaments frosted in white. I haven’t stopped since. The crafting and Christmas became a natural extension of each other. Much of my Christmas village is handcrafted ceramic houses I’ve made, as are many of the Santa’s in my collection.
With Pinterest came a whole new world of crafting to explore. I have been sewing since the age of 8 and I became fascinated with the quilted Christmas ornaments. I made two and haven’t stopped since.
It didn’t take long to realize ornaments are a year round thing. The spring and summer collection looks beautiful piled in a basket or hanging from a ornament stand. The patriotic red, white and blue are stunning accents to your 4th of July table or door wreath. Autumn… Halloween… Thanksgiving and of course Christmas. The possibilities are endless.
I first opened the shop in 2015 as a means to get ornaments to the people who were asking to buy them. I did not put a lot of time into it at first. Then, in 2016, I was downsized out of my job after 28 years and found myself looking for work for the first time in more than a quarter of a century. Yes, that is a scary thought. As I searched for a new position over the next six months, I had time to learn new ornament designs and really spend time upgrading the shop and my website. It was something I loved doing and my goal was to make people happy and never be dependent on another company for my livelihood.
I love the time and effort that goes into each ornament, from looking for just the right fabrics to go together, to the hand crafting of each unique one, to the finishing touches of glitter accents, bows, jewels and charms. I may use some of the same fabrics on several ornaments, but each finished ornament is unique… no two finished designs are ever the same.
I’ve been honored to make ornaments for a mother from her wedding dress to give to each of her children, memory ornaments from shirts and dresses of loved ones who have passed on, special pets who become family members, documenting life events like weddings, graduations and new babies. Realtors who give personalized ornaments to new clients with a picture of their new home. Each is created with love to hold memories for years to come and to be passed down from generation to generation.
Anything… everything inspires me! A walk, a painting, a song, other artists, a memory a new fabric or trim. Stories people share with me are inspiring in so many ways. Inspiration is all around us everyday. We just have to be open to seeing it.
One of my favorite quotes is “Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” – Mary Lou Cook. I try to live life this way.
What makes my business stand out from businesses that sell similar products?
I try to treat every customer like royalty. Providing legendary customer service is so important to me. Honesty is the best policy. If I do not feel I can give you a end result that you are going to love, I will say so. I don’t accept a order just to make a sale. I always strive to improve the selection of my ornaments by introducing new processes and products. I stand behind my ornaments with 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
People ask if I have a studio or store I work from. As your kids grow and leave home, new space opens up. A spare bedroom is now my studio. It is my creatively messy sanctuary. I am surrounded by things that inspire me and make me happy. Pics of my kids and grand kids, a crystal sugar and creamer that was my moms, Christmas lights everywhere, pieces of fabrics and trims, gifts from friends, things my kids made in grade school. Every bit of wall space is filled with pictures. Bins filled with magical fabrics stacked on the floor. My kitty sleeps on the love seat while Christmas music plays on the radio. It is pure heaven!
The biggest thing I’ve learned since opening my business is the amazing feeling that comes when someone sends a message that says they received their ornament and love it. It is a indescribable sense of satisfaction that one of your creations could make someone so happy.
You can find me on these social channels I would love to connect with you!
My website www.ornamentsbyrebeccat.com/
Facebook www.facebook.com/OrnamentsByRebeccaT/
Twitter twitter.com/ByRebeccaT
Instagram www.instagram.com/ornaments_by_rebecca/
Pinterest www.pinterest.com/ByRebeccaT/
