Rising Stars: Meet Kassidy Morrow

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kassidy Morrow.

Hi Kassidy; thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Since I was little, I’ve been creative and had big ideas. We didn’t have much as I was growing up, my mother was a single mom of three, and times were often challenging, but I never wanted for much when I had a paper and pencil. I’d spend days drawing, reading, writing, and exploring the earth. As I’ve grown, it’s felt like all that fun had slipped out of my life with the responsibilities of working to survive the world on my own. I didn’t like that and wanted a way to combine work and play. For me, Krafting Eclectic was the answer. With this business, I could create to my heart’s content and share it with the world!

I started my business journey by myself. I wanted to open a shop where I’d have handmade creations in the front and a shareable crafting space filled with supplies in the back for me and other artists in the area to come and create at just the cost of the supplies used. I’d also include a thrift area for perfectly fine clothes, a photography studio for me and any other photographers to rent out, and a coffee shop for a pick-me-up while shopping or creating.

I’m still a long way from that, as I only attend pop-up markets now, but with time and effort, I know it’ll happen. I’ve also opened my website for other creators all over so that I won’t be alone, like my kindergarten best friend, Missy and her sister Beverly. I want to offer a place for small creators that can’t afford fees, and the portion of sales other sites take from your sales. I was already paying for the site anyway, so why not share it with others?

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?
It hasn’t been the smoothest of roads; there have been many disappointing markets or bad sales months. I hear “the economy is terrible” everywhere and believe it. I’ve seen many young businesses slowly fade away.

When I was on my own, handling those hurdles, everything felt extremely difficult. With the wonderful additions of Bit’s and Bob’s by Beverly, Entangled Elements, and Crystaleen Creations, we now have each other to get through those feelings. To motivate and inspire each other to keep going and push our limits. It also helps to have a good support system when I travel from Colorado to Kansas City for events. All three of those wonderful creators are local and do amazing work! I’m honored to be able to work with them and visit often to work together! With many hands, boulders are easier to move, and getting a business up and running feels like a heavy boulder. Our little group keeps pushing, and I can feel it budging.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in upcycling, photography, and art. I started with photography, then with resin art, and I still love them and do customs for resin and photography shoots when requested, but I’m finding my heart leaning away from those and going into things that turn trash into treasures again. I eventually want to open a location that will be sized according to measurements and not corporate sizing charts. I will have items that previously had holes or stains that have been upcycled to look completely different and new. For items that were already wonderful, I’d price them at a reasonable price point. My items wouldn’t cost $10 for a shirt or pair of pants if I only washed the item.

In my reimagined thrift shop, I pay every person for donations. That way, they get something in return for sparing their items from landfills and other nonprofit companies known to overprice items they get for free and underpay their employees. If located in the Denver area, I will pick them up, and anywhere else, I will help pay for shipping your items and pay for them.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
The resource that helps me the most is creative refuse centers. They are found all over the US; a few are in the Kansas City area. Books, art, and performance art have also been helping to inspire and relax me on stressful days. My favorite authors are Kimberly Richardson, who also make unique teas inspired by novels and different experiences with her business, Veridian Tea Company, and M.S. Chambers. The adventures Tabatha goes on in “Pearls of the Sea” helps me look at things differently. Also, the way MS describes the locations is so inspiring! I feel like I’m right there in the forests of Maine with her. I’ve also loved seeing performances that others put on. Ever since I was little, I would get lost in acting and performing. It’s such a beautiful art! I also listen to a lot of music while I work; I love the classics like Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, Journey, Fleetwood Mac, and so much more. I’ve been banned from playing music with friends on car trips because my music is everywhere. One second is rap or musicals; the next, it’s jazz, French, or K-pop. Just like my business, I’m also very eclectic.

Pricing:

• Photography $300-$1,500
• Handcrafted goods $5-$60
• Thrifted goods $3-$15
• Upcycled goods $10-$35

Contact Info:

• Website: Kraftingeclectic.com
• Instagram: Kraftingeclectic
• Facebook: Kraftingeclectic

Image Credits
KraftyB Photography