Meet the Maker: Keith Grafton

Meet Keith Grafton. If you’ve ever dreamed of literally crafting for a living, Keith is currently living that dream. Keith is the Darice Corporate Craft Coordinator and our go-to guy for all things creative and DIY. He’s uber talented in all areas of the crafting arena and can whip up anything from an intricate macrame pendant necklace to a hand drawn t-shirt design (see below!). Keith is an integral part of the Darice organization and we’re so excited to feature him and share his story. Keep reading to learn more about our crafty guru!

Introduce us to you: who you are, where you’re from – all the important details.

Hi my names Keith Grafton Blake, I am a husband, a fur father of 4 very spoiled fur babies and a 100% self-taught crafter/designer.

How did you get your start as a maker and what do you make?

I can honestly say that I have tried pretty much every craft at least once. My personal favorites are paper crafting and knitting.

Have you always had a creative side or did someone help you find it?

I give my mom full credit for my creative side. My earliest memories are with her crafting with me. Construction paper, scissors and glue.

Have you turned your passion for creating into your day job?

I have been blessed in many ways, one is the talents that I have been given and the other is to turn that talent into a job that I simply love. I have been in my position for 21 years.

Do trends help guide what you’re creating? And if so, how do you identify them?

For me I follow a lot of the activity on the west coast and also in the UK. These locations seem to be areas I see trends grow and come out from.

What trends are you seeing pop-up right now?

Farmhouse, bugs/insects and cardmaking, but the cardmaking isn’t a normal card there is dimension and moving elements to the cards.

Who (or what) gets you excited about the work you do?

A fresh idea and being able to share it with others.

What’s one piece of advice you’d share with other makers?

Try, never say you can’t do something.

What goal(s) are you working toward?

I am attending online college to better understand Product Development.

What’s your creative mantra and why?

Let go and just be creative.

What’s on your studio playlist?

I have a wide range of music in my playlist, it all depends on what mood I am in. My go to is always soft rock from the 70’s

When you’re not creating what are you up to?

I love to get my hands in the dirt. I spend most of my spring and summer in my yard taking care of my pond and my gardens. I have recently added a bee hive to my garden, its going well so far but I also haven’t gotten stung yet.

Makers make the crafting world go ‘round. Are you a maker who wants to be featured on Darice?Send us an email at social@darice.com – we’re looking forward to meeting you!