We had the good fortune of connecting with Heather Hartmann and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heather, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
The idea for One Crafty Giraffe came from a social outing with family. We went to a class on acrylic paint pouring since none of us had ever done it before. It was a blast! As we went through the evening, I started looking around me and thought, “I could do this, and I could do it better.” Over the next few weeks, my husband and I talked through ideas, logistics, and feasibility of me taking on a new venture and we decided to go for it. The initial vision for the business was combining two of my strongest attributes – creativity/craftiness and my instructional ability. I picked up a lot of skills during my years working in a craft store and have taught and mentored both children and adults in teaching and management rolls. Even though the pandemic required a pivot in our initial business plan, a DIY craft studio, to sharing handcrafted arts and craft pieces at fairs and online, We still offer a creative, collaborative component to customers interested in learning how to do some of the things that we do so the business remains at least some version of our initial vision.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What I do is two fold. First, I offer DIY craft workshops where people can learn a new art skill, collaborate, and socialize. Crafting is such a welcoming and supportive community and I love sharing my skill with others while also being inspired myself. I am constantly blown away by the things people come up with after a little direction from me. Its inspiring to me as well and it just becomes this amazing positive feedback loop. Second, I create a variety of finished craft items that people can purchase online and at craft shows we attend around the state. When the pandemic made gathering impossible for a long period of time, we had to figure out how to keep from having our vision fail. We’d only been open for six months before the big shutdown so outside support wasn’t a possibility for us. We began doing some virtual classes that were semi-successful, but the collaborative component just wasn’t the same. Additionally, we began making things and sharing them online. People showed interest in what we were doing so we offered things for sale. Those initial items were themed around a certain down on their luck family that are forced out of their mansion to a town they bought before they lost all their money. The best descriptor of what we make now is pop culture and Colorado themed home goods and display items. It’s hard to keep myself from wanting to make EVERYTHING and, really, that’s something to hone in and work on. As a creative and as a leader in other facets of my life, it’s impossible not to continue to question my work and my approach in order to constantly improve. I think our business might always be a work in progress. We’ve only recently become successful enough that I can allow myself some down time. Sometimes its exhausting, but most of the time being creative and sharing it with others is a lot of fun.

In everything I do, I think about how I can offer something that is relevant, that people are interested in, and that they can’t find anywhere else. Whether that is artful presentation of shared pop culture references and experiences or one of a kind statement pieces people can decorate their spaces with is in constant flux. Right now, we’ve put a big focus these really great layered wooden designs. They’re generally outdoor themed – mountains, animals, nature in general. The layers each depict something different and when they’re all placed together they create this beautiful scene. People can’t get enough of them and I absolutely love coming up with new designs.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many great places in Denver and Colorado in general!

For eating, green chili and burritos are a must. My brother-in-law is part of a restaurant group in town and makes incredible food, so hitting up places he’s had a hand in would also makes the list – Bar Dough, Senor Bear, Mr. Oso. Other staples and places we can’t get enough of are Heaven Dragon, Jose O’Shea’s, and Luciles.

I’m not much of a drinker, but Colorado is so famous for the craft beer scene, that it has to make the list! My vote is a brewery tour. Coors is cool, but my favorite that I’ve ever done is in Fort Collins at New Belgium. I mean, you can’t beat being able to go down a twisty slide indoors!!

As for stuff to do, I love factory tours! Hammond’s Candy, Celestial Seasonings – sign me up! Checking out the local museums is also a lot of fun. The big ones are cool, but I like the smaller and more obscure ones best – Kirkland Museum and Wings Over the Rockies are top of list for that. The Denver Zoo is also always fun. I try to check out the zoo every place I visit so it would be on my list for anyone coming here. Since it’s not too far, I would do a day trip to Colorado Springs to do the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo there. It’s my favorite zoo ever! Union Station and Red Rocks are also iconic must visits.

Finally, it wouldn’t be a trip to Colorado without going to the mountains. Rocky Mountain National Park is a definite must for mountains. I much prefer the Grand Lake side for the less touristy experience and you can’t beat the huge bodies of water and the cute mountain town vibe. Estes Park has a lot of great attributes too, like the Stanley Hotel, but it’s just so busy all the time!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband, Shawn, has been my biggest cheerleader, partner in crime, assistant, and shoulder to cry on through the whole process of getting One Crafty Giraffe off the ground and maintaining continued success. He has so many skills and strengths that complement mine. He is relentless in his assistance. He takes direction without offense. He also give me all the credit when he deserves a large share himself. I couldn’t imagine doing this thing on my own. I’m grateful for him every day.

Website: https://www.1craftygiraffe.com/

Instagram: @1craftygiraffe – https://www.instagram.com/1craftygiraffe/?igshid=1usu496mqre4v

Facebook: @OneCraftyGiraffe – https://www.facebook.com/OneCraftyGiraffe/

Other: Etsy – https://www.etsy.com/shop/1CraftyGiraffe

Image Credits
Kristi Hill, Heather Hartmann

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