Creativity is at the heart of everything we do, and this month, we wanted to celebrate the incredible artists and makers who bring their passion to life. We asked our community a simple yet powerful question: Why do you create? The answers were as inspiring as the artwork itself—ranging from self-expression and relaxation to gifting and the pure joy of making something with their hands. In this special feature, we’re sharing the heartfelt responses and beautiful crafts from our amazing creative community. Whether crafting is your escape, your way to connect with others, or simply a way to bring more beauty into the world, we hope these stories resonate with you and inspire you to keep creating.

Roberta Wax

Creating makes me happy, and it makes others happy to receive a handmade card or gift, which in turn makes me ... well... happy. So it's a full circle. Creating is good for the soul, the heart, and the mind. Sometimes it's hard, sometimes it's easy, but it is always fulfilling, relaxing, and joyful. And I feel lucky to have companies like Ranger around that feed those creative journeys.

Find Roberta Wax on Instagram @robertawax

Kris Camealy

When I get my hands dirty with paint and glue, I am able to disconnect from the noise in my head and just be present to the materials and to those deeper thoughts that get crowded out by the immediacies of the day. Creating helps me process the world. Every time I walk away from the art table, and am a little more integrated as a person.

Find Kris Camealy on Instagram @kriscamealy

Kathy Kottmeier Sage

Creating keeps me balanced and lifts me up. I feel drawn to create in any medium. Each step of the creative process fills up my soul. To me, thinking about creating something is like dreaming. Using my hands to create is therapeutic. Manipulating a given medium allows me to outwardly express myself and sends my brain into a euphoric, meditative state where my mind is free and able to shut out all negative energy so that I can regenerate and heal from a lifetime of stress & anxiety that I suppressed and ignored for so long. The more I create, the more I heal, the more I heal, the more I create…and so on!

Find Kathy Kottmeier Sage on Instagram @kathykottmeierart

Janna Ketchum

Creating is my form of self-care. I work a high intensity job in the field of mental heath and education as a behavioural interventionist. I discovered the joy of creating with Ranger Tim Holtz Distress products in 2018 and fell in love with the Distress palette. Making gives me a way to ground myself in the present and the drive to learn new things. Makers gonna make! Happy crafting!

Find Janna Ketchum on Instagram @thecraftycorner_jannak

Heather Sheira

I have always been creative-I started as a young girl decorating my bedroom door for all holidays, hand making Christmas presents and Valentine's day cards for my family and friends. Over the years that transformed into school projects, scrapbooking and making party invitations and party decor. Halloween is my favorite! More recently, I discovered the world of Ideology and fell in love! Ultimately what I truly enjoy about crafting is the process of having an idea and then seeing where that takes you. Sometimes you end up with something that matches the picture in your head but I have found, more often then not, you end up with something completely different. That is the really fun part…to see what new ideas spark and take hold.

Find Heather Sheira on Instagram @paperdollsandc0

Yuko Neal

It has become my lifeline through the last 25 years in acute spinal trauma. 10 years bedridden, 2 years physical therapy, 15 yrs of experimental treatments. Finding such an outlet to survive all the variations of physical, mental & emotional health has been essential to my survival, wellbeing & sanity. Thank you Ranger.

Terri Burson

Cardmaking keeps me sane! When life is hectic and I need to unwind, it allows me to relax and enjoy the creative process. I love how a new stamp set, or ink or dies give me that initial spark that unfolds on paper. Both hands and brain, in sync to create something wonderful. It brings me such happiness.

Find Terri Burson on Instagram @wavingmywand

Rachael Shedeed

Why I create? I create for the joy it gives others to receive a handmade card. I might gift a friend a scrapbook for a very special occasion. Or I might even gift a mini journal! I love to create all these things to give joy to others. The biggest reason I create is for the joy I feel in my heart and soul! When I am joyful in my creations, those creations have a knock on effect of giving joy to the recipient. Joy is the reason I create, just joy!

Find Rachael Shedeed on Instagram @cardrefinery

Mary Cash

I create for the sheer pleasure of it. I also love to see what others create because it keeps the crafty wheels in my mind turning. I’m 73 years young and I believe in the statement, “use it or lose it.” You need to keep your mind sharp and creating really keeps the wheels of your mind turning. I also enjoy making others smile with my cards.

Find Mary Cash on Instagram @cash2228

Myrthe Tobe

I absolutely love making cards — from creating beautiful backgrounds to coloring stamps. It’s my perfect way to relax and let my creativity flow! And the best part? Making someone smile with something I created just for them!

Find Myrthe Tobe on Instagram @creativemyrthe

Jane Wetzel

I create because of the feeling i have inside me. I was born this way. I am obsessed with art and creating something with my hands. I LOVE making people happy and surprising them with something I created and sent. The process of creating is a form of meditation and love. Its almost like a religion! AND..best of all....anyone that really wants to should have no problem creating!

Find Jane Wetzel on Instagram @janewetz

Alice Robbins

Just feels good! I’ll be 79 this year. My goal is to learn something new everyday. Crafting lets me do that. Ink has been my biggest challenge. Love every minute of watching the magic happen.

Vivian Avella-Diaz

I was born on the gorgeous island of Puerto Rico, but I left it over 30 years ago to pursue bigger and better things. Most of my art is inspired by the ocean and beaches because they remind me of home. My creations bring me a sense of comfort and peace because they transport me back to my roots.

Find Vivian Avella-Diaz on Instagram @vivianpad68

Naomi Symchych

Carol Wasserman

I started out as a card maker using primarily patterned papers and stamps. As time went on I spread my wings and started dabbling in ink blending, and slowly morphed into a full blown mixed media artist. In 2020, dealing with the Covid lockdown and medical treatment, I found relaxation and sanity in art journaling. I use acrylic paint, watercolors, distress inks, gel prints, fun mark making and text stamps to complete my spreads. It brings me joy to see the completed piece.

Find Carol Wasserman on Instagram @flute117cards

Julissa Sargo

I create to express emotions and ideas. Coloring allows me to destress while fueling my creativity. With art, reality has no limits—you can color a feather, flower, or face in any shade you imagine. Whether designing a card or filling a canvas, creativity knows no boundaries. I create to share emotions, turning feelings into tangible expressions. A 'thinking of you' or birthday card carries warmth from one heart to another. Through creativity, I can multiply positivity. In a world full of shadows, let’s share the colors!

Find Julissa Sargo on Instagram @papergemsbyjules

Cindy Winsel

I create because it saved my life! Because of creativity I am experiencing 9 years of sobriety on a daily basis. I never thought I had a creative bone in my body. When I retired I was so lost. I wondered who I was and how would I define myself now. I discovered the Zentangle art method in 2016 and ever since my art has evolved into a wide range of mediums. I practice my art on a daily basis. My friends ask me how can I create daily? It’s because I love it, it’s my purpose in life, and it’s healing. I believe that every one is creative in some way. With anyone who will listen, I share the healing power of creativity.

Find Cindy Winsel on Instagram @cwinsel2456

Jean Godbold

I live a life of chaos and am always on the road between work, my studio and volunteering. I cared for my Dad his last few years and have come to realize that life is short, each day should be lived to its fullest and for those like me, who do not have a lot of time and funds to escape, art can bring peace and pleasure. My passion is teaching others that "you" can do "this" and as Dad was progressing, opening my studio gave me a place I could work around the times he needed me but I could help others find their niche and learn to express themselves too. I am all about my grandchildren, Girl Scouts, music, bright colors and the world around us, so you get a taste of that when you view my art. By the way, I think Dylusions are one of the best products on the planet.

Find Jean Godbold on Facebook @Art Your Heart Out Creations and Classes by Jeannie

Kim Bradford

I create to escape all the craziness happening in the world today. It relaxes me and makes me happy.

Find Kim Bradford on Instagram @kimmie92592

Deanna Cosgrove

I create because it’s a transformative force that revitalizes my being. I believe we all possess a spark of creativity within us, and how we harness that creativity is a genuine reflection of our authentic selves. Some people find expression through cooking, others through nurturing relationships, designing, building, gardening, or repurposing objects – all magnificent forms of their unique 'art'. The creative process itself is a powerful catalyst for healing, rejuvenation, and replenishment, addressing our deepest needs in the moment. When I complete a card or mixed media project, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride and unbridled joy that's difficult to put into words. And, with many of my creations, I have the privilege of sharing them with others, bringing solace, joy, or celebration into their lives. So, I craft for three profound reasons: to unleash my creativity, which brings me a restorative and revitalizing experience; to bask in the glory of accomplishment; and to relish the joy of sharing my creations with others, making their day a little brighter.

Find Deanna Cosgrove on Instagram @dc.in.az_art

Michele Ferguson

Why I create, you ask? For so many reasons! To get me through Winter, to enjoy coloring the images of Spring florals, to keep me busy on rainy Summer days, and embrace all the glorious colors of a Michigan Fall! But, most of all: to keep my heart happy! I cannot even imagine a day without paper and ink! Bonus: it's amazing all the wonderful card makers around the world I am now honored to call 'friends!'

Find Michele Ferguson on Instagram @mfergu01

Becky Bucci

When I retired 20 years ago, it gave me time to explore my creative side. I have become a mixed media fiber artist that creates daily.

Find Becky Bucci on Instagram @beckyb66

Wendy Poschmann

I am inspired by nature. Painting my impressions of what I see is a challenge that I find relaxing , fun and makes me happy! When I switched from watercolours to Ranger alcohol ink all of the above increased. The inks start the process and I follow what they give me. Creating is like an experiment with fun surprises in the process!