Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Parrott
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Creations By The Sea was created by my love of blue and white decor. My niece gave me a beautiful blue and white Christmas ornament for my Christmas Tree one year. I loved the ornament and asked her if she would buy me several more for my Christmas Tree that year. Unfortunately, they had sold out and were not getting any more. I remembered my husband had a oyster roast several months prior and we had the shells in our back yard. I am a creative soul so I said to myself I will make me some. I started looking everywhere for a blue/white print that I loved. I found several and started cleaning the oyster shells next. After scrubbing and disinfected the shells i had I started the Decoupage and painting process. It was a lot of trial and error but finally finished one to my liking and added a gold trim along with several beads to dress them up.
I fell in love with them but wanted everyone else to give me their opinion. I posted several pictures on Facebook and everyone started wanting to buy several. I started selling to my Facebook Friends and decided that I love making them so much I would start a small business. This was almost 3 years ago and I haven’t slowed down for one minute. I love being creative and enjoying trying new projects.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been a very busy ride. After finishing up my first Christmas season, I decided I wanted to try the craft festivals and started looking for craft shows in my area. It took a while to find the right shows but with the help of my wonderful crafter friends they have put me in the right direction. My next challenge was finding the right product for the shows I had chosen to participate in. It has been a lot of trial and error along the way but I wouldn’t want to trade this ride! I love trying new item with oyster shells. Some have been a big hit and some have not. My greatest joy has been when a customer comes back to me after purchasing and tell me how much their mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter loved the shell and how much it meant to them to receive such a thoughtful gift.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Creations By The Sea is known for its oyster shell art. I make pineapples, magnolias, Ornaments, magnets
and much more. There are 15 steps to making each oyster shell ornament from start to finish. I think what sets us apart from other shell artist is we have over 70 breeds of fur babies (dogs and cats) that we have on the shell. We can also take a picture of your fur baby, daughter, mother, father etc and personalize the shell based on each customers request. One of my poplar shells are the red birds. I have people stop at my booth and see them and tear up thinking of their love one that has passed away. They will purchase the single or double redbird ornament to hang on their Christmas Tree, lamps, vases or anywhere they can be reminded how special their love one was.
I am constantly trying new items….my latest is my oyster shell clutch. So far it has been a big hit and it too can be personalized per the customer request.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I did not have my business during Covid but know there are up and downs in any business and we will have to be prepared to overcome any adversity that comes our way. Always have a back up plan. If this something like Covid were to take place again I would take to all Social Media outlets to sell or even teach classes to help people with the stress.
Pricing:
- Prices starting at $15.00/ornaments
Contact Info:
- Instagram: creationsbythesea04
- Facebook: Creations By The Sea
