Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristie Hansen.
Kristie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I think it was second grade that I decided I wanted to teach art and my thoughts on the matter never wavered. I got my degree in Art Education from Taylor University where I had fantastic professors that made a lasting impact on me. My favorite areas of study always involved process. I’m a sucker for process, things that take time and have a lot of steps. (Putting together Ikea furniture is my jam). Anyway, I dove into ceramics and sculpture. Later, I added printmaking to my list of favorite things.
I got a job at a private school in the Atlanta area, packed up my tiny Honda Civic and moved from my hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania (yes, that’s Amish country). I taught for five years. I loved not being stagnant, constantly changing mediums and being involved in the learning process and watching kids fall in love with art. However, little by little I was doing less of my own creating and not because I didn’t want to. I just didn’t have the time. Ya’ll, being a teacher is hard, time-consuming and sometimes exhausting work.
The summer after my fifth year of teaching I was feeling so uninspired, unmotivated and not myself. I realized that I needed to be spending my time creating, making and simply doing things that bring me life. I left my full-time teaching job and started Hansen House Creative.
The first year, I focused on screen printing. I made journals and banners with sayings, songs and artwork on them. I made my own screens, used the sun to as my light to expose/imprint my designs on the screens and sewed all of the banners myself. Not the easiest thing but remember I’m a sucker for process and let’s face it hard work feels good. I made plenty of mistakes, but learned from them and am better for it. The night before Small Business Saturday my husband finished putting together my website and just like that Hansen House Creative was live. I sold at the Refuge Coffee holiday market and made custom journals for a few organizations. That year, I also started working with Made Gathering, creating backdrops and tablescapes for the events. I also had the opportunity to create cakes, macarons, pastries, and breads for several different events and occasions. That year was busy in the best way. I’m a firm believer that creativity is not a lake, it’s a river, one thing feeds into another (whether it’s baking, woodworking, or printmaking, creativity needs to be constantly stirred).
I am now in my second year of Hansen House. In some ways, it’s still the same and yet constantly changing. I feel less insecure in my art than I was when I first started Hansen House. I have added fiber art pieces to the collection in the form of super fun Pom Pom earrings and weavings. Honestly, I hope that it continues to grow and change. My vision for Hansen House is that it is an ongoing upward spiral.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In my first year of Hansen House, I doubted myself a lot. Was it a good idea to leave a consistent job? Would people like what I was making? Would they buy it? I have a lot of designs that the world may never see. But I don’t delete them because process is important and sometimes the design that goes to print is my first version but more than likely it’s the 7th or 20th design that makes it to print. Some of those unseen designs were just something that I needed to try, to get it out of my head and ultimately it sparked a new idea that was altogether better. I have to constantly remind myself that nothing is in vain. It’s all part of the process of creating and it’s all necessary.
I wouldn’t say that Hansen House is where I hoped it would be by now, but I would also say that I am 100% okay with that. In my first year, comparison to other artisans and small businesses was a huge hindrance for me. I thought I needed more immediate results and a higher volume of orders. However, just like you shouldn’t try to rush the proofing process while making bread, I don’t want to rush my process with Hansen House. Everything has its time.
Please tell us about Hansen House Creative.
Hansen House Creative provides small handmade goods with positive messaging and feels good vibes. We specialize in hand printed paper goods, banners, tea towels, and fiber jewelry. I also offer custom journals for events and organizations. The thing that sets my work apart and what I am most proud of are one in the same. When I make work from for Hansen House Creative, I am sharing my experience and viewpoint. The collection of journals I released this last year were designs straight out of my personal journals. They were scripture or sayings that I needed to hear at some point in time and it was encouraging to see people respond to that.
What’s your favorite memory from childhood?
I don’t think I can land on just one occasion. However, I did grow up with a very crafty mama and some of my fondest memories always included creating. I remember making homemade pasta. Creating my own paper doll clothes. I remember making my first sculptures, hammering scraps pieces of wood when I was still in grade school. I remember my parents indulging me and eating food that I had “invented”. I remember almost weekly trips to the craft store for 2”x2” needlepoint kits, a latch hook rug of a sunflower and A LOT of color-in Lisa Frank velveteen posters.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Hansenhousecreative.etsy.com
- Email: hansenhousecreative@gmail.com
- Instagram: @hansenhousecreative @kristie_hansen
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/hansenhousecreative
Image Credit:
Brian Hansen
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
