Today we’d like to introduce you to Lainey Mullane.
Hi Lainey, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My interest for art and storytelling started when I was young. I’ve always been drawn to creating; through stories, music, art, design. I dabbled in a bit of all of it growing up. It wasn’t until college that I found a deeper love for art and design, first through painting. That slowly morphed into a love of woodworking and architecture, leading to the development of my business, Carved KC. While it was a passion of mine, I treated it more like a side-hustle hobby from 2019 until 2024, slowly finding my groove in the craft. It wasn’t until the beginning of this year that I finally decided to throw caution to the wind and take a stab at running Carved KC full time. Cause I believe that when you have a dream, you owe it yourself to chase it.
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?
I don’t think smooth roads build big dreams. So while it’s nice to ride on them, it would be naive to think you’re never going to encounter your fair share of potholes and road construction.
The biggest struggle for me has just been leaning in to my own ability. Art is very much an extension of the person creating it, it can be very intimate and personal to share at times — kinda like standing in front of a crowd in just your underwear, “here I am”. I still struggle with self-doubt from time to time, wondering if people will like what I’ve created, or if they’ll think it’s good.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in woodworking and design. I would say I’m currently most known for my live edge charcuterie boards, but I love to always be evolving my craft and creating new things. Whether it’s a woodworking item, or renovating a space. I think I push the boundaries of a traditional “woodworker”, I think that’s what sets me apart mainly. I don’t necessarily look or act the part, and I enjoy creating things that are a little more out of the box. I’m definitely starting to find my own groove and add more of my own flare to my work, and that’s what I’m most proud of. Just staying true to who I am in the process.
At the end of the day I think everyone should love what they do. I’m here for the joy and the play of it all, and I want that not only to shine through the physical work I create, but also the vibe I set in my shop. I love to laugh, I love to dance, and I love to have fun in the process of it all.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Oh man, I was wild and fearless. I think I pretty much lived outside. If there was a body of water I was in it, if there was a cliff to climb I was on it, if there was a sport to be played with bigger and older kids I was playing it and being knocked around in the process.
I loved to push the boundary and didn’t like being told I couldn’t do something. I remember the first day of kindergarten I went to school in a dress, and at recess the boys didn’t pick me for their kickball team cause I was in one. Needless to say I didn’t wear a single dress to school after that day, and went on to kick my fair share of home runs. If I set my mind to something, I was going to do it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carvedkc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carvedkc
