Rise Up Designs

  This weekend looked a little different for me—and honestly, it needed to. Usually, my weekends are full of prepping, creating, and getting ready for upcoming markets. There’s always something to do, something to make, something to improve. But this weekend? I took a step back. I spent time with my family, went to the Fiesta Flambeau Parade (one of our yearly traditions), and just allowed myself to be present. And it reminded me of something I think we all need to hear every now and then: 👉 Rest is part of the process too. Of course, I still had a little bit of that business mindset in me—I made Fiesta t-shirts for my family (which I also sell), and it was actually really fun to have people stop and ask where we got them. I handed out a few business cards and even made a couple of sales without even planning to. But the best part wasn’t the sales. It was the balance. It was being able to enjoy the moment while still seeing how my business naturally fits into my life—not t...

This weekend, I hit pause on the hustle and gave myself a full-on San Antonio-style staycation — right in the middle of Fiesta. And let me tell you — it was exactly what my creative soul needed. What Even Is Fiesta ? 🪅🎉 If you’re not from here, picture this: An 11-day explosion of color, music, food, culture, parades, and puro San Antonio pride. Originally started in 1891 to honor the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, Fiesta San Antonio has grown into the city’s biggest celebration — with proceeds going to scholarships, non-profits, and community programs. It’s joyful. It’s loud. It’s gloriously extra. It’s puro SA !! And we LOVE it. Staycation Highlights To soak in the full experience, I stayed at the Emily Morgan Hotel — a historic, slightly spooky icon right next to the Alamo. (Yes, I absolutely peeked down the hallway for ghosts and heard things at night but no regrets.) 🏨👻 We had dinner at Lone Star Café overlooking the Riverwalk — the gorgeous day the big a...

Sometimes the biggest wins don’t come from big crowds or big booths… They come from a two-hour craft fair at an elementary school , under paper flowers, surrounded by community, family, and the unexpected magic of handmade joy. This week’s flex? A Fiesta-themed event hosted by my niece Gracie’s school , and y’all — it ended up being everything. Gracie, the Accidental CEO 👧🏻✨ Knowing she might get a little bored, I brought Gracie some silicone beads to play with while she sat at my booth. You know, just something to keep her busy. Cut to: Gracie crafting up the cutest little keychains you’ve ever seen , and casually laying them out on the table like she’s been doing markets for years. No sign. No price. Just sitting there being adorable. Then it happened… A woman walked by, picked one up and said, “Oh my gosh… these keychains are BEAUTIFUL!” 😍 I blinked. Gracie blinked. I said, “Yep! They’re for sale!” ( Internally: Are they? They are now. ) The lady BOUGHT it. Gra...