Today we're getting to know @hale5torm08, who joined Creator's Studio in March 2020 and has shared numerous DIY projects in the community👋🏼
Why did you join Creator's Studio?
I’ve always been a closet creator but never showed off or publicly really talked with others about honestly anything I’ve created. When I found the Studio by accident during the pandemic I thought it would be a great way to connect with a new community who would support my creative endeavors while engaging with other members on theirs' at the same time.
What's your favorite part of the Creator's Studio community?
The support first and foremost! But I love the challenges! They make me continue to find reasons to continue to create and personally push my skills to try out new projects and have the courage to submit my creations for others to see and “judge”!
How would you describe yourself/occupation to a complete stranger?
I’ve been a nurse here in Vermont for 10 years now, I’m a single mother of my mini me who’s now 9 years old and in the 4th grade pushing the personality of a high school senior. I play video games, I’m OBSESSED with Hello Kitty although I have an irrational fear of house cats. Aside from that fact I do have one he looks identical to Salem from Sabrina the teenage Witch (the original) and I secretly DIY, craft, and upcycle in my spare time just for the fun of it and have for about 10 years now - although I’ve never shown off my work to anyone other than those I’ve make something for prior to joining Creator's Studio.
What creative areas do you like to focus on?
I love to upcycle the most, I love taking things people no longer see any beauty or use for and turning the whatever-it-is into custom gifts or reused in a custom way that makes them a one of a kind, eye catching creation that keeps people talking every time they see it.
What is your favorite Rust-Oleum product? How has it helped with your DIY projects?
Kona stain, well Rust-Oleum stain in any color but Kona I tend to use a lot. It's so easy to use on wood in almost any project but to keep the same color palate I like to use stain to keep my DYI projects coordinated. I even used Rust-Oluem stain when I build my daughter's doll house and put in the fake trim to match the stain we used through out our house. That was a messy little task!
What interests you most about DIY projects?
Gifting one of a kind personalized gifts for my closest friends and family that they cannot find or buy in any store. Knowing that it is tailored directly to them directly and that they have something I’ve created just for them knowing its something they will use and cherish, and for other people to ask them “where did you ever get something like that?"
What's the best DIY project you have completed and how did you accomplish it?
This is a tough one, I would say the dollhouse I made for my daughter to have and keep as a family heirloom. I received the “house” as a baby shower gift that my (now) ex husband had actually built with his niece as far as the doll house’s structure but the entire interior was left unfinished from his teenage years. This was a huge project to take on from wall paper, to faux wood work, its multi-level and various rooms all needed to be completed and designed interior wise as well as completing the window/door installation before this massive dollhouse could be considered finished or ever put into a play kind of state. But then again also completely face lifting my entire living space this past year with the trash to treasure challenge serving station I built, and mirror hutch all to match a table someone else had upcycled with nothing more to go on other than the color duck egg all which were highlighted in challenges and especially in when they were shown in the centennial clip was kind of the highlight og my creating world! It too hard to choose!
What's the most difficult project you have tackled?
The serving station (wine bar but as my daughter states she can’t drink wine so its technically called a serving station where all types of drinks are served) I upcycled out of media console table. That was the most daunting. But flip the coin and the full restoration I just completed for my neighbor of a leafed farmhouse style table and two benched dining set was like nothing I’ve ever taken on nor will I be taking on that level of project again any time soon.
If you could create any type of project (with no limitations), what would you design and why?
A kitchen/entry way remodel, with a tiled back splash, and accent wall. Plus an upper wall redesign for the above the cabinet/refrigerator tiled coordination. Because my kitchen flows into a little entry way is a small galley style and is just so basic and bored often cluttered on the counters and at this point doesn’t match the level of design I’ve made the rest of the living space into 😄
Tell us something about yourself that most people don't know about you.
What most of you may not know is that I’m heavily tattooed from head to toe! What most people in my day to day life don’t know is that I create and, not to toot my own horn, but have kind of make some decent creations!
What's the best advice that anyone has ever given you?
If you don’t like something change it.
What book(s) are on your nightstand right now?
The Harry Potter Boxed Set (reading with my daughter Bugs before I let her watch the movies).
What's your all time favorite food?
Raspberries.
A pleasure to get to know you @hale5torm08 (and your mini-me) - we look forward to seeing more of your creations in the community!
