Meet Christi Friesen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christi Friesen.

Christi, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m an artist and travel all over the world, teaching my art. I teach because so many people have asked me to show them how I make what I make, so teaching naturally became a large part of what I do. And then, of course, they wanted to know where to get the tools I use and the special little bits and pieces and materials! so I started developing a product line, and now that is an important part of my life.

Lisa Lambright is the other part of the story. We met at industry shows and special events where she handled some of the business side of other artists. We became friends and eventually, we partnered to manage my line of unique art supplies and products. Lisa lives in the Denver area and it immediately became a natural hub, not only for the business of getting my nifty products into the hands of eager crafters and artists but also as a gathering place for me to teach and interact with my fans. Denver is like a second home to me and I travel here often!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Making a career of your passion is always a strange thing. One the one hand, you get to do what you love. On the other hand… you HAVE to do it. But I’m lucky, I think. Being an artist can be something where you get constant validation since folks love what you do, so there are always the feelgoods!

Getting started was time-consuming and a lot of work. While I was getting my art career off the ground, I also worked a full-time job and I was a mom, so there were a lot of nights with little sleep! but folks have always responded to my artwork and they have enjoyed me as a teacher, so it was always moving forward!

Producing a product line has been a challenge – getting sources for materials has its ups and downs of course! And manufacturing is interesting. One of the items in my line is a set of special metal paints and patinas which comes in gallon containers and has to be re-poured into small containers so it can look like a mad-scientist laboratory in the warehouse sometimes!

But the biggest challenge is always time. The business is all about me (as many are in this age of internet!) so it takes a lot of personal time to interact online, to create tutorials, to create content for my subscription groups, to make artwork. Of course, I’ve learned how important it is to also take time for myself to refresh, but sometimes deadlines really push at me. It’s all good, though. I’m an optimist and always expect that I’ll not only survive, but also thrive. So far, so good.

We’d love to hear more about your art.
My biz is all about me! ;-D. I know that sounds a little arrogant, but I mean it in the most delightful way. People have always responded to me as an artist and a personality and everything I have done grows out of that. I teach because people like how I explain the process, and how I make them feel about their own creativity (you can do it!) So I’m proud of that. I help people feel good, and we all sure need as much of that as we can get these days. So the business is all about my creativity, your creativity and the things we all can use to create with!

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For me, success is about coming to a place of contentment with as little fear as possible. I want my business to allow me to live on into my old age without financial fear but not at the expense of enjoying myself right now. So a balance of working hard, but loving life. As a small business, that can be challenging. And in light of this unexpected world event of the coronavirus, all your good planning can be turned upside down! so that’s why it’s so important to me to live everyday with as much joy and contentment as possible. I want to be as happy as I possibly can, all the time. Is that too much to ask? ;-D

Contact Info:

• Address: The Great Create
  7700 E. ILIFF Ave. Unit H
  Denver, CO 80231
• Website: www.ChristiFriesen.com
• Phone: Product message phone: 303-246-0268
• Email: christi@christifriesen.com
• Instagram: @realChristiFriesen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CFOriginals
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/ChristiFriesenArt

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