My Artistic Roots
I was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky — and I’ve never left. This is not only where I live, but also where I create everything by hand. My roots here run deep, and so does my love of making things with meaning.
Art has always been a part of my life. As a teenager, I spent hours drawing, coloring, and learning to cross-stitch and crochet. I even expressed my creativity through music, playing the flute for four years. Over the years, that creative energy evolved — into beading, scrapbooking, and painting. With a family full of crafters and artists, I was surrounded by inspiration early on.
How CLeaR Crafts Began
I’ve been beading for over 20 years, but it was about 10 years ago that I truly found my favorite style: leather wrap bracelets. What started as a personal hobby quickly became a passion. I had more bracelets than I could wear or give away — and after many conversations with my husband, I decided to turn my creative outlet into a small business.
With his support (and his help naming the business — CLeaR Crafts is based on my initials!), I began selling at local craft fairs. As I gained confidence, I branched out to larger vendor events and, eventually, started hosting bracelet-making parties — which became some of my favorite moments of connection and creativity.
Now, I’m expanding again — this time online — to share my work with more people who appreciate handcrafted, meaningful accessories.
Where the Magic Happens
In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband and I were able to build a new home, made possible by his VA disability benefits. We chose a floor plan that gave me something I’d always dreamed of: a large, light-filled craft room.
Before this, I had a small, dark corner of our basement to work in. Now, I get to create in a comfortable, open space that truly inspires me. My kiddo (now an adult!) and our two dogs often join me while I work. Sometimes, my kiddo helps me choose color combinations — or tells me a bracelet needs to be a four-wrap instead of my usual three. Occasionally, they’ll even stick around to make one of their own!
My best friend also plays a big role in this journey — she helps me at craft fairs, assists with setup, and keeps me company while I sell my creations.
Creating Wearable Art
Crafting, for me, is a deeply personal journey where I combine traditional and modern techniques with my own style. Leather wrap bracelets are still my main focus — and the thing I love creating the most. There’s something so cool about wearable art: making something beautiful that becomes part of someone’s daily life.
I don’t know if I have a favorite piece, but I do love working with certain color combinations. Dark blues and light turquoise remind me of the ocean — and the contrast between them always stands out. I also love mixing finishes like glossy and matte beads, or creating tactile textures with Czech glass SuperDuos, which can feel smooth like scales.
A Creative Life
The creative process is always changing — it depends on the day or my mood. I’m always inspired by nature and space, and I use both in my acrylic pour paintings. Whether it’s swirling galaxies or ocean waves, I let the vibrant colors of the world around me lead the way.
Some weekends, I’m lucky enough to craft all day. Most of the time, though, I tuck in a few hours after my full-time job. No matter when, I always look forward to sitting down in my space and creating whatever feels right.
And honestly? One of my favorite parts is getting new supplies — especially leather. There’s nothing like the smell of fresh leather arriving in the mail!
Sharing the Joy
One of the most fulfilling parts of this journey has been watching people wear my jewelry — and even more so when they come back for more. Knowing that something I created brings others joy is the best feeling.
That’s part of why I started offering bracelet-making parties. I love to teach — and sharing creativity with others has been incredibly rewarding. Every party guest leaves with their own piece of wearable art, and many of them tell me they never thought they could make something like that. It’s fun, empowering, and a beautiful way to bring people together.
What’s Next
CLeaR Crafts continues to grow and evolve, just like my creative journey. As I expand my online shop and host more in-person events, my heart is still right where it started — crafting by hand, with love, in Louisville.
Whether you’re browsing, buying, or creating with me, thank you for being a part of this story.
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Courtney
Owner, Designer, and Creator – CLeaR Crafts