Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Thrasher.
Hi Kristina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey began in January 2014. I had a headache unlike anything I had ever had in my life, and that’s when I knew something wasn’t right. I spent the next several weeks going through a spiral of emotions, but with no clue as to why, until one very unforgettable day. I was sitting alone in my house and literally heard a voice say to me, “Kristina, your purpose is to die.” You see, being 36 years old at the time, I had spent most of my life always wondering what my true “purpose” in life actually was. I had no idea that those words would change my life forever.
Moving forward from that moment, I ended up going through a plethora of doctor’s appointments and began medical testing, where there were a lot of mishaps…nothing was textbook. But those tests brought me to the day my phone would ring with my results. I answered the call and was told that I had a brain aneurysm and the size was 6.4mm. I was in shock! I could not believe what I was hearing. Those words to me signified death, only because my grandfather died in his sleep of an aortic aneurysm that no one knew he had while in the hospital for something completely unrelated.
I called my husband to give him the news, then my father. As it turned out, my aunt had just been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm as well and had already begun the journey to finding the best of the best doctors. My dad insisted that I call that same office, which I did. It turns out that my husband started researching too, and as soon as he got home that day, he had a list of names and numbers for the exact same doctors and office that my dad had given me. I immediately began making calls, only to be told there were no appointments available until mid-May…it was almost mid-March by this point…but by the grace of God, there were cancellations that moved my appointment wait time up to 2 weeks instead of 2 months!
Fast forward to the end of March, I went to my first appointment with the Chief of Neurosurgery at Emory and agreed that my best option was to have a Craniotomy with Clipping surgery to correct my aneurysm. This meant full brain surgery, where they would be removing part of my skull to do what they need to do. I was scared to death. I couldn’t believe all of this was actually going to happen, but before my surgery could be scheduled, there needed to be one more test for better images of the aneurysm. I was scheduled for a CT angiogram on April 3, 2014 and this is the day that my life changed forever.
That morning I went in for a routine test but ended up having an adverse reaction while in the recovery room. This adverse reaction caused my blood pressure to drop and my heart to stop. When I woke up, I was surrounded by a room full of medical staff doing what they were trained to do…save my life, and for that I am beyond grateful. But it was that episode that would honestly change my outlook on life forever. You see, I always feared death…stemming back from when my grandfather died from his aneurysm…but after knowing that my heart had stopped, even if only for a matter of seconds, I came to the realization that everything would be ok. It was that event that made me remember the words that I heard so vividly just a couple of months before, and I began to realize that my purpose indeed was to die…but to myself…to my fears. I realized that I had been given a new chance at life!
Fast forward just a few weeks, on April 22, 2014, I went in for my actual surgery and everything went as smoothly as it possibly could. When it was all over, my neurosurgeon came in and told my husband how thankful he was that I didn’t wait because the aneurysm was very “thin-walled and wouldn’t have held up much longer.” I spent 4 days in the hospital and then was discharged to home for recovery. I was extremely blessed not to have any deficits post-surgery, and still very much alive but still struggling with what I was supposed to do with my newfound purpose.
That’s where the furniture came in. I always had a love for seeing the potential in old pieces around my home, but I really began to dive into it deeper as a means of healing. Being creative can be extremely cathartic and fulfilling. Over the next several years, I would find myself repurposing furniture around my home. One of those pieces was my Grandmother’s old china cabinet that no one in the family wanted. It sat in an abandoned house and I couldn’t stand the thought of such a beautiful piece going to waste, so I got approval from my family to bring it home and make it mine! It allowed me to heal through being creative and doing something that I love and sparked a passion for what I do. I always say that painting is my therapy! My Grandma’s china cabinet is now one of my most prized possessions and one of the pieces that was a stepping stone to the creation of my business, re-PURPOSED-ful Furniture & Finishes, which is all about “giving new life to old things.”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Honestly, I don’t think roads are ever completely smooth. There’s always a bump…or five! For me, the biggest struggle has definitely come from not knowing my full potential and doubting my worth. I’m more of a behind-the-scenes kind of person, so starting a business where people see me along with my work has taken some getting used to. I’ve also had to deal with the fears of knowing what I’ve come through and being afraid to push myself. But after having my post-surgical scan earlier this spring with the all-clear, I have been given another boost of confidence and ready to really chase my dreams!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a self-taught furniture artist. I started out as a Home Depot “Opps paint” painter, finding pieces and transforming them for my home on a budget. As I began filling my house up with my work, people started to notice and helped give me the boost of confidence to start my own business, which I did in 2018.
In 2020, a friend finally got me to try Dixie Belle Paint Company Chalk Mineral Paint for the first time and fell in love, so I became a retailer. I was able to take my work to a completely new level and try things that latex paint never would have allowed me to do. They also have a stain line, which is one of the things I am known for, as well as many other products that are complimentary to my work.
Back in 2021, I began doing live videos on Facebook for Dixie Belle and found a love and passion for connecting with people while sharing my knowledge with other DIY’ers out there. I love being able to give others the confidence they need to step outside of their comfort zone and to try things they have always been afraid to try. I always say, if I can do it, you can too! It’s also been amazing to be part of a creative community and has given me the support to push myself harder and further with what I love doing. Being connected to so many creative people has helped me to try things that I would have never even fathomed I’d try…like resin!!!
As far as what I’m known for, I’d have to say color and durability! I love painting pieces with bright pops of color to create accents and statement pieces. I also pride myself in my work, knowing that I do everything in my power to make my finishes as durable as possible. Top coats are everything and the right finish matters!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Again, if I can do it, you can too! Don’t be afraid to research and ask questions. I spent a lot of time on Pinterest trying to figure things out on my own way before social media sites and videos became so readily available with information overload. The ability to search videos to learn new techniques and to gain inspiration is a huge key to success.
Also, always be willing to try new things, learn, and push yourself. I refused to try new things because I was stubborn and always liked to stick to what I know. But I must say, making the change from latex paint to chalk paint has led to so much more. The possibilities are endless!!! And the right tools make a huge difference. You don’t need to have to break the bank, but a good brush is definitely worth the investment over time and will make the biggest difference in your overall outcome!
Little did I know that this entire journey that started almost 9 years ago would lead me to where I am now. In February of 2023, I will be opening my very own store and living every day doing what I love.
Contact Info:
- Website: re-purposed-ful.com
- Instagram: @re.purposed.ful
- Facebook: facebook.com/re.purposed.ful
- Other: http://teaoflifepodcast.com/podcasts/aneurysm-survivor-kristina-thrasher-finds-her-purpose/
