As a young woman living in South Florida, transplanted from Mid-Michigan, my artwork has stayed with me along the way. Art is healing and freeing, allowing you to express yourself and motivate your mind when you are at your lowest. Art holds a special place in my heart, keep reading if you'd like to know why..Born to a young mother with her own artistic talents, I was drawn to creativity from a very young age. I remember going through my mothers huge portfolio containing pieces she had made herself throughout the years. This alone sparked my creativity early on.
When you were young I bet you also had one of these. Do you remember those huge variety art boxes filled with a rainbow of colorful tools to create? I feel like most of us had one at some point which sparked some creativity in the household. Well mine got plenty of use during those times. As an only child with working parents I would spend a lot of time alone and with that time I chose to create.
Beginning with that coloring box set and leveling up to sculpting a realistic dolphin for a 3rd grade project, my art obsession continued to progress. Throughout school art was my favorite subject, along with English as I have two teachers for parents. I kept the spark alive with different mediums and projects. Going to the book store and finding the amazing creation sets with window paintings, sketching books, clay creations and more. I couldn't get enough of creativity and that continued to adulthood.
Coming into adulthood I had to keep up my creativity. I was obsessed with makeup and nail art, learning all I could from youtube and such. Then it was on to special effects make up, which I still love today because horror is life. But I began to realize that I wanted to take my art more seriously and find a niche for a business.
Jewelry making caught my eye very quickly. Seeing clay blocks transform into gorgeous beads and wearable art drew me in right away. I started with polymer clay and created Keys Klay Beads which was my first jewelry business. That had a lot of kinks to work out and I found that clay was not the medium I preferred to work with. During my time learning with clay, I discover resin and my perspective on art changed completely.
Seeing beautiful shining colors swirling on paintings and turned into wearable art, I couldn't keep my eyes off of the pieces being created! This was the medium for me, I soon started trying resin and slowly got better with precision and creativity. I discovered that I could associate this artwork with something near and dear to me in order to create my niche. Along with jewelry, home decor, and other items that are somewhat standard, I needed to create something that I could use everyday. I knew just what to create, smoking tools and accessories.Being a person that deals with chronic pain and illnesses, cannabis has become a huge part of my life in order for me to heal and continue living. Several years ago I had a surgery to correct my sunken chest in which a titanium bar is placed in my chest. The bar was set and secured to my rib cage for 4 long grueling years. I had the worst bone-on-mental excruciating non-stop pain for those years because of a surgeon that did not place the bar properly. I was debilitated for months and the only thing that kept me going was cannabis and my artwork..I knew I had to combine them.
Decorated useful tools were the way for me to go along with rolling trays and other daily items used by smokers like myself. I decided to create what I wanted which included sharp tools that are easy to clean, easy to use long clip tools to save your nails, and beautiful trays for vanities and rolling up on. These items are still somewhat taboo even in a legal state such as mine so I have had plenty of troubles selling my tools. But the need to share my art and connect with others won't stop, I love sharing what I make and seeing the amazing feedback from customers that have turned into friends. There is something about being a small business owner that brings you closer to people and the vulnerability of putting your work out into the world is so worth it. Don't ever be afraid to share what you love or make or do, you are you and that is always more than good enough! I try my hardest in life despite my daily struggles because I know there are many others like me or that have it worse and we can come together to help each other through things like small business'. That is one thing I will always cherish is the connections you gain once you create and put yourself out there.
Keep fighting your fight because I am right here fighting with you.
Don't you ever give up even when you have your doubts, put them aside and be your true self no matter what.
-Lydia Ann
Lady Canna Life