Meet Jen Pastalo Dacpano: Creatrix

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jen Pastalo Dacpano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jen Pastalo, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
People who take risks tend to be happier. I read that in a Psychology Today article several years ago. I believe it too. Risk lies at the edge of you becoming something more, at the edge of your ideas manifesting, changing, growing, and shifting. When you take a risk, be it small or large, you feel your heart race a little faster, maybe you have a smile on your face, maybe you furrow your brows, but you’re definitely in for something new, a ride, a journey. Taking a risk means you’ve taken a step. And that’s brave.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I say “I live in creative bliss.” That’s my mantra. I also attest, “I don’t work, I only do what I love.” And that is true. If I could define success as happiness, then I am successful. I have the honor of spending my days teaching music, singing and songwriting, owning my own fabric store and makerspace, and working at my own school psychology practice. I have a creative, expressive life. More importantly, I am balanced. Happiness is also a result of the balance that I feel. I am still overcoming challenges. Especially with the past year and not being able to operate my businesses the way I was used to in the past. The challenges make you innovative and creative too. I didn’t get to teach classes at the makerspace, but I was in a good place, because I had fabric, and so I made and sold masks. That was pretty lucky. The schools closed and I didn’t get to teach music there, but somehow I had music in my life in many ways, through my band, teaching ukulele and songwriting at a park outside, in the sun, trying to get my students to laugh and play and have as much fun as we could. One huge success was after our first lesson, a mom came up to me and said, “That was the most magic I’ve experienced all year.” That is the best feedback I could receive. I want the world to know that devotion to your work and craft is everything. Devotion means intense focus. Devotion means you keep going even if you don’t know the way all the time. The steps are tiny. Maybe the step is to stand still, be reflective, and be patient. Devotion also means compassion, to yourself and those around you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my sister were coming for a week, we’d do these things: I love gardens. So we’d definitely visit the Botanic Gardens. It’s one of the most magical places in Denver. I also garden, so we would definitely be in my garden, visiting with the flowers, with my dearest friends singing, eating well, and soaking up nature and her cheery flower spirits until the stars come out. My husband’s restaurant is warm, inviting, and the food is amazing, so of course I’d take her to Satchel’s on 6th. So many of our regulars there are characters, and I’d love to introduce her to every one of them. And we’d craft somewhere, make something, so of course, we’d go to my maker space and sew or make jewelry. Oh and dim sum at Super Star. And finally to a place in Boulder, a walk along the creek path with a blanket and a picnic. Then to gelato and a coffee. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Andrew Casalini, my husband. My children, Sage, Siena, Satchel, and Luna. My parents, both immigrants, whose undying love and devotion to my happiness and health, I could never repay. I love listening to and reading the works of Sadhguru.

Website: www.artandcraftco.com
Instagram: increativebliss
Facebook: In Creative Bliss

Image Credits
Doug Gritmacher