Daily Inspiration: Meet Lee Ann Mahoney

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lee Ann Mahoney

Hi Lee Ann, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a little girl my grandmother taught me how to sew. In 2009 she walked me through my first quilt. I started Craftology in 2010 making quilts and fleece blankets. Shortly after, I started doing vendor events and craft shows with my grandmother in the KC Metro area. In 2015 I became pregnant with my first child and made all their baby things; crib sheets, burb cloths, sensory tag toys, pacifier clips, etc. That transferred over into my business and provided a niche for me to focus my efforts in. My customers and I wanted to personalize items so In 2019 I got a cricut machine and started using heat transfer vinyl. This lead into onesies, then family/mommy & me matching sets. I started doing my own tye dying. In 2021 I branched out and got into a few local boutiques in the area. With my love of sewing and other crafty things my business keeps evolving and is currently centered around handmade and/or embellished apparel and other crafty things.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being the sole proprietor of your business is definitely not easy. The first few years were rough. But you learn from each event or show or custom order. Doing vendor events/craft shows each one can have their own struggles. Outside shows you never know what the weather is going to do here in the mid-west. Making sure you have all of your display items, how to set up, and take down as one person. Some events/shows are great with good foot traffic and some are not so great. You learn which ones to attend on a regular basis. Finding what people are looking for and what you want or love to make may not always coincide however this is a business.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I create my own designs and print them on apparel. I specialize in unique one of a kind items. Everything is handmade by me. One of the things I’m most proud of is when I see people in public wearing my apparel or receiving acknowledgement of how something I made for them or a loved one is cherished. What sets me apart from others is my quality and wide variety of services and experiences working with a lot of different mediums.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
As a kid growing up I was in girl scouts. In high school I was in choir and theatre. I majored in theatre performance from UMKC. I have always been creative. My grandmother taught me how to sew as a kid and then as a teen helped me make my own clothes.

Pricing:

• T-Shirts range from $20-$30
• Sweaters range from $35-$60
• T-Shirt Blankets are $18 per shirt with a 9 shirt minimum
• Custom orders inquire within

Contact Info:

• Website: https://craftologyks.square.site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Craftologyks
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Craftology
• Other: https://linktr.ee/craftologyks

Image Credits
Kelsey Mahoney Photography