This week's featured crafter is a mother of four girls who found a great way to stay at home and still make money doing what she loves. Let's meet Irma! 
Name: Irma Brenes
Hometown: Ridge, NY
Occupation: Optometric technician
Craft: Handcrafted note cards
How did you get into your craft?
Twenty five years ago when I was a young mother, I desperately wanted to stay home and have a home-based business. I had always enjoyed painting and drawing. It still is my passion. As a child I would spend hours coloring and drawing.
Needless to say, it made sense for me to handcraft my own greeting cards, note cards and stationary. During those early years of motherhood when I was home, I made many handcrafted note cards that my mom and dad would take to work and sell for me. Once the kids got older my hobby was put on the back burner.
But my love and need to be creative could not stay on the back burner forever. It wasn’t long before I began to pick up my watercolors, crayons and rubber stamps again to create mini works of art. Over the years I must have created thousands of handcrafted note cards which I have used myself or have given away as gifts or as donations.
What's your best craft tip? Have a space or room to call your own. We all need a haven to create our dreams.
Where do you find inspiration? I get my inspiration from everything and everywhere.
What craft would you like to try next? Silk screening and stained glass.
Where do you get your supplies? Michaels and The Angel Company
What's your biggest challenge? Staying organized.
Any advice for beginners? Do what you love and love what you do.
Why do you love your craft?
My creative talent is an unmerited gift from God. He is the one and true creative genius. I have come to realize that I am but a vessel which holds a microscopic amount of the creativity that he has chosen to share with me. I am so blessed! I love what I do because I feel like I am one with God when I am being creative.
Want to show off your creative side? Send me an e-mail with pictures showing off your favorite craft and you might be chosen as our next DIYer of the Week!
