creative highlight
from our community
QUAY MARTINEZ
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I am a wife, a mother of three, and a grandmother of six. I am Nana to my three granddaughters and three grandsons. I absolutely love being their Nana!
I love all things old, vintage, crusty and dusty! Old, vintage quilts are one of my favorite things! I have many family treasures from my grandmother and my mom – monetarily not worth so much, but to me they are priceless! I have really enjoyed creating gifts for my family from our family mementos. I love to create items with an inspirational and/or uplifting message. Scripture verses and Christian song lyrics are often seen in my work. I strive to offer positive, family friendly and classic designs. I also like to make pretty things!
Living on the coast of South Texas in a small town, my husband John and I are extremely blessed to be able to be involved in our grandchildren's daily lives. As a firm believer in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I realized that I can combine my love of crafting with my love of Jesus by sharing the Good News through my creativity. Not everyone can go and witness to others verbally, as some lack the boldness, but I realized I could share my faith through my designs and it gives me complete joy!
Instagram: @olive_branch.quaymartinez
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OliveBranchTreasures
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://olivebranchtreasures.com/
I love all things old, vintage, crusty and dusty! Old, vintage quilts are one of my favorite things! I have many family treasures from my grandmother and my mom – monetarily not worth so much, but to me they are priceless! I have really enjoyed creating gifts for my family from our family mementos. I love to create items with an inspirational and/or uplifting message. Scripture verses and Christian song lyrics are often seen in my work. I strive to offer positive, family friendly and classic designs. I also like to make pretty things!
Living on the coast of South Texas in a small town, my husband John and I are extremely blessed to be able to be involved in our grandchildren's daily lives. As a firm believer in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I realized that I can combine my love of crafting with my love of Jesus by sharing the Good News through my creativity. Not everyone can go and witness to others verbally, as some lack the boldness, but I realized I could share my faith through my designs and it gives me complete joy!
Instagram: @olive_branch.quaymartinez
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OliveBranchTreasures
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://olivebranchtreasures.com/
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Can you tell us about your introduction to art? How did you know you had a creative gift?
Well, I think I have always been a creative person, but I never really had much time to devote to it. I taught myself to sew when my kids were young, and found I wasn’t very good at it! I also did hand stitching, cross stitch, small projects just for myself.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
Honestly, it never occurred to me that someone might want to purchase one of my projects! Some members of my family, and some of my friends started encouraging me to offer my items for sale, they were confidant others would want to buy them! I wasn’t so sure, but I took the plunge!
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don’t find themselves in a creative background or field? Life family/friends/strangers?
I had an experience several years before I started my business, when I was just crafting for gifts, and family. I had seen a Facebook page with some really cute pillows, and I knew it was a business, and I had a question about a certain sewing technique. I messaged the seller, and boy was I shocked by the response I received! I was told in no uncertain terms that she was running a business and not a DIY site! And she said to take a class and learn it myself! Well, I did figure out how to do that certain technique, and now when I have people ask me how to do something I always remember that sinking feeling I got from that lady. And I always answer questions from anyone who asks! This is a big world, and there are enough customers for everyone! It was a lesson I learned on how not to treat others! I strive to treat others with respect and kindness.
Well, I think I have always been a creative person, but I never really had much time to devote to it. I taught myself to sew when my kids were young, and found I wasn’t very good at it! I also did hand stitching, cross stitch, small projects just for myself.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
Honestly, it never occurred to me that someone might want to purchase one of my projects! Some members of my family, and some of my friends started encouraging me to offer my items for sale, they were confidant others would want to buy them! I wasn’t so sure, but I took the plunge!
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don’t find themselves in a creative background or field? Life family/friends/strangers?
I had an experience several years before I started my business, when I was just crafting for gifts, and family. I had seen a Facebook page with some really cute pillows, and I knew it was a business, and I had a question about a certain sewing technique. I messaged the seller, and boy was I shocked by the response I received! I was told in no uncertain terms that she was running a business and not a DIY site! And she said to take a class and learn it myself! Well, I did figure out how to do that certain technique, and now when I have people ask me how to do something I always remember that sinking feeling I got from that lady. And I always answer questions from anyone who asks! This is a big world, and there are enough customers for everyone! It was a lesson I learned on how not to treat others! I strive to treat others with respect and kindness.
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
I use scriptures, verses, phrases, Christian song lyrics, uplifting and encouraging words on most of my items. As I am designing, looking up scriptures, and doing research I feel that the Lord is leading me to create something that will effect someone in a positive way. I pray for guidance!
What are your favorite ways to create?
I get inspiration from all sorts of places! During our praise and worship time at church, sometimes certain song lyrics just touch me and I can see how I can use them on a project, and I make a note of it, so as not to forget! I love to sit down at my work table and just look at all my vintage quilts, laces, trims and buttons. They inspire me!
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I would have to say expanding my prayer quilt ministry. I first made a Pocket Prayer Quilt Square, now called a Prayer Quilt, when my best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. I wanted to give her something to take to her treatments, something she could hold and know that she could get thru her treatments. I sewed a small wooden cross under the poem, so she could feel it, and it would give her strength to make it through. Well she loved it, and the other people getting treatments all asked for one, and so my journey making prayer quilts began! I have since made some mini ones, and these can be pinned to a pillow, or gown. I have several churches that take these to nursing homes, hospitals, wherever the need is. I also make these with the Lord’s Prayer, and Psalm 23 on them. I never dreamed how such a small square of fabric, could make such a huge impact. These little prayer quilts have given comfort, and touched so many lives. I have probably made thousands of these at this point, and never tire of hearing how much they have meant to people. That is God working!
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
If you have confidence in your abilities, and in the product you are selling, have a good positive attitude, and realistic expectations, I say go for it! You really won’t know until you try! If it doesn’t work find out why. Make some changes, and try again! I had wanted to start a business long before I actually did it! I was afraid of failure, and didn’t have enough confidence in myself! It was difficult, but I took that leap of faith, and now I am so proud of myself! I always thought that nobody would pay money for what I make, or that they would make fun of what I made, or pick it apart, and point out every flaw. Fear of rejection is real! And even now sometimes when something doesn’t sell, I question myself, is it overpriced? Is it not good enough? Is it not worth it? And then I tell myself…STOP! The right person just hasn’t come along yet! As long as you seek God’s guidance in every aspect of your business, He will guide you!
I use scriptures, verses, phrases, Christian song lyrics, uplifting and encouraging words on most of my items. As I am designing, looking up scriptures, and doing research I feel that the Lord is leading me to create something that will effect someone in a positive way. I pray for guidance!
What are your favorite ways to create?
I get inspiration from all sorts of places! During our praise and worship time at church, sometimes certain song lyrics just touch me and I can see how I can use them on a project, and I make a note of it, so as not to forget! I love to sit down at my work table and just look at all my vintage quilts, laces, trims and buttons. They inspire me!
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I would have to say expanding my prayer quilt ministry. I first made a Pocket Prayer Quilt Square, now called a Prayer Quilt, when my best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. I wanted to give her something to take to her treatments, something she could hold and know that she could get thru her treatments. I sewed a small wooden cross under the poem, so she could feel it, and it would give her strength to make it through. Well she loved it, and the other people getting treatments all asked for one, and so my journey making prayer quilts began! I have since made some mini ones, and these can be pinned to a pillow, or gown. I have several churches that take these to nursing homes, hospitals, wherever the need is. I also make these with the Lord’s Prayer, and Psalm 23 on them. I never dreamed how such a small square of fabric, could make such a huge impact. These little prayer quilts have given comfort, and touched so many lives. I have probably made thousands of these at this point, and never tire of hearing how much they have meant to people. That is God working!
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
If you have confidence in your abilities, and in the product you are selling, have a good positive attitude, and realistic expectations, I say go for it! You really won’t know until you try! If it doesn’t work find out why. Make some changes, and try again! I had wanted to start a business long before I actually did it! I was afraid of failure, and didn’t have enough confidence in myself! It was difficult, but I took that leap of faith, and now I am so proud of myself! I always thought that nobody would pay money for what I make, or that they would make fun of what I made, or pick it apart, and point out every flaw. Fear of rejection is real! And even now sometimes when something doesn’t sell, I question myself, is it overpriced? Is it not good enough? Is it not worth it? And then I tell myself…STOP! The right person just hasn’t come along yet! As long as you seek God’s guidance in every aspect of your business, He will guide you!