Conversations with Meme Grimes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Meme Grimes.

Hi Meme, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always been passionate about being creative. I remember growing up as a young child and redecorating my bedroom pretty frequently. We lived in a historic home in a small town in North Carolina and I always loved the unique character in that house.

After college, I moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, and started decorating client homes. I taught myself different skills like painting and repurposing furniture. When I relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina with my career, I entered a DIY Contest through Black & Decker and was chosen as a finalist to have my work featured on their Times Square Billboard. I think it was then that I realized that I needed to do more with my creativity.

I opened a booth at the Sleepy Poet in Charlotte, North Carolina, and started selling the furniture and other home decor items that I thrifted and made over from thrift stores. I also had some of my work featured on HGTV’s social media platform. I had some work featured on Apartment Therapy as well.

Eventually, I wanted to participate in vendor shows and started creating smaller pieces, like blinged-out sunglasses. I was also given an opportunity to participate in fashion shows, including New York Fashion Week. AND I started designing custom rhinestone sunglasses for celebrity clients.

Currently, I manage a DIY home decor Facebook Group with more than 15,000 followers and I am thrilled to teach others how to upholster furniture, in my spare time.

I have a booth space at the Painted Tree in Northglenn, CO where you can find some of my creations as well. I hope to open a facility where I can teach others how to be creative as well.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the most part, I can say that it has been a smooth road. I’ve had a few lessons to learn regarding the business side of things but being creative is just in my bones.

I used to keep a notebook on my nightstand because I would have vivid dreams about different projects and then I’d wake up and not remember them the following morning. So, I started jotting them down so that I wouldn’t forget them.

When I created and taught my diy chair upholstery classes, I had lots of technical issues when I first launched the classes but I was able to work out those kinks quickly as well.

Being creative is just something that I cannot escape. I love doing it. My husband and I just recently purchased a new house and I am beyond thrilled with making it feel like a home. I look forward to all the amazing projects to come with it, big and small.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been a Data/Business Analyst for the last 23 years of my life and I have loved every moment of doing that type of work. In February of this year, the company that I worked for had a big layoff and my job was cut. I’ve been focusing on being creative full-time ever since.

I’m most proud of having the courage to be able to step out on faith and pursue my passion for creativity full-time. I have a very supportive husband who stands by my side every day and encourages me to follow my dreams.

I think what sets me apart from others, according to everyone I’ve encountered, is that despite all of the attention, honor, awards, recognition, etc. that I’ve received for everything I’ve done, I’ve been able to continue to remain humble and I’ve continued to want to help others as well.

In regards to my DIY work, I think my most proud moment/project is the Rhinestone Bride Chair that I created for a bridal photo shoot (photo included). It took me quite a few weeks to hand-place each and every individual rhinestone on that chair, but it turned out so beautifully. The photo does no justice at all.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Wow…the DIY industry! It has been such an amazing thing to see the transition over the years. I imagine that there will be even more creativity over the next 5-10 years.

Technology has helped with thriving this industry as well and I don’t foresee it slowing down one bit. I’m currently teaching myself all about AI (Artificial Intelligence). There is just so much opportunity that I can’t imagine not being able to thrive.

Pricing:

• Custom Upholstered Chairs – Start at $499
• Custom Sunglasses – Start at $25.99
• Interior Design/Decorating Consultations – $75

Contact Info:

• Website: www.meyettastevaughn.com (launching soon)
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/sit_craft_sip
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/168015571189515/?ref=share_group_link
• Boulder Valley Health Center: https://bouldervalleyhealth.org/blog/condom-couture-is-back-in-2023/

Image Credits
Adam Cory Photography and Elizabeth Ashley & Co Eliot Xavier