Let me be honest with y'all for a second — because that's what we do here. These Juneteenth earrings almost broke me. I'm talking multiple rounds of "what in the entire hell is this" energy. Wrong colors. Cuts not coming out clean. Designs that looked cute in my head and tragic in real life. I threw away more materials than I care to admit. I questioned everything — my skills, my process, my whole little crafting journey. But you know what? I kept going. Because that's also w

Let’s keep it 100. Social media loves to show the cute, curated side of being a creative entrepreneur, a mom, and a maker. You see the clean aesthetic, the organized spaces, the completed projects, and the "rise and grind" captions. But behind the screen? Today, your girl is tired. Not just "I need a good night’s sleep" tired. I am *tired as fuck*. In so many ways. What I Don’t Mention: The Reality of Hurt There’s a major part of my reality that I don't usually put out there,

I'm not about to sugarcoat this. Y'all know I don't do that. We almost lost our home this week. Not because we ain't trying. Not because we don't care. Because life got HEAVY — the way it's been getting heavy for everybody right now — and $628 turned into something that almost took everything we built. We've been in this house almost 6 years come October. Six years. My kids grew up in these walls. We did holidays here, sick days here, late nights here. This ain't just a addre

Let me catch y'all up. Because life has been a LOT lately and I feel like I owe this space — and honestly myself — a real moment to just sit down and talk. No filter. No highlight reel. Just me, like we're catching up over brunch and the mimosas already hit. 🥂 I went on a girls trip. Galena, Illinois. And before you ask — no, I had never been. And yes, it was exactly what I needed. I went with my childhood friend who I recently reconnected with, her bestie, another friend, a

Hey yall! I know, I know — Ive been a little quiet. But trust me, Ive been BUSY. Let me catch you up on everything going on with Craftin Ass Blk Grl and honestly just life in general right now. The bow keychain kits are coming. I have been deep in the process of putting together DIY bow keychain kits and I am so excited about how they are turning out. Everything you need to make your own cute bow keychains, all in one kit. Whether you are a crafter yourself or just want somet

If you’ve been keeping up with Brenderella Designs lately, you know the vibe is high, the energy is upbeat, and the bows are big. But if you know me, you know it’s never just about the craft—it’s about the statement. ​ More Than Just Faux Leather ​When I sit down with my faux leather sheets, I’m not just folding fabric. I’m a blackity black black, woman’s woman who believes that everything we create should carry a message. Whether it’s a bold glitter keychain or a sleek matte

💛 I Love Buying Craft Supplies… and Sometimes That’s the Hard Part If you’re a crafter, you already know: buying supplies is its own hobby. I can walk into a craft store “just to look” and somehow leave with vinyl, blanks, paint, a new tool I swear I needed, and three ideas I’m convinced I’ll start tonight. My cart be looking like I’m opening a whole craft academy… meanwhile I still haven’t finished the project from last month. And honestly? I love that part. The possibiliti

If you’ve been here for a minute, you know the vibe. CraftinAssBlkGrl is where I share the realness—the failed engraves, the late-night Cricut marathons, the "I’d rather be left alone with a Symphony bar" moments, and the truth about being an empathetic human in a chaotic world. ​But as I’ve been growing this "hustle," I realized something: the personality and the product needed their own rooms in the house. ​Why the Split? ​I love being the "Crafting Ass Black Girl." It’s me

So… I made a sign. Well, tried to make a sign. It says "Mom's Sh*t List." You know, the house rules. The things every mom thinks but doesn't always say out loud. "Don't make me turn this car around." "I'm not a vending machine." "Ask your father." That energy. I was feeling inspired. On a whim, I sat down to design it — maybe an hour total to design, cut, and weed. Everything was flowing. I was in my zone. This was gonna be fire. Then… reality hit. The Scene: Oscar (our dog,

Hey family! It's been a minute since I sat down to just… talk. Like, really talk about where I'm at. If you've been around, you know Craftin Ass Blk Grl isn't just a shop — it's a declaration. A reminder that I'm more than a label. More than "mom," more than "wife," more than "employee." I'm all of those things, and I'm also this creative force that refuses to be dimmed. But let me keep it real with you: some days, the juggle feels impossible. The Current Season Right now, my

​What’s up, my creative tribe! Listen, I know the site has been looking a little like a ghost town lately. I’m not even going to hit you with the "I’ve been busy" cliché—even though, chile , your girl has been BUSY. ​If you know me, you know I don’t just "do" crafts; I live a lifestyle that’s 100% DIY and 100% heart. But lately, life decided to throw a few extra projects on my plate that didn't involve a silhouette or a weeding tool. ​The Ultimate Tag-Team: The Sublimation Hu

​If I told you this week was a "vibe," I’d be lying. To be real with y’all, this week was a complete clusterfuck. ​It started with a sick toddler and a Monday that was a certified dumpster fire before 9:05 AM. You know those mornings where you’re moving so fast you’re actually standing still? Yeah. I forgot an IEP meeting (we made it, but the "fashionably late" card was played hard), and by Thursday, I was clocking into work 30 minutes late. By Friday? The oldest boy caught w

​Hey family! I’m going to be honest—I’ve been away from the blog for a minute. I’d love to say I was just "busy," but the truth is a bit more layered than that. ​The Heavy Stuff: Grief Isn't a Straight Line ​This year marks 10 years since my mom passed away. You’d think a decade would make it "easier," but grief isn't linear. It’s a messy, looping circle. Lately, I’ve been caught in that weird tug-of-war: trying my hardest to stay present for my family while simultaneously wa

​Today is MLK Day, and honestly, the weight of it hits differently this year. ​As a Black woman, today is always a mix of deep pride and an even deeper exhaustion. We celebrate the dream, but we also feel the sharp edges of the reality that hasn't quite caught up yet. It feels like we are constantly navigating a world-changing event, a new headline, or another mountain to climb. ​At every turn, there is something trying to steal our peace. And as a mom, I’m doing the ultimate

If you see me on social media looking like I’ve got it all together, just know there is a 99% chance there’s a pile of laundry and a stray nugget just out of frame. ​I love the "Soft Life" aesthetic—the silk robes, the slow mornings, the peace. But I’m a Craftin’ Ass Blk Grl with a business to run and a household that is anything but quiet. My life isn't "soft"; it’s high-energy, high-functioning, and high-key loud. ​The "Peace" is a Group Effort ​Trying to find "ease" as a B

Hey y’all! If you’ve been hanging around here for a while, you know my golden rule: Stop saving your "good" materials for a special occasion. Use the pretty leather. Cut into the glitter sheets. Life is the special occasion! ​Well, I took my own advice this week while working with some gorgeous faux leather on my Cricut. And while things didn’t go exactly according to plan, the results were even better than a "perfect" project. ​The Perfect Date: Crafting with my Daughter ​I

Happy New Year, Fam! 🥂 ​Listen, we made it to 2026. Take a real second to just... breathe. Whether 2025 was a year of "final boss" energy or a year where you felt like you were just trying to keep your head above water, you’re here. The mats are sticky, the blades are sharp, and the vibes? F*cking immaculate! ​Being an '89 baby, I’ve realized that I’m officially in my "protecting my peace and my blade depth" era. We’re 36 now, y'all—we’re too old to be stressed out by buggy

✨ The Wait is Over: Pre-Order the 2026 "OurStory" Tiny Desk Calendar! ✨ I am thrilled to finally share my latest creation with you all. The 2026 OurStory Desk Calendar: Her Edition is now officially available for Pre-Order at craftinassblkgrl.com ! This calendar is more than just a way to track the days—it’s a celebration of us. I created the "OurStory" edition to ensure that every time you glance at your desk, you see a reflection of Black joy, history, and community. Why Th

We’ve all seen the memes, right? The ones about hiding the Michael's bags in the trunk of the car or whispering to the delivery driver to "leave the vinyl behind the bushes" so our partners don't see the hobby spending. ​For a long time, I felt like I had to justify my crafting. As a full-time employee, a wife, and a mom, I felt like every minute (and every dollar) spent on my Cricut Maker 4 was "taking away" from my responsibilities. ​But lately, my journey of finding me aga

Let’s be for real : December usually feels like one long sprint toward a finish line that keeps moving. Between the deadlines, the shopping, and the "holiday cheer" (which usually just feels like a lot of traffic), by the time the 25th rolls around, I’m usually spent. ​But this year? The vibe is officially Protected Energy. I’m staying home. I’m ignoring the clock. And the only thing on my "to-do" list is existing. There is a specific kind of soul-relief that comes with know