Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamika Jones.
Hi Tamika, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey as an artist and entrepreneur has been one of growth, creativity, perseverance, and discovering purpose along the way. Creativity has always been a part of who I am. From a young age, I was drawn to hairstyling and enjoyed finding ways to express myself artistically. I eventually built a career as a cosmetologist, where I was able to use my creativity to bring ideas to life. Over time, my creative interests expanded beyond hairstyling and led me to explore new artistic mediums.
In 2019, I began combining my love for creativity with canvas art, and what started as an opportunity to explore something new gradually grew into something much bigger. Art became a meaningful outlet for self-expression, personal growth, and relaxation, even as I continued working in another full-time position. As I experimented with different techniques and materials, I discovered a passion for creating unique, handmade pieces and sharing that experience with others.
That journey led to the creation of Craftee Studio LLC, my small art business, where I create handmade and customized products, host paint parties, and prepare take-home canvas kits that encourage families to spend time together through art. My work has expanded to include a variety of artistic mediums and personalized creations, each reflecting my belief that creativity is something everyone can explore and enjoy. The name Craftee Studio is also personal to me, as it was inspired by my grandmother Helen, who affectionately called me “Tee.”
As my relationship with art continued to grow, I began to recognize that creativity could serve a purpose beyond making beautiful things. Art can encourage confidence, inspire learning, bring people together, and create opportunities for meaningful connections. That realization inspired me to establish Craftee Art Outreach, a nonprofit dedicated to making art experiences more accessible to children, youth, adults, seniors, and underserved communities. Through creative workshops, community projects, and outreach initiatives, I strive to create welcoming opportunities for people to express themselves, develop new skills, and experience the joy of creating. Our outreach efforts also include distributing perishable and non-perishable food items to individuals and families through community fridges and other food distribution locations.
Today, I am grateful to serve as the owner of Craftee Studio LLC and the Founder and Executive Director of Craftee Art Outreach. Although the two organizations have different purposes, they are connected by one central belief: creativity can make a difference in people’s lives. One allows me to share my art and build a creative business, while the other allows me to use that passion to serve my community.
My journey has not been about having everything figured out from the beginning. It has been about learning, experimenting, making mistakes, starting over, and continuing to show up for myself and my purpose. My faith, along with the support of my family, friends, and church family, has encouraged me to keep moving forward. I have learned to trust the process, embrace unexpected opportunities, and understand that growth does not always happen according to our original plans.
I hope my story encourages others to pursue their creativity, believe in their ideas, and recognize that something meaningful can grow from simply taking the first step. For me, this journey is about more than art or business; it is about creating opportunities, building connections, serving others, and using the gifts I have been given to make a positive difference in the community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has not always been smooth. Like many entrepreneurs and nonprofit founders, I have faced challenges that have tested my patience, faith, and determination. Building Craftee Studio LLC while also establishing Craftee Art Outreach has required me to learn many things along the way, from managing the business side of my work to navigating nonprofit operations, seeking funding, building community partnerships, and finding ways to make my vision sustainable.
One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to turn my creative ideas into something that can grow and have a lasting impact. Having a passion and a vision is one thing, but finding the resources, time, financial support, and opportunities to bring that vision to life is another. As a small business owner and nonprofit founder, I have had to be resourceful, patient, and willing to learn through experience. There have been moments when progress felt slower than I hoped, but those moments have taught me the importance of consistency and not giving up simply because the journey looks different than I expected.
Another challenge has been balancing my responsibilities while continuing to develop as an artist and leader. I have learned that growth requires more than creativity; it also requires discipline, planning, adaptability, and the willingness to step outside my comfort zone. There is always something new to learn, and I have had to become comfortable with asking questions, accepting guidance, and understanding that I do not have to know everything to keep moving forward.
Through it all, my faith has helped me remain grounded. I remind myself that every challenge can teach me something, even when I cannot immediately see the purpose behind it. I have learned to trust God’s process, be patient with myself, and recognize that setbacks do not mean I am failing. Sometimes they are opportunities to reassess, grow, and approach things differently.
Looking back, I understand that the difficult moments have helped shape me into the person, artist, entrepreneur, and community advocate I am becoming. I am still learning and growing, but I no longer expect the journey to be perfect. My focus is on continuing to show up, making the most of the resources I have, and staying committed to the vision behind both Craftee Studio LLC and Craftee Art Outreach. I hope my journey reminds others that you can pursue your dreams without having every answer, and that perseverance, faith, and a willingness to learn can carry you further than you might imagine.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work centers on creativity, self-expression, and using art to bring people together. Through Craftee Studio LLC, I specialize in creating handmade and customized art pieces, hosting paint parties, and providing take-home canvas kits that allow families to enjoy creative experiences together. My artistic work spans several mediums, including acrylic painting and pouring, resin art, polymer clay, handmade domino sets, customized home décor, jewelry, earrings, and other personalized creations. I enjoy experimenting with different materials and techniques because art has no single definition, and there is always room to learn, explore, and create something new.
One thing I enjoy most is transforming everyday items into unique, meaningful pieces that reflect someone’s personality, interests, or style. Whether I am creating a customized product, developing a new design, making wearable items or preparing a paint party, I want people to see the possibilities in creativity and feel inspired to express themselves. I also enjoy creating experiences that bring people together, because sometimes the memories made while creating are just as meaningful as the finished piece.
Beyond my business, I am the Founder and Executive Director of Craftee Art Outreach, a nonprofit that focuses on making art more accessible to people throughout our community and surrounding areas. Through art workshops, community projects, and creative activities, I work to provide opportunities for people of different ages and backgrounds to explore their creativity, build confidence, learn new skills, and connect with others. Our outreach also extends beyond art through the distribution of perishable and non-perishable food items to individuals and families at community fridges and other food distribution locations. I believe serving a community means recognizing that people have different needs and finding meaningful ways to support them.
What I am most proud of is being able to use my creativity for more than personal expression or business growth. I am proud that my passion for art has developed into two organizations with distinct but complementary purposes: one that allows me to create and build a business, and another that allows me to give back and make a difference in people’s lives. Seeing people participate in creative activities, take pride in what they make, and experience the joy of creating reminds me why I started.
What sets me apart is my willingness to explore, adapt, and think beyond traditional artistic boundaries. I do not limit myself to one medium or one way of creating. I enjoy combining ideas, experimenting with materials, and developing products and experiences that are personal and meaningful. I also believe that creativity should be accessible, not exclusive. You do not have to be a professional artist to benefit from making art, and you do not have to create something perfect for it to be valuable.
Ultimately, I want my work to be known for its originality, heart, and purpose. Whether I am creating a handmade piece through Craftee Studio LLC or serving the community through Craftee Art Outreach, my goal is to inspire others to believe in their creativity, embrace new possibilities, and recognize that the gifts they have can make a difference. For me, art is not just about what we create with our hands; it is also about the connections we build, the confidence we encourage, and the positive impact we leave behind.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a creative person who enjoyed finding ways to express myself. I developed an interest in hairstyling at a very young age, around five years old, and I was always eager to learn and explore my creativity. Looking back, I can see that creativity has been a part of me for as long as I can remember, even before I fully understood how it would shape my future.
Personality-wise, I have always had a desire to learn, try new things, and discover what I am capable of. I enjoy experimenting, using my imagination, and finding different ways to bring ideas to life. I believe that curiosity and a willingness to learn have played a significant role in my journey, especially as I have expanded from hairstyling into various forms of art and entrepreneurship.
I have also learned a lot about myself through the different seasons of my life. My journey has helped me become more patient, resilient, and willing to step outside my comfort zone. I may not have known exactly where my interests would lead me growing up, but the creativity I carried then eventually became an important part of who I am today.
When I look at Craftee Studio LLC and Craftee Art Outreach, I see how those early interests have grown into something much bigger than I could have imagined. What began as a love for creating has developed into a business that allows me to share my artistic talents and a nonprofit that allows me to use those talents to serve others. I believe the creative spirit I had growing up is still very much alive in me today, and I am grateful that I continue to find new ways to learn, grow, and make a positive difference through my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://CrafteestudioLLC.netlify.app
- Instagram: Crafteestudio1
- LinkedIn: Tamika Jones
- Youtube: @TeeRVA
- Other: Crafteestudio1@gmail.com
