We had the good fortune of connecting with Casey Pyle and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Casey, why did you pursue a creative career?
Hello! Nice to e-meet y’all . I pursue a creative career because it is what I am most happy doing!! I’ve always found freedom and connection through creativity and I am fortunate to have been raised by an incredibly supportive and creative family. I have been drawing/painting/sewing for as long as I could hold them in my hand. My happy place is in the creative process. Art for me is about fun, interaction, and enjoyment. I didn’t pursue the artistic career direction at first, I thought I would be a professional roller skater, or a women’s soccer player, naturally, but more about that later.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started my own side project/brand called Caseymade, that was going to launch just days before the Pandemic. When we realized there weren’t enough masks to go around, my brother and I immediately pooled all our supplies and began producing “fun”ctional” facemasks for the people of Nederland, putting all other plans momentarily on hold. I’m happy to say that I can now begin sharing other unique and “fun”-ctional projects. Right now I’m working on sewing classes, custom coveralls, and a smoking accessory – available for sale very soon in stores and online at Caseymade.com. You can also come play BINGO with me every Thursday at Knotted Root Brewing and win liquid and non-liquid prizes!
How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way.
I’ve made many mistakes, as well as had amazing experiences. I’m a small town kid from New England, so there was much to learn after leaving New Hampshire. Life’s a journey, right? After floating around a few different colleges hating math, and realizing that professional women’s soccer was still at least 8 years out, and a career in roller skating was *gasp* unheard of, I dropped out, seeing I was wasting money that I wouldn’t be able to repay for “careers” I didn’t really even like. Fast forward two years later, and I was completing art projects at work instead of doing the job I was hired for. Those projects started to make me realize Art is what I’m meant to share. I went back to college at 25 years old, and graduated from The Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. My passion for sewing was combined with technical and business skills. I realized that I could apply what I learned for fashion, and take any idea from concept to reality, which was huge. In 2010, I built and launched a small shop with my brother Lindsey called Humorandgrace in Asbury Park, NJ. I repurposed vintage clothing, and we made every product by hand. We threw fashion shows, art parties, and any type of fun event possible, collaborating with many other incredibly talented and creative people. Our second location closed 1 week before Hurricane Sandy devastated the area in 2012. After losing the most inspirational personal in my life, I moved to Colorado looking for a fresh start. In 2019, I helped open the Knotted Root Brewery, and now I’m making beer label and sign magic with them, painting murals in the mountains, and sharing the spirit of creativity.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I was showing them around the Mountains?!… I am obsessed with paddle boarding, so I would definitely take them to enjoy the water when it’s warm enough. Paddleboarding with the mountain backdrop is so memorable. I would absolutely have to take them to try the IPA’s and goo’s at Knotted Root Brewing in Nederland. My favorite beer on tap right now is the Perpetually Unimpressed; I’m a sucker for Nelson hops and good laughs with friends. You also can’t miss visiting the Yak Pack on Magnolia Road, managed by Woody Woodward of Magnolia Grassfed, taking in the historic area, and getting some grassfed goodness to share for dinner. I would also take them on an Appreciation Tour of Rollinsville, a tiny town that is revitalizing just 10 minutes past Nederland, where I live. There are many hikes and campgrounds found up towards the Needle’s Eye in Rollinsville, and the view and the scenery are breathtaking. In the summer months you can forage the tiniest strawberries and other edible goodies. I also love the Gypsy Rose Mountain Boutique on the corner of 119 attached to Howlin’ Wind Brewery. The boutique is women-owned, and procures some of the most talented mountain artisans’ wares for their shop, as well as being very talented artists themselves. I would definitely also bring them for drinks and views at the Gold Dirt Distillery Taproom. A favorite must-have drink is the Pink Squirrel Jumping Over A Log (PSJOAL).
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to thank my studio mate Leah Haney for recommending me, her passion and support are contagious. I’d like to thank my family and friends for all their support. A special thank you to my brother Lindsey Pyle, from murals to sewing, he holds it down with the power tools and positivity. My Grandfather Bob Hodges always makes sure I have a working computer and a level head. And my energy healer Gina Fenske who helps me to lead with my heart.
Website: Caseymade.com
Instagram: @caseymade
Image Credits
Images Info and Credits: 1. Lambs and Wolves Art/Fashion Event, Red Bank NJ: Model: @mackenziesiobhan. Photographer: @jlstumpf/ www.jasonstumpf.com 2. Humorandgrace store 2010, Asbury Park, NJ: Photo credit me 3. HOWDY mural- faces the train tracks and greets AMTRAK passengers. Can be seen from 119 peak to peak highway heading northbound towards nederland- photo credit me 4. Pool party mural at the Stage Stop, Rollinsville. Can be seen from the 119 peak to peak highway heading north or southbound at Rollinsville.- photo credit- me 5. Facemasks in Production during the pandemic for the towns of Nederland and Boulder 2020 – photo credit- me 6. Mural at Knotted Root Brewing in Nederland Colorado. Can be enjoyed from the Patio at Knotted Root, or by drive by on 119 Peak to Peak Highway heading northbound after the circle in Nederland towards Estes Park, CO- photo credit- me 7. Rotating Chalk signs at Knotted Root Brewing in Nederland, CO- photo credit- me 8+9. Can label art For Knotted Root Brewing. Photo Credit- Christopher Klein @kleinforsherriff/ www.cbklein.com 10. Casey selfie: photo credit Sarah Pepper/ @pepinyourstep 11. Humorandgrace store image, 2012, Asbury Park NJ. -photo credit- me 12. Clothing image- Repurposed Sweatshirt Dress- Model Joie Perry @jojodancer, Photographer: Jason Stumpf / @jlstumpf/ www.jasonstumpf.com 13. Machine Knitted sweater that spells out V.O.T.E. 2010, knitted harem knickers. Model: Photographer: Jason Stumpf / @jlstumpf/ www.jasonstumpf.com