Meet Kristin Heidbreder: Owner and Creator of “Crafty Chassis” a mobile arts and craft truck

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

Hi Kristin, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have always had a passion for making art, discovering art, and sharing artistic experiences with friends and family. I strongly believe that all human beings are creative and dynamic. This creativity and imagination is discovered, nurtured and encouraged at a very young age. However, as children grow up in the mainstream school systems and then move on to jobs in corporate settings, the artistic programs and original influences have the tendency to become obsolete. I decided to pursue a career based in the arts because I strongly believe that there is no wrong way to create art! I’m passionate about encouraging people of all ages to find their inner artist. “Crafty Chassis” delivers a fun and engaging DIY art experience to individuals and organizations that is interactive and allows participants to create an original piece of art in a non-intimidating environment. We give participants a creative platform to reignite their inner artistic spark, this will encourage growth in their personal and professional lives. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When the idea of building a mobile arts and crafts truck as a business popped into my head, I spent some time researching this concept. After doing a bit of research I realized that there weren’t many other businesses that were delivering DIY art projects to live events. Knowing that I had imagined a very unique business concept in my head, gave me motivation and drive to make it happen! I use my knowledge of artistic skills and techniques to transform the world and inspire individuals to find their inner artist. My goal is to create a thriving, sustainable business in the arts that will also support other local artists and non-profits in the artistic community both locally and globally. I’ve learned that when I became an entrepreneur that also meant that I a m the Director of Marketing , The Sales Rep, The CEO, The Accountant, and The Assistant. This has been very challenging, but Denver has amazing groups and organizations that help entrepreneurs learn how to navigate through some of these challenges, The Kite + Dart Group is one organization that I highly recommend for business support. The original concept of “Crafty Chassis” was based on bringing the arts and crafts fun to live events. When the pandemic became a reality and live, in-person events were canceled I was faced with my biggest challenge yet; How could I pivot my business to stay relevant during a pandemic? To stay in the game, I started an online store. I am now offering individually packed art kits for delivery and shipping. Each kit comes with a link to an online tutorial that is on my “Crafty Chassis” YouTube channel. I also started a a Facebook group called “Crafts with Kiki in the Chassis.” I give members of my group ideas of how to get creative and make art with recycled materials they tools they can find around their home. My niece and nephew gave me the nickname Kiki, and it really works well for my audience to remember and relate to me as their artistic guide.

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.
I would have to say that one of my favorite things about Denver is that it is a very easy to bike around the city. This is one of my favorite things to do with friends. First biking tour would be to check out some of the amazing art galleries we have. If it were a first Friday in the city that would be ideal, but most galleries are open during the week and on the weekends. The tour would start in the Santa Fe Arts District where we would check out CHAC Gallery, Space Gallery, Denver Art Society, Re-Creative, Museo De Las Americas, and D’Art to name a few. We would also make a pit stop at Black Sky Brewing for a beer, El Noa Noa patio for food, Renegade Brewing for a beer and then on over to Raices Brewing Company. You can also find great coffee at mmm…COFFEE! Paleo Bistro and The Molecule Effect. Second biking tour would be to grab a breakfast burrito at Santiago’s on Santa Fe and 6th, and then bike to shopping along Broadway. The Wizard’s Chest, Goldmine Vintage, Hope Tank, Fancy Tiger, Boss Vintage and Decade are awesome local shops. Then a quick pedal over to Clyfford Still museum, Denver Art Museum, and/or The Kirkland museum with a lunch stop at Leven Deli. Grab a drink at The Art Hotel rooftop bar. More amazing breweries along Broadway include Banded Oak, TRVE brewing company, Baere Brewing Company and Novel Strand is a quaint coffee shop by day and brewery by night. If you can catch a movie at the Mayan Theater do it! Third tour would be to bike to some of Denver’s amazing parks, Washington Park, to Cheesman Park, to City Park. Maybe check out the museum of Nature and Science and the Denver Zoo. If it’s a Sunday afternoon in the summer Jazz in the Park is a must do! Fourth biking tour would be to ride the Cherry Creek path to confluence park to hang out by the river. Grab lunch at My Brother’s Bar and then ride bikes up to LoHi/ Sunnyside Neighborhood. Other great local venues in this area include Root Down, Linger, Factotum Brewhouse, and Waldschänke Ciders + Coffee. Fifth biking tour would be to RiNo neighborhood, where you can do an art tour through the alley ways to see the CRUSH walls that feature amazing street art. Other fun venues for beverages in the RiNo area include Stem Ciders, Finn’s Manner, and Death and Co. bar. Go to Work and Class for an amazing dinner! Last but not least check out the Denver Center of Performing Arts for amazing live theater options and concerts. Other must see live music venues include The Ogden, The Bluebird, Larimer Lounge, Levitt Pavilion, Red Rocks, The Mission Ballroom, The Gothic, The Meadowlark and the list goes on!!

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?
I’d like to give a shout out to Nate Ishe Lappegaard and Karen Bartlett of Kite + Dart Group www.kitedart.com They have been a tremendous support to a very diverse group of entrepreneurs who wish to learn more about how to be mindful leaders. They offer a variety of online courses to teach entrepreneurs different ways of doing marketing, sales and activism in the community that aligns with each individuals goals.

Website: https://craftychassis.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftychassis/?hl=en
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-heidbreder/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craftychassis
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/crafty-chassis-denver
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZgk5yCowT4uYplBkShLtHw
Other: Facebook group “Crafts with Kiki in the Chassis” https://www.facebook.com/groups/2529239497330875