We were lucky to catch up with Krisanne Barnett recently and have shared our conversation below.
Krisanne, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Keeping the Creative Spark Alive: A Journey of Innovation and Resilience
As a creative, the pursuit of originality is both a passion and a discipline. For me, keeping creativity alive is an ever-evolving process rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and the courage to embrace failure as a stepping stone to innovation. In a world that thrives on fresh ideas, my approach to staying inspired is a blend of exploration, connection, and learning from the unexpected.
One of the cornerstones of my creative practice is an insatiable drive to seek out the new. Whether it’s experimenting with unconventional materials, exploring novel techniques, or designing patterns that push boundaries, I’m constantly on the hunt for the next spark. Research plays a pivotal role here—diving into books, online resources, or even niche communities to uncover fresh perspectives. This process isn’t just about finding answers; it’s about asking better questions. What can this material do that hasn’t been tried before? How can I combine techniques to create something entirely unique? By approaching each project as an opportunity to innovate, I ensure that my creative well never runs dry.
Collaboration is another vital ingredient in keeping my creativity vibrant. I regularly bounce ideas off my customers, husband, and friends, each of whom brings a unique lens to the table. Customers offer practical insights—what they love, what they need, what excites them. My husband provides a grounding perspective, often challenging me to refine my vision. Friends, with their diverse backgrounds and ideas, inspire me to think outside my usual framework. These conversations are like a creative crucible, forging raw concepts into something tangible and exciting. They remind me that creativity doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it thrives in the exchange of ideas.
Of course, the creative process isn’t always smooth. There are moments when designs don’t come together as envisioned, when techniques fail, or when a promising idea falls flat. But I’ve learned to see these “failures” not as dead ends, but as detours to unexpected destinations. Each misstep teaches me something new—a quirk of a material, a limitation of a technique, or even a happy accident that leads to a breakthrough. Some of my best work has emerged from these moments of serendipity, where an initial disappointment paved the way for something better than I could have planned.
This mindset—embracing failure as a teacher—has been transformative. It’s a reminder that creativity isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence and adaptability. When a project doesn’t go as expected, I step back, analyze what went wrong, and use that knowledge to fuel the next iteration. This cycle of trial, error, and discovery keeps my work fresh and my passion alive.
Ultimately, keeping creativity alive is about staying open—to new ideas, new perspectives, and even new definitions of success. By seeking out novel approaches, engaging in meaningful collaboration, and learning from every outcome, I ensure that my creative fire continues to burn brightly. For anyone looking to sustain their own creativity, my advice is simple: stay curious, stay connected, and don’t be afraid to fail. The next great idea is often just one experiment away.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Crafting a Creative Legacy: The Story of WOOD.PAPER.GLASS
Growing up, I was surrounded by the hum of creativity, raised by two incredibly talented parents who taught me the art of working with wood and designing jewelry. From a young age, their passion for crafting became mine, embedding in me a deep need to create that I’ve never outgrown. It’s no exaggeration to say that making things—whether it’s beautiful wood pieces or a piece of jewelry—is as essential to me as breathing. My husband, my biggest cheerleader, always encouraged me to share this passion with others, nudging me to step out and teach. That spark of encouragement led to the birth of my art studio, WOOD.PAPER.GLASS, a space where creativity thrives and community comes alive. At WOOD.PAPER.GLASS, I teach classes on creating and painting wood decor, guiding students of all ages to discover the joy of crafting something with their own hands. What makes this work so special is the moment when someone’s eyes light up as they transform raw materials into something beautiful—it’s pure magic. Beyond the studio, I take my passion on the road, bringing workshops to schools, camps, events, and businesses. These outreach programs are a cornerstone of my mission, spreading creativity and empowering others to tap into their artistic potential. There’s something profoundly rewarding about watching a child or an adult uncover a talent they didn’t know they had, and I feel privileged to facilitate those moments.The most exciting chapter of my journey came when my husband surprised me with a laser machine. This game-changing tool catapulted my creativity to new heights, allowing me to expand my offerings in ways I hadn’t imagined. With it, we’ve developed a line of DIY kits that have become a hit, especially with kids. These kits, meticulously designed and cut, make crafting accessible and fun, whether at a summer camp, a school fundraiser, or a community event. They’re not just products—they’re invitations to create, to imagine, and to connect. The joy I see in kids as they assemble their own projects is unmatched, and it’s a testament to how creativity can inspire and unite.
What’s New and What’s Next
I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my new website, which showcases my finished wood decor and jewelry alongside a fresh line of DIY kits. These kits are designed to bring the joy of creating into homes, schools, and communities, complete with materials and step-by-step guides to make art accessible to all. My goal is to see these kits in schools, camps, churches, and community centers across the country, sparking creativity and promoting sustainability. I’m also working to get my products into stores nationwide, sharing my vision of art with a wider audience. Stay tuned for upcoming workshops and community events where we’ll explore new techniques together!
What I Want Readers to Know
My art is about more than objects—it’s about connection, creativity, and expanding our imaginations. Whether you’re commissioning a piece, joining a workshop, or trying one of my DIY kits, you’re part of a movement to celebrate imagination. I invite you to visit my studio, explore the website, or join me at a community event to discover the joy of making something new. Let’s create together
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Reflecting on my journey with WOOD.PAPER.GLASS, three qualities have been pivotal in shaping my path: creativity, resilience, and community engagement. Each has played a unique role in turning my passion for crafting into a thriving art studio, and I’m excited to share how these qualities have fueled my success and offer advice for those just starting out.Creativity: Growing up with artistic parents who taught me to work with wood and design jewelry, I learned early on that creativity isn’t just about talent—it’s about seeing possibilities where others see limits. This mindset allowed me to transform wood into unique decor and, later, leverage a laser machine to create innovative DIY kits. Creativity is the heart of WOOD.PAPER.GLASS, driving every class, workshop, and product we offer. Advice: For those early in their journey, nurture your creativity by experimenting fearlessly. Try new materials, techniques, or ideas without worrying about perfection. Set aside time each week to play—whether it’s sketching, building, or brainstorming. Take inspiration from everyday life; even a walk in nature can spark your next big idea. Joining local art groups or online communities can also expose you to fresh perspectives and keep your creative spark alive.
Resilience: Building a business from scratch isn’t easy. There were moments of doubt, financial strain, and logistical hurdles, especially when I started teaching classes and expanding into community outreach. But resilience—pushing through setbacks and staying committed to my vision—kept me going. When my husband gifted me the laser machine, it was a game-changer, but learning to use it and integrating it into my workflow required patience and persistence. Advice: To develop resilience, embrace failure as a teacher. Start small—set achievable goals, like completing one project or hosting a single workshop, and learn from what doesn’t work. Surround yourself with a support system, whether it’s family, friends, or mentors, who can cheer you on during tough times. Practice self-care to maintain your energy; for me, a quiet evening of crafting resets my focus. Resilience grows when you keep showing up, even when the path feels uncertain.Community Engagement: A huge part of my success comes from connecting with schools, camps, businesses, and local events. Sharing my craft through workshops and DIY kits has not only grown my business but also built meaningful relationships. Engaging with the community has made WOOD.PAPER.GLASS a hub for creativity, where kids and adults alike discover their potential. Advice: For those starting out, prioritize building connections. Reach out to local organizations, offer a free demo, or volunteer at community events to showcase your work. Listen to feedback—it’s invaluable for refining your offerings. Social media is a great tool; share your process and story authentically to attract like-minded people. Most importantly, be generous with your knowledge. Teaching others, as I’ve done, not only amplifies your impact but also deepens your own understanding of your craft.To anyone early in their journey, my biggest advice is to lean into these qualities with intention. Creativity thrives when you give it space to grow, resilience builds through persistence and support, and community engagement flourishes with genuine connection. Start where you are, trust your unique voice, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Your journey, like mine, will be shaped by the moments you dare to create something new
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The number one challenge facing WOOD.PAPER.GLASS right now is space—or rather, the lack of it. Our studio is a vibrant hub where we not only create and teach but also uplift other local artists by renting space in our boutique for them to sell their handmade goods and offering our studio for them to teach classes in their own mediums. For many artists, owning a studio is financially out of reach, so we’re proud to provide a platform to help them shine. However, our current space limits us to showcasing only a handful of artists’ work in the boutique and restricts us to one artist teaching at a time, with just 16 seats available per class. This bottleneck holds back our ability to support more creators and expand our community impact.To overcome this, we’re taking a multi-pronged approach. First, we’re focusing on growing our customer base by getting our finished products and popular DIY kits into stores nationwide, leveraging our new website to reach a broader audience. This expansion aims to boost revenue, which we can reinvest into the studio. Second, we’re actively exploring grants and seeking private investors to fund a larger space that could accommodate more artists, more classes, and a bigger boutique. My vision for WOOD.PAPER.GLASS is expansive—a creative haven where countless artists can collaborate, teach, and sell, and where our community can gather to learn and create without limitation. While we’re starting small, every step toward building our brand and securing resources brings us closer to that dream. By staying focused on growth and community, we’re laying the foundation for a space where creativity knows no bounds.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.woodpaperglass.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wood.paper.glass?igsh=OXZucDdmd2prMXF3
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CJc3NkyWH/
Image Credits
Mel Thomasson
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