Meet Amy Brewer of Creative Release in Wheat Ridge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Brewer.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Amy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always been interested in crafting and making things. When I was little my mom and dad would put together little Christmas themed crafts for all of my birthday parties. I remember making ornaments out of pipe cleaners and beads and candles out of cups of ice. My parents are very hard-working people, and they instilled that in me and my siblings. I’ve always felt a sense of guilt or shame when I haven’t put enough effort into something, whether it be a book report or a baby blanket.

When I got into my teens and twenties, I learned the basics of macrame, crochet and jewelry making. I always crafted to fill the time or to distract myself from doing other, less exciting tasks. When I was in my early twenties, I learned to sew in my aunt’s upholstery shop. The industrial machines were so intimidating and so fast. My aunt would say things like: “Careful! That thing will run right over your finger in a second!” It was terrifying, but also really exciting. It was amazing watching pieces of fabric turn into couches and cushions and chairs.

A few years later, I was gifted a tabletop sewing machine from my friend Tena’s mother in law, Jackie, after she passed away. Jackie always believed in me and pushed me to do things outside my comfort zone. Every time I saw her, she gave me a new list of craft shows and places for vendors to sell their handmade wares. I never took it very seriously. I never thought I was talented enough, or unique enough to sell items in boutiques and craft shows. I took Jackie’s machine and immediately started messing around with scraps of fabric. Sewing on a tabletop machine is very different from an industrial machine. It didn’t come as quickly to me, but I also didn’t have a mentor. I figured it out mostly by trying and failing, and also from random YouTube tutorials. Sewing has been a love of mine, but it never became a passion until my sister got pregnant with her first baby. I wanted to make him a baby blanket and whatever other fun gifts that I could find on Pinterest. I loved my little tabletop machine then, and I still do today. However, I have since upgraded to an industrial machine for most of my projects.

I’ve had a lot of strong female role models and influences in my life. My mom, our neighbor Peggy, and so many more. Tena and Jackie were the most influential when it came to my creations. They always raved about how talented I was and how impressive my pieces were. I never appreciated their support as much as I should have. Now that they’ve both passed away, I can’t help but think of them every time I am preparing for a show.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a very smooth road for me. After I graduated high school, I went to college and set off to do whatever you do in college. I had no idea what I wanted to be “when I grew up,” and here I was, somewhat, “grown up.” After a few years of indecisiveness, I decided that I wanted to be an elementary school teacher. I took all the classes and was really excited for what may lie ahead. When I went on to student teach, the amount of ups and downs that were involved in the one-semester I completed was too much to bear. I couldn’t handle the heartache of losing another student or hearing about their broken and troubled home lives. I dropped out of the program and, again, found myself all grown up with no real idea of where I was going. This was around the time that I started making jewelry. I wasn’t sure if jewelry making was really easy, or if I was just somewhat of a natural. I never did many shows selling jewelry. Mostly I sold in the lot at Red Rocks, or to friends and family.

After I started sewing, I had a few more items to add to my inventory, and I wasn’t as intimidated by craft shows. Sometimes, I experiment in woodworking, which is where my dad and husband come in to teach me all the ins and outs of the different tools. I still haven’t gotten to a place where I am comfortable saying that I have successfully turned my crafting into a career. I recently decided to go back to school and finish my degree. I am a few classes away from getting my Bachelor’s Degree in English. From there I would really like to write a children’s book.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Creative Release story. Tell us more about the business.
I started my company with the intent to teach people how to make the things that I make. I taught a few classes on reverse canvases, jewelry making and different home decor projects. I still offer in-home craft parties, but I am more interested in building my brand. I learned from craft parties that people do want to have the finished product, but they’re really more interested in the partying part.

I am proud to say that I am somewhat of a one-man band. I create every product that I sell. I mostly make items for babies, like blankets and hats, but I also make accessories for women, like jewelry, headbands and gloves. I am always up for a challenge. I offer custom orders and try my best to create what my customers envision. I do as much as I can to give back to the community. Currently, I have stopped all production and started donating sewn masks for our front line workers. I offer masks for sale as well, but my first priority is our front line members. Thanks to some volunteers that have helped with supplies and cutting, I have donated about 300 masks so far. I am going to continue donating until the world gets back to something closer to normal.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I think that luck has played a small role in my business. As a younger adult, I felt like bad luck followed me wherever I went. I have since learned that I was sabotaging myself with the poor decisions I was making. When I started dating my husband, Andrew, it seemed like everything started turning around. The skies turned blue, and I was on a more positive path. My husband has been extremely supportive of me throughout my journey. I probably would have given up on my business goals, and pursuing my degree, if it weren’t for him.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 3033561056
• Email: creativereleasellc@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creative_release_llc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativeReleaseLLC

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