>When Noah was around six months old, I was struggling with postpartum depression and not having a car. I discovered that the Guidance Center ran playgroups in the building next to our complex. I think I may have sat there and cried in the Family Resource Center when I found it. They probably thought I was crazy, but it was a gift from God, literally. So was our playgroup teacher, Casey. She was so kind and excellent with the boys. We were very sad when she moved out-of-state to pursue another degree.
Casey and I have kept in touch through Facebook. She is back in Michigan until she is ready to move to pursue a new career. Today I have the genuine pleasure of introducing you to Casey, one of our angels. Here she is in her own words.
Hi! My name is Casey Janowski and I am very excited that Jenny asked me to be part of her blog!
To tell you a little about myself, I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and work as a substitute teacher and full-time crafter. I am the mom of a mini Lop rabbit named Peanut, who is my furry child and my world. Most of what I would like to share is how I got to where I am today. I am 28 and feel fortunate to have had all of the wonderful experiences I have had so early in life. Life is crazy and unpredictable and as much as I get frustrated when things don’t work out, I have learned that doors open all the time. It’s a matter of walking through them and taking chances. Sometimes it scares me how things work out so perfectly. We may think everything is falling apart, but give it some time to sink in. I don’t know if I believe in coincidence.
So, please bear with me as we move through my world. I promise there will be a point!
I have had many jobs, starting when I was 14 years old. Most kids have dreams of being something specific when they grow up, I always wanted to be an “artist”. Knowing nothing of the art world growing up, I did my thing and opportunities seemed to fall in my lap. My earliest art accomplishment was winning a coloring contest for Farmer Jack and Rice-a-Roni which landed my family a trip to Disneyland when I was in 3rd grade.
When I went to college, I told my mom I wanted to major in Art. Thankfully, I had parents that were supportive and encouraged me. Little did I know, having an art degree didn’t bring me many job opportunities after graduation. I dove into the art scene where I lived and sat on the Board of Directors of an art group that held black tie art shows. They were successful but I didn’t stick out (and I wanted to!) Returning to Michigan after living in sunny Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for 11 years, I found myself lost in the drowning economy, jobless, broke, scared, and well frankly…cold! I found a post for a position in AmeriCorps.
If you are unfamiliar with AmeriCorps, it’s the domestic version of the Peace Corps. This was NOT a position to make money. We received a very small, microscopic even, living allowance, but as hard as it was to stay on a budget, the experiences that I had were priceless. This job helped me discover my love for teaching which led me to graduate school to receive my recent Master of Art in Teaching for Art Education. This job also taught me how to network and talk to people, a skill that is so valuable in every aspect of life. After completing 2 years of service, I took on 4 jobs at once to catch up with my finances. Unfortunately, 4 jobs still wasn’t cutting it.
During this time, in late 2008, I somehow had time to juggle 4 jobs and “play” and make art. My boyfriend introduced me to a nice treasure of vintage magazines and catalogs ranging from the 30’s – 50’s. I started cutting up the magazines and created a cute little key chain for my boyfriend that basically blossomed into my Fartsy Arts business. I had so much fun with these magazines that I started making so many items that I couldn’t find anything to do with all of them.
Back in 2006 I attended my first Indie Craft Fair – which is basically crafters that make not so ordinary crafts. The items you find at these shows tend to be a little funky, a little edgy, and super fun! I remembered attending and telling myself, “I am going to do one of these one day!” Since I had the product, I applied for my first show in the summer of 2008 and got accepted! This show was literally 3 months after I started making my goods. I couldn’t believe the reaction I got from people! They loved my stuff AND they were paying me for my jewelry! After this two day show, I became addicted to art fairs. I applied to every one I came across. I met so many great people through these shows, vendors and customers, and because I felt comfortable talking and networking, I started putting myself out there and not being afraid to seek out information about this new world I was entering. My new friends began sharing all of their secrets which allowed me to participate in several shows a year. I was in heaven!
The confidence to meet and talk with new people and the passion for what I am doing has been the winning combo to allow me to do what I do and enjoy it! Never did I think this small key chain I made one evening turn into the small business I have today. Because of the success and interest in Fartsy Arts by so many people, there are big plans to begin mass marketing my greeting cards and possibly some of the jewelry. I am thankful that I have several shows lined up for the holidays and I am putting my creativity to work to provide fun and affordable gifts for shoppers this year.
When Jenny mentioned the part about me teaching you all something, I will admit I had no idea what to write! There are two things that I can give credit to what I am doing now: Passion and networking.
We all have different passions, but the important thing is that we have them and, there are people out there that share our passions! Now we have to find them, collaborate, help each other, and succeed. Don’t be afraid to start a conversation with a stranger. Some of my most meaningful, exciting, and informative conversations were with people I met once and never knew their name. You never know how people can help you or how you can help them, which can be just as, if not more, rewarding. Keep your ears open and your mouth chatting! You never know if you don’t try and don’t give up on your passion. Hey, maybe you will discover a new passion you never knew YOU had! A recent professor of mine really drilled it into our brains that teaching art is advocating to everyone what you and your students do. Advocate for what you are passionate about and I bet you will grab people’s attention.
I hope you will visit my site and see what I love to do. I greatly enjoy doing custom work at affordable prices. Keep a light heart and a belly of laughs.
For those who are interested in Peanut the bunny, he also has his own website and blog.
