We recently connected with Brooke Kitzhaber and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brooke , thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I believe that imposter syndrome is something we all experience. The next time you’re at a family dinner, consider asking your software developer uncle or cousin who is a principal how they’ve tackled imposter syndrome. I also feel that this feeling doesn’t completely disappear, as life is constantly evolving and we are always growing.
However, today I want to discuss my personal journey with imposter syndrome as a full-time artist. I almost deleted the previous sentence because I struggle to embrace the title “full-time artist.” I often hesitate to say it when anyone inquires about what I’m currently doing. This is what I’m striving to be—a full-time artist—so why can’t I confidently say it out loud? I have every right to claim this title without needing to reach my version of “success.”
At the end of the last school year, I transitioned from being a middle school math teacher to a stay-at-home wife and full-time micro-macramé artist. We relocated to East Tennessee in June to support my husband’s career. During the move, we decided it would be best for our family for me to stay home initially to help us settle in. Moving is a massive undertaking, and having more time at home has been incredibly beneficial in getting us acclimated.
Prior to our move, I had been taking my small micro-macramé jewelry business, Mrs. K’s Kreations, to local craft fairs once or twice a month in addition to teaching. I was experiencing some success, enough to make the micro-macramé hobby financially self-sustaining. However, during the move, I envisioned the possibility of truly pursuing this micro-macramé artist path!
So here I am, 2025 will be my first full year dedicated to being a full-time micro-macramé artist. I must admit, I feel a bit anxious about it. Nonetheless, the steadfast support from my family has significantly eased my imposter syndrome. During a recent phone call with my mom, I mentioned that I was working on a micro-macramé piece, and she responded, “Oh, so you are working!” My husband has been equally supportive, enthusiastically promoting my small business to anyone who will listen. When I asked him why he does this, he said it’s because he knows I won’t, and he thinks what I’m doing is really cool.
I have also been focusing on building my creative network. I’m grateful that we moved close to Knoxville, known as Maker City. The Maker City hosts mixers and professional development opportunities for creative small business owners, and I’ve made it a point to attend as many events as possible. I am learning so much from these professional development sessions. The last class I attended was titled “Mastering Soft Skills: Confidence, Connection, and Communication.” We discussed overcoming imposter syndrome and building confidence in our work. Additionally, connecting with other artists has provided mentorship and validation, affirming that my work is meaningful and impactful. Sharing experiences and learning from others has helped lessen my feelings of inadequacy.
Lastly, I continually remind myself of the joy and fulfillment that creating art brings me. My passion for micro-macramé is rooted in a deep love for the craft, and that enthusiasm is evident in my work. By staying true to my passion, I have gained confidence in my abilities and quieted the inner critic that questions my legitimacy as an artist.
These experiences are gradually convincing me that I am not an imposter; I am an artist! By sharing my journey with imposter syndrome and my efforts to overcome it, I hope to inspire others to acknowledge their unique paths and embrace their own artistry.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Brooke Kitzhaber, and I am a micro-macramé artist based in East Tennessee. I infuse each delicate piece I create with my heart and creativity. Nature’s beauty serves as my greatest inspiration, and I combine natural stones with polyester string to craft my designs. Macramé is the art of tying knots; therefore, my pieces are made solely from various knots without the use of wire or glue. I wrap natural stones with string, designing around each wrap, so every piece reflects the unique character of its stone, making each creation one-of-a-kind. I strive to weave enchanting, fairytale-like elements into my designs to add a touch of magic to everyday life. Through my work, I hope to connect wearers to our precious Earth, allowing them to experience the beauty and tranquility of the natural world.
I aspire to create whimsical, fairytale-inspired branding. Each of my pieces is unique, designed around individual stones, as no two stones are alike. Every piece tells its own story, and I aim to convey that narrative. To enhance this storytelling, I write a descriptive story to accompany each creation. I find great joy when a piece finds its perfect match at a market and goes home with someone who will cherish it. My motto is, “Carefully tying nature-inspired jewelry pieces to bring joy to your world.”
As part of this storytelling journey, I recently launched my weekly blog, “Knot by Knot,” which you can find on my website! In this blog, I delve into the stories and inspirations behind my micro-macramé creations. As a customer, I always feel more excited to purchase when I know the artist’s story or the background of the art. Understanding the journey and passion behind each piece fosters a deeper connection to the art itself, and I aim to create a community space for this. My blog will be a platform where I share my creative process, inspirations, and personal anecdotes, fostering a vibrant community of macramé enthusiasts and fellow creators. Launching this blog was one of my goals for my small business in 2025, and I am thrilled to see it come to life.
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?
I firmly believe that the most crucial skill when embarking on any new venture is to give yourself the freedom to fail. Interestingly, my journey into micro-macramé began while I was attempting to learn how to draw. When everything shut down in 2020, I felt a strong urge to explore something creative. I committed to drawing for at least 20 minutes each day, a practice I maintained for several months. Unfortunately, I saw no improvement in my drawing skills; I might have even gotten worse. However, this exploration of creativity opened the door to various artistic avenues, ultimately leading me to discover micro-macramé. Had I allowed my drawing setbacks to hinder my creative path, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
It’s important not to be afraid to ask for help. I share this because it’s something I personally struggle with. While I can craft intricate micro-macramé, I often feel out of my depth when it comes to the business aspects of my small business. I’m currently taking classes to improve my skills, and just today, I reached out to a friend in business. Guess what, he was absolutely happy to spend a few minutes talking to me and answering my questions. People are generally truly happy to help.
Lastly, and I know you have heard it before, practice is crucial in honing any skill. When I first started micro-macramé, my creations were truly terrible—crooked and uneven. However, through consistent practice, I improved significantly. Just two years ago I could not create anything without following a pattern, now I exclusively create my own unique designs. Practice not only enhances technical skills but also builds confidence. I even practiced setting up my market booth to overcome initial nervousness. My advice to those starting their journey is to commit to regular practice, as it is the foundation of mastery and creativity.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
As I mentioned earlier, I’m new to the stay-at-home lifestyle. Currently, my biggest challenge is establishing a schedule for myself. In my previous role as a teacher, my life revolved around a structured timetable, even dictated by a bell! I thrive on routine; it keeps me grounded. However, when we first moved, I found it difficult to create a schedule due to the constant changes that required my flexibility. Now, six months later, I’m still grappling with the task of forming a daily routine.
One of the main issues is that I could spend all day tying knots. Micro-macramé brings me unparalleled joy and entertainment, and a crucial part of running my small business involves creating the pieces I want to sell. However, I also have exciting surprises and goals planned for Mrs. K’s Kreations this year that extend beyond knot tying, such as this article. I need to find a way to incorporate these goals into my schedule to stay focused, organized, and avoid burnout.
Additionally, I have personal aspirations like exercising, walking my dog, preparing healthy meals, and making new friends. To start, I’m working with a to-do list and envisioning what my ideal day would entail. Last week, I implemented my first attempt at this new schedule, and I hope to finalize something that resonates with me by the end of January, allowing me to maintain it through February and beyond.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mrskskreations.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrs_ks_kreations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Mrs-Ks-Kreations-100075878483760/
- Other: New blog, “Knot by Knot:” https://www.mrskskreations.com/s/stories
