Calling all color-loving queens! You’re going to love this week’s featured maker! Chala’s Creative makes pins, stickers, notepads, wrapping paper, and more. The items Michala creates are fun, whimsical, and colorful, and we can’t wait to share her story with you today!
Hi Michala! Thanks for chatting with us today. Can you please tell everyone a little about yourself?
I grew up in Denton, TX, and recently moved back with my goldendoodle, Oakley. As you can see, she is often my inspiration for my work. And Chala’s Creative is actually my hobby. I’m really a designer and freelancer at a few corporations and businesses, but my passion goes into the items I make for my own business.
We love your Oakley-inspired products! What are you most excited about for the future?
One of the things I look forward to is not only seeing my business grow, but being able to hear and see more people respond to my products. I love hearing funny or cherished stories about their pets, their tragic stories of the Blue Bell famine and so many others. I think it’s funny how one small thing can connect us all.
We’re excited to see your business grow, too! It’s always great watching customers connect with artists’ work. Tell us about Chala’s Creative! What do you make, and how long have you been doing it?
I started my business back in 2019 as my senior college project. Although we had free reign on what we could do, I decided to push myself and look into how to design and manufacture enamel pins. With only a 14-week timeline to begin with, it was cutting it pretty close when I decided to start the project a few weeks in. Basically, all my pin work is self-taught and trial and error.
Once COVID hit a year after I launched my business, I decided to really focus on growing it. Since 2020 I have launched over 40 new products and 8 new collections. Now I make everything from pins to wrapping paper from sweatshirts to bathmats, all based off things I care about or want to see more of.
We hope you got an A+ on that senior project! What a cool origin story! What is your favorite part of your job?
Like I mentioned earlier, my favorite part of my job is seeing everyone’s reactions in person or online. I can’t tell you how many stories I have heard about the Blue Bell ice cream famine to touching stories about people and their pets. It’s the thing I look most forward to at every event. I just love getting to know every individual and how a single small product can bring such joy.
Your products bring so much happiness to people! What are three words that best describe your work?
Youthful. Relatable. And often Comical.
That’s a perfect description! If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?
This one is easy. My superpower would be that I can teleport anywhere in the world. I love to travel, but I am also a HUGE homebody. When I was 5, my parents took us to Disney World, and after the 3rd day, I turned to my parents and said: “This has been fun, but when are we going home?” My parents asked why and I explained: “Because I want to go home to my own bed, my own TV, and my own refrigerator.” My family still quotes that to this day. But seriously, how much would traveling be better if you could go home at night, sleep well and start your adventure again. I personally would sleep so much better.
Five-year-old Michala had it all figured out! What a great way to maximize fun and rest! Thank you for sharing your story with us today. We’re so glad to have you as a maker at Mosaic Makers Collective.
Want to learn more about our makers or shop Chala’s Creative? Check out these additional resources:
- Visit our shop in the Bishop Arts District
- Shop Chala’s Creative online
- Meet more of our Mosaic Makers on the Blog