Hidden Gems: Meet Kaity Schauer of Mania Martz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaity Schauer.

Hi Kaity, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Although I’ve always been interested in keeping my own journals with my thoughts, art, sentimental scraps, and various forms of expression, I never could have imagined that it would lead me to where I am today: building community and friendly social opportunities with journaling at the center.

My journey really began around 2020, when my creative spurts showed themselves as potential side hustles. It started with buying my first power tools and drilling holes in crystals to make jewelry, which turned into borrowing my roommate’s Cricut to make gift boxes, and eventually evolved into buying my own Silhouette machine to make stickers.

I re-engaged with journaling as a hobby at the end of 2024, finding inspiration to document my vision board within my diary. Just before this, the concept of the “junk journal” had caught my attention on TikTok, which eventually led me to find in-person connections through a remote-work lifestyle. With junk journaling opening the conversation, I was invited to Who Gives A Scrap in Colorado Springs to learn how to make our own journals. My first handmade journal actually hides in my closet because I find it pretty ugly and badly disproportioned! However, it was the exact class that taught me the basics I needed to make the book of my dreams.

Shortly after I started using the journal that felt completely me, a friend and I spent an afternoon collaging in our books at a local cafe. That’s where we witnessed the curiosity and excitement this hobby invoked in others who were there to create. It opened the door to conversations about our own stories and about where our humanity overlapped. Since then, with that same amazing friend by my side (Christie Los at It’s Electra Digital), we have hosted over 10 junk journaling events where we gather to share our passions, journeys, and dreams within our pages. We aim to host at least one event a month, but are constantly expanding.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For a long time, my approach was super zoomed in on what my next possible product could be rather than considering a holistic business model, and honestly, I faced a lot of failures launching single products, too. Many projects that I consider beloved were truly flops, but regardless, each project became a stepping stone of skills I was gathering.

On a personal level, the name of my business, Mania Martz, was actually chosen during a time when I was genuinely struggling with mania to a new degree for the first time. While I do not aim to romanticize symptoms in any way through our name, I do see Mania Martz as a metaphorical space to hold all the possibility of my rabbit holes, whether they are short lived or more sustainable.

Because of my own experience in learning to regulate my mental health, I also am seeking to engage in more conversations within community for what has worked in lifting ourselves and others up. A “Mental Maintenance” series is a project that I’ve kept pretty well a secret….well, until now. 🙂

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Lately, Mania Martz’ products vary from handcrafted journals to monthly scrap packs filled with themed ephemera (almost all contents made within my home), to Scrap Session tickets to enjoy unlimited access to our large collection of supplies for the duration of our time together. I aim to provide themed worksheets for all attendees, and offer a VIP gift option for those who want the specially curated package for their journaling.

We truly believe that everyone is welcome, and strive to be a welcoming and safe environment for people to explore, express themselves, and document and share their stories.

In addition, our brand is represented by Scrappy, our raccoon mascot, who represents well what we stand for: authenticity even if it presents as “feral”. Oh, and a lot of people in this hobby quite literally collect trash and scraps….so it just makes sense.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Truly nothing has been more rewarding than connecting with those who have joined us over the last year. From getting to share our love for finding the perfect sticker or quote to being able to learn other’s stories and cheer them on as they progress, the friends I have made along the way have touched my heart in a way that I will forever cherish.

Also, through hosting our events, I’ve learned to prioritize and encourage kindness and compassion over perfection, for myself and others. The main goal of junk journaling represents this well, as the goal is often to create “something” to get past the paralysis of perfect planning. Despite the early struggles, I found a deep sense of pride in having learned that I can turn ideas into reality and start over again and again. The secret is often in the momentum.

Pricing:

• Basic Entry: $15
• VIP w/ Basic Entry: $25
• Journals: $20-40
• Custom sticker orders starting at $35 for 50 stickers
• We are dedicated to expanding our library of free printables as well, so stay tuned!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maniamartz.com
• Instagram: @mania.martz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mania.martz

Image Credits
In one image, I have a sticker featured from Pink Sheep Co. who is also a Colorado business that would love to be highlighted.