Meet Caitlin And Kathleen Curtis

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Caitlin And Kathleen Curtis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Caitlin and Kathleen, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

We’re both naturally playful, so creativity is something we tap into almost every day—whether through work or just for fun. We love bringing whimsy and lightheartedness into our spaces, which often sparks little creative projects. It might be adding scalloped molding in the laundry room or painting a bedroom in an unexpected color—we both enjoy experimenting and seeing where it takes us. Inspiration also comes from the world around us. A shop display, for example, might spark the idea for a new greeting card or even a stuffed animal design. We try to stay open to whatever the world presents, using those moments as fuel for our next creative endeavor.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

We’re a mother–daughter duo, which feels really special in itself. It’s not often that family members not only work together but also run a business side by side. We feel so fortunate to have the relationship we do, and we believe that love comes through in everything we create.

Our business is truly a blend of both of our creative passions. We have our paper goods collection and our quilt collection—each piece either handmade or hand-designed by us. The quilt collection, in particular, holds a special place in our hearts. We work with antique and vintage quilts that might otherwise be discarded. Each of these quilts was crafted with incredible care and love, and by reimagining them into new pieces, we get to preserve their history and extend their story. You can really feel the time, effort, and devotion stitched into every quilt we use.

Sustainability is also at the core of what we do. We want our products to bring joy while treading as lightly as possible on the planet. That means printing our cards on 100% recycled paper, reducing plastic in our packaging, and upcycling materials whenever we can. We know we’re not perfect, but we’re always striving to do better and create in a way that feels thoughtful and responsible.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Flexibility, resilience, and inquisitiveness have been three of the most impactful qualities in our journey. In any business—especially a creative one—things don’t always go as planned. Flexibility allows you to pivot quickly, try new ideas, and find fresh solutions when challenges come up.

Resilience is just as essential. Not everyone will connect with your art, and some people may even question whether what you do is a “real career.” Learning to let those comments roll off your back is so important. You’re not going to be for everyone, and that’s okay. Instead of focusing on the handful of people who don’t get it, focus on the stadium full of people who love what you create.

And finally, inquisitiveness. If you’ve never run a business before, there’s a steep learning curve—and even once you’ve started, things like technology and trends are constantly changing. Being open to learning, asking questions, and staying curious helps you adapt and evolve as your business grows.

The good news is that none of these qualities are things you have to be born with—they can all be strengthened with practice. My advice to anyone starting out is to look for ways to apply these traits in everyday situations until they become second nature. And most importantly, don’t take yourself too seriously. Creative work should be fun. Remember to breathe, enjoy the process, and keep a sense of playfulness along the way.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

We’ve experienced a lot of growth over the past 12 months, which has been exciting but also brought its fair share of challenges—especially when it comes to workload. As a very small business—just the two of us, with occasional help from a sister—we’ve had to learn how to prioritize and streamline our processes.

One of the biggest areas of improvement has been clearly defining our roles and setting expectations for each of us. Taking the time to clarify who is responsible for what has made a huge difference. It’s helped us prevent things from slipping through the cracks and allowed us to run much more smoothly and efficiently. That clarity has been a real game-changer for our growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dellwooddesigns.com
• Instagram: @dellwooddesignsofficial
• Facebook: @DellwoodDesigns