Meet Caitlin Bruce | Curious Creative

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

Hi Caitlin, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
I make lists of things to do if I’m ever bored. Things to research, new items I could make, new resources to use, and just anything to keep me moving forward.
My endless curiosity serves me well. I love to figure out how things work. How was that item made? Why did the creator choose this method? I’ll keep it on my list and research the process behind it. This helps me appreciate the effort behind everything creative in my life.
I also try my best to fail in new ways every time I attempt something new. It can be so frustrating to not produce a perfect item but if I keep trying, I know I’ll learn another lesson in creating the best finished product. Each lesson goes on its own list; notes on the ways I’ve approached something new help me grow.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always been interested in crafts that create something from nothing. In college, I collected plastic bags to make into fusible plastic wallets and soda tabs to make into ribbon belts.For my wedding, I turned books bound for the dumpster into my flower centerpieces and bouquet. Saving those bits of trash and turning them into treasures gave me immense joy.

Now, I take chipped glasses and plates from yard sales and turn them into beautiful jewelry. I’ve even had folks drop off their glass recycling at my booth for me to take home and repurpose. It’s so satisfying creating in this way. When I started embroidering, it was natural to jump in by using fabric quilting remnants that would have been trashed. There’s so much potential in every item to be repurposed and find new life.

Not everything I make is recycled but my first effort will always bring me back to creating new beauty from something else left behind.

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 am a bit of a homebody so my first plan for guests is always to have a crafty night in with takeout. Luckily, we are blessed in Atlanta to have Scraplanta, where they sell secondhand fabric and art supplies. I would so take any visitors there to dig through their craft supplies to find something fun to create while we catch up, if Scraplanta wasn’t already hosting a workshop we could attend.

Catching a concert at Eddie’s Attic or even the Symphony at the Woodruff Arts Center is another activity I’d highly recommend. There’s so many ways to vibe to good music in Atlanta!

If we have time, I love to stroll through IKEA and plan elaborate room layouts, with the backstory to match. They make it easy to get started with their example floorplans.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Having a great support system is the only reason I am where I am today. My family and friends are so important to me. My partner Daniel has my back and shouts my praises to anyone who listens. The family group chat puts up with me sending half finished product shots to them at all hours and encourages me to keep going. My friends show up to my shows and send their friends my way. With that kind of support, you cannot fail. Any time I doubt myself, I have a group of people willing to remind me of my talents.

I’d also like to give a shout to all the local craft vendors in Atlanta. I’ve never felt more welcomed. From my first show, I was given a wealth of knowledge, tips that have served me well as I’ve grown as a creative entrepreneur.

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