February 7, 2025 • 13 mins
How do you decide whether to share your creative work with the world or keep it personal? On this episode of Brewtifully Made, I navigate this artistic dilemma while celebrating an unexpected honor: the Woman of Distinction award from a local group in Stark County, Soroptimist International of Canton/Stark County. This recognition has sparked a deep reflection on the power of art and its role in community building. Join me as I recount the journey of creating a nurturing space for artists within my gallery, and how this accolade might inspire new opportunities for memory-making and engagement.
It's not just about the art, but also about giving back, and I'm thrilled to share my involvement with the Wishes Can Happen organization. With a $200 donation as part of my award, I chose to support them, marking over a decade of heartfelt collaboration. Listen to stories of creating a craft room for a young girl named Iris, battling cancer, and the joy of dressing up as a giant rabbit to bring smiles to children during tough times. This episode underscores the magic of art, kindness, and community coming together to make a real difference.
Soroptimist International of Canton/Stark County
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Tickets for March 8 luncheon at the Canton Women’s Club
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Hello, welcome back to a new episode of Brutally
Made.
It's nice to be back.
The new month, it's Februaryand a lot is happening.
I recently was recognized by agroup here in the Stark County
(00:28):
area and I have really just hadto take a moment to think about
how to just accept being seenand as an artist, it's something
that when you're working on art, you make a decision Do I want
(00:49):
my art to be out there in theworld for everyone to see or am
I making it just for myself andI really don't want to share it?
And either way it's fine, youknow, no, no right or wrong.
But then when you step outsideof that part of making art and
you want to create a space likeI have to give to other people
(01:13):
an opportunity to create andencourage and inspire people and
create, I guess, an opportunityto just share other artists,
like I have at the gallery andthings like that, you hope that
people accept it and embrace itand want to be part of it,
(01:36):
because that's all part ofreally the surrounding basis of
creating a community surroundedby art.
And this group and town sawthat that's my heart and that I
wanted to do that and haverecognized me for an award
(02:01):
called Woman of Distinction andI was totally shocked, had no
idea that they, you know, saw meas that and so Serapimus I'm
always going to mess up theirnames and I apologize
(02:30):
international and this groupreally promotes the best of
women and that is an honor to beawarded such a recognition.
And I am blown away and it'snot a reason I started my
company and business and sharingmy art you know it's not for
accolades Yet people are likeyou deserve them all and which
(02:55):
is just the sweetest thing tosay.
I just am humbled by being seenin that light, because I just
want people to feel embraced andencouraged and accepted and
know that they have a space tocreate and their voice can be
heard, and I love that.
(03:17):
That's exactly what they sawand what I was doing and want to
showcase that doing and want toshowcase that.
I'm hoping that with the awardcomes people stopping by the
shop and taking a moment withtheir friends and family and
making a memory, because that'sthe whole basis of it.
(03:39):
That's why I want I want peopleto feel like they can go out
and achieve their dreams andencourage others and find our
place and space in this worldand make it accessible for other
people and decide I want tocreate and I'm only going to do
(04:00):
it for myself, or this is goingto encourage me to do things
this way in my business.
Just take it and run with it asthey see fit for what fits
their dreams and lifestyle, andthat's.
I'm just again blown away and Icannot thank them enough for
(04:20):
taking a moment to revieweverything that I'm doing.
I don't know who nominated me.
I appreciate that so much.
Mary and Isabella, who cameinto the shop, have been in my
shop taking classes and enjoyedworkshops and shopped, and so
(04:43):
they had been there before andthey were the ones that had
stopped by and gave me the awardand told me you know, I guess,
gave me the information that Ihad been awarded.
There's a luncheon in Marchthat people can attend and
(05:04):
that's where it's likeofficially presented.
And another layer of this isthat I get to present a check to
a nonprofit of my choice andit's $200.
And that's just incredible tome that they allow that to be
part of the recognition I chose.
(05:26):
Wishes Can Happen because I'vebeen involved with them for over
10 years and I wanted to giveback a little bit in any way
that I can.
I'm helping grant a wish for ayoung lady, iris, who has been
battling cancer.
She's 12.
And her wish was to have acraft room and I got to be part
(05:50):
of creating that space andshopping with her and her
sisters and mom and getting somematerials together for her
craft dreams.
I loved being part of that.
And I've done other things withthe organization on top of
volunteering and providingcreative oh, my goodness, I've
(06:14):
done decorating, I've done facepainting, helping celebrate
parties, for some of thechildren was presentations, just
, oh, my goodness, presentinggifts.
I've dressed up as a giantrabbit to present bunnies to a
little girl.
I'm just, you know, taking amoment to be able to give back
(06:36):
to these families that arebattling such, you know,
difficult times.
So it is, you know, one of theorganizations that I love
helping, and so I selected themas the recipient of that check,
which, again, I appreciate thisorganization so, so much for
allowing me to be recognized forwhat I'm doing, because it's
(07:00):
really I want it to all fullycome back to the community.
I really want it to be areflection of how much the
community has embraced what I'mdoing and enjoying it and seeing
it for what it is and allowingme to be part of that in their
(07:21):
lives.
It's just something that meansso much to me.
But it's just amazing, as anartist, how people are touched
and inspired by what you do inways that you have no idea what
you do out in the world is isreally being seen in ways that
you aren't planning and aren'tpreparing for.
(07:45):
It's just a reflection of youknow how other people are taking
it in.
So I just wanted to talk alittle bit about that and just
the unexpected joys of beingyourself and finding your voice
and, you know, leaning into yourstyle and in what you do, and I
(08:09):
am literally just puttingthings out there that bring me
joy and that make me happy andsharing it and hoping it makes
somebody else just as happy asit makes me.
And that's exactly what'shappening and that is amazing.
I'm not being quiet about it.
I am, you know, sharingeverything that I can, because I
(08:33):
can, because I it's just partof me.
I have to, I have to becreative, I have to do this on a
daily basis and it's just likeair to me, it's just like
breathing.
It's just I can't.
There's no other way to explainit.
It's just part of me and I feellike it always has been part of
(08:53):
me and now I am just notbacking down and I hope that
this you know little discussionon embracing what you're feeling
is your passion and doing thatand making it happen encourages
(09:14):
you and, along the way, otherpeople may recognize it and feel
inspired by it and just go withit, let it happen and thank
them, be very genuine about it,and I hope that they see how
(09:36):
humble I am, I, I, I have beenin all of this.
I just I can't believe thatpeople like the things that I'm
doing on that level.
So, thank you, thank you so, somuch, and I, um, I do hope that
(09:59):
, uh, it continues to blossomthe way that it has.
The entire year is booked nowwith exhibiting artists and 2026
is now over a third of the waybooked.
I love that.
I have not like advertised forthat.
(10:22):
I've just shared what I'm doingand artists are contacting me
and they're wanting to be seenand their work seen, and that's
what I'm here for and I lovethat.
This month Tom Wachunas is ourexhibiting artist and his
opening reception is thisweekend and I'm really excited
(10:43):
for him to have that, and thennext week is his round table
discussion about his work andall the years that he has put
into that and a slideshow of hiswork.
So I'm very excited about thatand I am just embracing our
creative community and findingways to share their work as well
(11:04):
in my space, and it'saccessible to everyone.
So that's really important tome.
So I just wanted to hop ontoday and say hello for February
and update you to what's goingon.
Links are in the show, notesabout the organization and the
(11:28):
award and Tom's work, and I havehim on the podcast this month
talking about it as well.
So I'm looking forward to that.
Oh, my goodness, so many greatclasses are happening, so many
new teachers are signing up, allkinds of creative stuff
happening.
There's just, you know, no endin sight, and that's that's what
(11:50):
I want.
I want to share as manydifferent ways to be creative as
possible, and it's manydifferent people sharing their
love for that too.
Oh, my goodness, I hope itinspires you to do something
that you have on your heart andshare with me what you're doing.
I would love to celebrate youand you know this podcast and
(12:14):
platform is also available toyou know, discuss with me what
you're wanting to do.
Let's just talk about it.
I'm willing to have, you know,guests on um that are listening
in and want to, you know, divedeeper into, like, how this is
happening for you and how do yousee it evolving with your
(12:36):
dreams.
I get asked that a lot and, um,I was just on a group chat
yesterday and the leadership ofthat chat were like, we're going
to have you on as a guest andshe's alluded to that before and
I'm like, okay, okay, but Ithink she's serious.
So I'm excited about sharingjust really what I'm doing.
(12:59):
I feel like I am flying by theseat of my pants.
I really do.
It's not.
You know, I did have a businessplan.
I do have a business plan.
I have things written out, butreally it is all from my heart
and I think that's where youneed to start.
So have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks for listening in andremember you are brutally made
(13:19):
and I celebrate you every day inevery endeavor that you are
seeking to do.
So take care and I will talk toyou next time.
Bye-bye.
Hello, welcome back to a new episode of Brutally
Made.
It's nice to be back.
The new month, it's Februaryand a lot is happening.
I recently was recognized by agroup here in the Stark County
(00:28):
area and I have really just hadto take a moment to think about
how to just accept being seenand as an artist, it's something
that when you're working on art, you make a decision Do I want
(00:49):
my art to be out there in theworld for everyone to see or am
I making it just for myself andI really don't want to share it?
And either way it's fine, youknow, no, no right or wrong.
But then when you step outsideof that part of making art and
you want to create a space likeI have to give to other people
(01:13):
an opportunity to create andencourage and inspire people and
create, I guess, an opportunityto just share other artists,
like I have at the gallery andthings like that, you hope that
people accept it and embrace itand want to be part of it,
(01:36):
because that's all part ofreally the surrounding basis of
creating a community surroundedby art.
And this group and town sawthat that's my heart and that I
wanted to do that and haverecognized me for an award
(02:01):
called Woman of Distinction andI was totally shocked, had no
idea that they, you know, saw meas that and so Serapimus I'm
always going to mess up theirnames and I apologize
(02:30):
international and this groupreally promotes the best of
women and that is an honor to beawarded such a recognition.
And I am blown away and it'snot a reason I started my
company and business and sharingmy art you know it's not for
accolades Yet people are likeyou deserve them all and which
(02:55):
is just the sweetest thing tosay.
I just am humbled by being seenin that light, because I just
want people to feel embraced andencouraged and accepted and
know that they have a space tocreate and their voice can be
heard, and I love that.
(03:17):
That's exactly what they sawand what I was doing and want to
showcase that doing and want toshowcase that.
I'm hoping that with the awardcomes people stopping by the
shop and taking a moment withtheir friends and family and
making a memory, because that'sthe whole basis of it.
(03:39):
That's why I want I want peopleto feel like they can go out
and achieve their dreams andencourage others and find our
place and space in this worldand make it accessible for other
people and decide I want tocreate and I'm only going to do
(04:00):
it for myself, or this is goingto encourage me to do things
this way in my business.
Just take it and run with it asthey see fit for what fits
their dreams and lifestyle, andthat's.
I'm just again blown away and Icannot thank them enough for
(04:20):
taking a moment to revieweverything that I'm doing.
I don't know who nominated me.
I appreciate that so much.
Mary and Isabella, who cameinto the shop, have been in my
shop taking classes and enjoyedworkshops and shopped, and so
(04:43):
they had been there before andthey were the ones that had
stopped by and gave me the awardand told me you know, I guess,
gave me the information that Ihad been awarded.
There's a luncheon in Marchthat people can attend and
(05:04):
that's where it's likeofficially presented.
And another layer of this isthat I get to present a check to
a nonprofit of my choice andit's $200.
And that's just incredible tome that they allow that to be
part of the recognition I chose.
(05:26):
Wishes Can Happen because I'vebeen involved with them for over
10 years and I wanted to giveback a little bit in any way
that I can.
I'm helping grant a wish for ayoung lady, iris, who has been
battling cancer.
She's 12.
And her wish was to have acraft room and I got to be part
(05:50):
of creating that space andshopping with her and her
sisters and mom and getting somematerials together for her
craft dreams.
I loved being part of that.
And I've done other things withthe organization on top of
volunteering and providingcreative oh, my goodness, I've
(06:14):
done decorating, I've done facepainting, helping celebrate
parties, for some of thechildren was presentations, just
, oh, my goodness, presentinggifts.
I've dressed up as a giantrabbit to present bunnies to a
little girl.
I'm just, you know, taking amoment to be able to give back
(06:36):
to these families that arebattling such, you know,
difficult times.
So it is, you know, one of theorganizations that I love
helping, and so I selected themas the recipient of that check,
which, again, I appreciate thisorganization so, so much for
allowing me to be recognized forwhat I'm doing, because it's
(07:00):
really I want it to all fullycome back to the community.
I really want it to be areflection of how much the
community has embraced what I'mdoing and enjoying it and seeing
it for what it is and allowingme to be part of that in their
(07:21):
lives.
It's just something that meansso much to me.
But it's just amazing, as anartist, how people are touched
and inspired by what you do inways that you have no idea what
you do out in the world is isreally being seen in ways that
you aren't planning and aren'tpreparing for.
(07:45):
It's just a reflection of youknow how other people are taking
it in.
So I just wanted to talk alittle bit about that and just
the unexpected joys of beingyourself and finding your voice
and, you know, leaning into yourstyle and in what you do, and I
(08:09):
am literally just puttingthings out there that bring me
joy and that make me happy andsharing it and hoping it makes
somebody else just as happy asit makes me.
And that's exactly what'shappening and that is amazing.
I'm not being quiet about it.
I am, you know, sharingeverything that I can, because I
(08:33):
can, because I it's just partof me.
I have to, I have to becreative, I have to do this on a
daily basis and it's just likeair to me, it's just like
breathing.
It's just I can't.
There's no other way to explainit.
It's just part of me and I feellike it always has been part of
(08:53):
me and now I am just notbacking down and I hope that
this you know little discussionon embracing what you're feeling
is your passion and doing thatand making it happen encourages
(09:14):
you and, along the way, otherpeople may recognize it and feel
inspired by it and just go withit, let it happen and thank
them, be very genuine about it,and I hope that they see how
(09:36):
humble I am, I, I, I have beenin all of this.
I just I can't believe thatpeople like the things that I'm
doing on that level.
So, thank you, thank you so, somuch, and I, um, I do hope that
(09:59):
, uh, it continues to blossomthe way that it has.
The entire year is booked nowwith exhibiting artists and 2026
is now over a third of the waybooked.
I love that.
I have not like advertised forthat.
(10:22):
I've just shared what I'm doingand artists are contacting me
and they're wanting to be seenand their work seen, and that's
what I'm here for and I lovethat.
This month Tom Wachunas is ourexhibiting artist and his
opening reception is thisweekend and I'm really excited
(10:43):
for him to have that, and thennext week is his round table
discussion about his work andall the years that he has put
into that and a slideshow of hiswork.
So I'm very excited about thatand I am just embracing our
creative community and findingways to share their work as well
(11:04):
in my space, and it'saccessible to everyone.
So that's really important tome.
So I just wanted to hop ontoday and say hello for February
and update you to what's goingon.
Links are in the show, notesabout the organization and the
(11:28):
award and Tom's work, and I havehim on the podcast this month
talking about it as well.
So I'm looking forward to that.
Oh, my goodness, so many greatclasses are happening, so many
new teachers are signing up, allkinds of creative stuff
happening.
There's just, you know, no endin sight, and that's that's what
(11:50):
I want.
I want to share as manydifferent ways to be creative as
possible, and it's manydifferent people sharing their
love for that too.
Oh, my goodness, I hope itinspires you to do something
that you have on your heart andshare with me what you're doing.
I would love to celebrate youand you know this podcast and
(12:14):
platform is also available toyou know, discuss with me what
you're wanting to do.
Let's just talk about it.
I'm willing to have, you know,guests on um that are listening
in and want to, you know, divedeeper into, like, how this is
happening for you and how do yousee it evolving with your
(12:36):
dreams.
I get asked that a lot and, um,I was just on a group chat
yesterday and the leadership ofthat chat were like, we're going
to have you on as a guest andshe's alluded to that before and
I'm like, okay, okay, but Ithink she's serious.
So I'm excited about sharingjust really what I'm doing.
(12:59):
I feel like I am flying by theseat of my pants.
I really do.
It's not.
You know, I did have a businessplan.
I do have a business plan.
I have things written out, butreally it is all from my heart
and I think that's where youneed to start.
So have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks for listening in andremember you are brutally made
(13:19):
and I celebrate you every day inevery endeavor that you are
seeking to do.
So take care and I will talk toyou next time.
Bye-bye.
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