Foundation  - Organization -  Creatvity

In 2004, I embarked on my artisan journey, leaving behind a 14-year career in corporate Property Management to explore my talents and skills as a Decorative Artisan. I walked away from an industry that had provided every resource to climb the ladder, assuming the artisan world would offer similar support. What I discovered was very different—the decorative artisan industry was a fragmented puzzle, waiting to be solved and pieced together.

I took countless classes and workshops, earning certifications from faux schools, most of which were product-driven rather than skill-based and accredited. What I needed was a solid Foundation—training rooted in the core principles of the decorative artisan trade. I wanted a place where I could invest my time, energy, and resources to follow a consistent, structured path to becoming a skilled artisan. I needed to learn not just techniques but also the history, the tools, surface preparation, application methods, finishing touches, trade secrets, and how to complete projects from start to finish.

As I began working on projects with creative crews, I quickly realized I lacked the Organization necessary to succeed at a higher level. I needed standard operating procedures, project management skills, and hands-on, structured training to develop my craft over time. I needed an apprenticeship experience that would allow me to practice, refine, and master each aspect of the trade.

But my journey wasn’t just about honing my skills as an artisan—I also needed guidance to grow as a creative entrepreneur. I lacked the mentorship, coaching, and industry support that would have helped me build a sustainable business. In Property Management, I had the tools and resources to thrive, but as an artisan, I found myself navigating an underdeveloped industry with little support. What I needed was an industry that empowered and elevated creative artisans.

As the sole provider for my household, with four young children under 10, I found myself immersed in a profession that lacked the infrastructure seen in other trades like electricians, painters, plumbers, architects, and construction companies. These industries had well-established associations, training centers, continuing education programs, and apprenticeships—clear paths to success. In comparison, my journey as an artisan felt disconnected and linear.

These experiences, combined with my background in property management, fueled my mission to not only find the solutions I needed but to embark to change the trajectory of the artisan industry itself.

Through Creativity, we have envisioned ways to strengthen our industry by growing and developing our association, building strong local chapters, and forming Collective Artisans Collaboration Teams to drive community impact, build strong trade alliances and partnerships, and develop a Decorative Artisans Training Center, all with the goal of creating an artisan-driven industry.

Our core beliefs—Foundation, Organization, and Creativity—guide everything we do. We’re not just offering handcrafted finishes; we’re building a movement to elevate the artisan industry. Our mission is to strengthen the artisan experience, advocate for the resources needed for further advancement, and foster collaboration. Together, we are laying the groundwork for an artisan industry sustained and driven by Creative Artisans.

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