Hey, I’m Kelly Rae - AKA “Krafty Kel”

A young woman with long reddish-blonde hair standing near a cart filled with colored markers, markers, and art supplies in a room with wooden flooring and a multi-colored wall.

Outside of painting banners, I’m usually hanging out with my kids, Layton (7) and Lilly (5), snuggling with my dog, Remi (8), juggling mom life, creative chaos, and whatever project I’ve decided to take on that week. We’re an NWA family from Memphis, TN that thrives on simple joys — backyard hangs, movie nights piled on the couch, and spontaneous date nights with Zak, my partner of eight years, who’s been cheering me on through every wild creative idea I’ve had.

I’ve always been creative, but my journey here wasn’t exactly linear. I spent over ten years as a photographer, helping women and teens feel confident and seen through my camera lens. I loved it deeply, but eventually hit a point of burnout that made me step back and ask what creativity meant to me beyond a paycheck or a photoshoot. That pause is where Krafty Kel Creative Co. was born; from scrolling Tik-Tok and seeing other stay-at-home moms teaching how to paint banners. I knew I could do it so I dove right in - exactly what my un-medicated ADHD thrives off of.

Now I spend my days turning digital designs into hand-painted magic — banners full of color and personality. My style’s a mix of hippy vibes, witchy energy, and southern charm, all wrapped up in brown kraft paper and paint splatters. I love connecting with people who appreciate the perfectly imperfect and understand that art doesn’t have to be polished to be meaningful.

When I’m not painting, I’m usually planning the next creative idea, organizing school parties, or soaking up time with my family. Life’s busy, loud, and far from picture-perfect, but that’s kind of what makes it beautiful — and that’s exactly the energy I pour into every piece I make.

Woman wearing sunglasses taking a selfie with her black dog in the front seat of a Jeep Rubicon.
Two young children, a girl in a white dress and a boy in a blue sleeveless shirt and khaki shorts, sitting on a flat rock in a shallow creek surrounded by lush green trees.
A man and a woman taking a selfie in a parking lot with cars and orange traffic cones in the background. The woman is wearing large sunglasses and a black top, while the man is wearing a black t-shirt, a baseball cap, and sunglasses resting on the cap.