Gracefully Inspired

 Born and raised in Ohio, Annie says that being an only child and having a very crafty and talented mother fostered her imagination and creativity, “...or maybe I just like making stuff!” One of the reasons she got involved with the other two designers was “...to experience the fun in group creativity,” as well the friendship. “It is soooo much fun to create and sell as a group…encouraging, too.” She points out that some of the reasons for starting to sell things they made, was to fund their writing endeavors. It grew into something bigger and now they’re on the road to a new career. Annie’s other creative outlets include singing and acting, but “mostly at home when no one else is around.”

Her inspiration depends on what she’s creating. “For my jewelry, it is mostly variations I come up with from other things I have seen. For my photography, I want pictures that will mean something and that will inspire, so I hear a bible verse or a quote that strikes me and create a mental picture that would communicate it clearly then, voila! I also love nature. Anything scenic that is striking, I just snap, shoot and pray it turns out!"

Ultimately, she wants her work and her life to express that there is a God. “He is the creator who made us all in His image and we therefore have the ability to create beautiful and wonderful things.” Right now, she’s enjoying this chapter in her life and sharing it with two "...wonderful and awesome women!". She hopes to spread a little grace and truth on their travels. “God is giving us a great opportunity and I do not want to waste it.”

Visit her personal website at http://randomtruth.webs.com/   

Angie was born and raised in Ohio. Having a creative and artistic family has helped her to get to this point. She also developed a wild imagination in childhood that she still uses. Often, along with her sisters and cousins, she viewed the woods, creeks, corn fields, farms and abandoned houses as their own “little kingdoms.” They were encouraged to be creative and to use their imaginations; “...now it seems natural to me, like something I need.”

“People with creative drives are bound to come together eventually. It is just an attraction that can’t be helped.” She initially joined with Annie and Monica in an effort to improve her creative writing. She knew that she would be stretching her boundaries further than they had previously imagined, and she was up for the challenge.

Her other creative outlets are music and drawing, which is where she gets her inspiration. Music is what sets the mood for her artwork and her jewelry pieces. “It connects me with my own emotions and is normally where my creative process and expression begin.” God, nature, family, friends, movies, games, books, and interaction with other artists are also big inspirations. Her goal is to “...create artwork that touches emotions and tickles the brain in ways where words sometimes fail.” As long as it connects with someone and encourages thought and more expression, she feels she’s done her job.

Visit her personal website at http://themeds.tumblr.com/

Monica Whaley

Monica contributes jewelry and photography, and often goes on photography and business trips with Gracefully Inspired.

Visit her personal website at http://monicawhaley.webs.com/

Rachel Walters

Rachel is Gracefully Inspired's Intern, and contributes photography and works at parties and craft shows.