Meet Elizannette Blanco

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizannette Blanco.

Hi Elizannette , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My love for creating things started when I was a child. I’ve always had a vivid imagination and loved making my own costumes, props, and decorations. What started as something I did for fun has grown into a lifelong passion for bringing creative ideas to life.

Over the years, I’ve continued making things for birthday parties, holidays, special events, and neighborhood celebrations, usually for friends, family, and the people around me. I love the challenge of taking an idea and figuring out how to create it myself, especially when it involves thinking outside the box and transforming ordinary materials into something unexpected.

My most recent project has been a Stranger Things-themed haunted house for my neighborhood. I’ve been creating everything from a portal to the Upside Down to a Demogorgon, and even bringing back a Vecna character I made several years ago. Projects like this allow me to combine my love of crafting, costume design, prop making, and storytelling to create an experience that people can enjoy together.

I’ve never approached my creativity as a business; it has always been something I do simply because I love it. But the idea of turning this passion into something more someday is definitely a dream of mine. Being nominated for Hidden Gems across Atlanta is especially meaningful because it’s an opportunity to share something I’ve loved doing since childhood. More than anything, I love seeing an idea come to life and watching the joy, excitement, and sometimes even a little fear it brings to others!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road, but most of my challenges have come from the creative process itself. Since I’ve always done this as a hobby, I usually work with what I have, figure things out as I go, and learn through trial and error. Sometimes an idea in my head is much easier to imagine than it is to bring to life! I’ve had projects that required a lot of patience, unexpected problem-solving, and a willingness to start over when something didn’t work.

Time and budget can also be challenging, especially when I’m creating something elaborate. I often have a vision for how I want something to look, and finding an affordable way to make it happen is part of the adventure. I enjoy the challenge of figuring out how to create something impressive without necessarily spending a fortune.

Since I’ve never officially turned this passion into a business, another challenge is figuring out what that next step might look like. For now, I’m learning, experimenting, and enjoying the freedom to create simply because I love it. I think some of the best things come from being willing to try something new, even when you have no idea exactly how you’re going to pull it off!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My day-to-day work is actually quite different from what many people might expect! I’m a kindergarten paraprofessional at a sweet little school, where I love being part of the children’s world of imagination and discovery. But outside my regular workday, I often find myself creating in a completely different way. I help with production set designs and create costume pieces for school performances, often working outside of school hours because I genuinely love being part of the creative process.

I have a degree in Studio Arts from the University of Miami, and I think that artistic background has always influenced the way I approach projects. Whether I’m creating a costume, building a prop, designing a set, or transforming a space for a neighborhood event, I love taking an idea and figuring out how to make it a reality. I enjoy experimenting with different materials, problem-solving, and finding creative ways to make something look more elaborate than its budget might suggest.

I’m probably best known among my friends, family, and neighbors for going all out when it comes to themed events, especially Halloween! My most recent project, a Stranger Things-themed haunted house for my neighborhood, has been a wonderful opportunity to bring together my love of prop making, costume creation, and immersive experiences.

What I’m most proud of is being able to create things that bring people together and make them feel something, whether that’s excitement, wonder, nostalgia, or even a little fright! I think what sets me apart is that I don’t necessarily need a blueprint or a set of instructions. I can envision something, experiment with how to build it, and keep working until it comes to life. I love the entire process, from the first spark of an idea to seeing people’s reactions when they finally experience it.

I’ve always done this because it makes me happy, and I love sharing that happiness with others. I may not have a formal creative business yet, but creating has been part of who I am for as long as I can remember, and I would love to see where that passion takes me in the future.

How do you think about luck?
I think luck has played a role in the sense that I feel very blessed to have the freedom to create and the opportunities to share that creativity with the people around me. I have a full life, a family, and a job I love, so my creative projects often happen in the little pockets of time I can find. I don’t take for granted that I’m able to pursue something simply because it brings me joy.

I’ve also been fortunate to have friends, family, and a neighborhood community that give me reasons to create. Whether it’s a birthday party, a school performance, or a neighborhood Halloween event, having an opportunity to turn an idea into something people can experience is a gift in itself.

At the same time, I believe a lot of what people might call luck comes from being willing to try, experiment, and keep going even when you aren’t sure how something will turn out. I’ve been creating since I was a child, long before I ever imagined anyone might recognize me for it. This nomination has been a lovely reminder that sometimes the things we do purely out of love can make an impact on others in ways we don’t even realize.

I haven’t turned my passion into a business yet, but I feel fortunate to have something that has brought me so much happiness throughout my life. If it eventually grows into something more, I’ll consider that an incredible blessing, too.

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