Crafting Joy: The Creative Journey of Cassy Can Craft
- Taylor Duff
- Feb 11
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 25
Written & Photos by Taylor Duff
Cassy Can Craft chronicles Cassy's creative journey from home sales to art and photography, supported by her husband Ryan. She joined Salem's Saturday Market and left her corporate job two years ago. In 2024, they embraced 3D printing and moved their store to Pringle Park Plaza in Salem. Ryan, now her business partner, also left his job to join the venture. Despite challenges like social media engagement and overhead costs, Cassy innovates by offering crafting services and classes.
Photos Courtesy Of Cassy
The Beginning of Cassy Can Craft
I spoke with Cassy about her creative space and craftwork. She shared, "I've always wanted to bring more beauty into the world and make a positive contribution." Her husband, Ryan, is a co-owner and operator of the business. Their journey began at the Salem Saturday Market. Cassy started Cassy Can Craft while working a corporate job. She began when her husband gifted her a paint pour set, and she got him a 3D printer. Cassy realized her art needed to be shared, though she admits, "Opening a store was a total whim."
By 2024, Cassy made a significant pivot toward 3D printing, saying, "We made a hard pivot to a majority of 3D printing, which has become our bread and butter, but it still allows me the space to be creative." This shift has allowed Cassy to maintain her creative spirit while embracing the business side of things.
Cassy Can Craft is more than a business for Cassy; it's about spreading joy. "We do this to bring joy, and when people are excited about something they buy here, whether a toy, art creation, or custom order, it motivates us to continue," she says. On balancing creativity with business, Cassy notes, "My husband makes that possible. If I did this alone, I'd miss things constantly. His handling of business tasks allows me to focus on creativity and manage business aspects like accounting when needed."
Overcoming Challenges in the Crafting World
Cassy's enthusiasm is evident, but engaging on social media is challenging. "I'm still learning; reaching a wide audience is difficult, and often, what excites me doesn't excite others. I prefer one-on-one interactions where my excitement can be contagious, which is hard to achieve on social media."
Keeping a physical store afloat presents challenges. "The overhead is hard because it's difficult to attract people to a physical location," Cassy shares. Reflecting on relocating, she says, "We moved locations right before the holiday season, and it happened so quickly that many customers are still realizing I've moved since September. Opening two locations within a year was stressful." Despite this, Cassy remains committed to her customers: "I promise to have something new every day, and I have yet to break that promise."
Connecting with Community
Cassy draws inspiration from connecting with designers whose work resonates with her and her customers. She values the moment when a customer finds exactly what they've been searching for, filling a gap in their life. Cassy enjoys being part of that discovery process, often holding onto products until the right person comes along.
Cassy embraces the challenges in crafting, acknowledging frequent failures. She admits, "All the time. In some of my YouTube videos, I fail at chain-pulling but leave it in to pivot to something like a Dutch pour. I include these moments to inspire others struggling, showing that I'm not perfect."
Cassy advises beginners to start crafting without needing to buy a lot of equipment or know everything in advance. She emphasizes learning as you go, rather than striving for perfection from the outset.
Cassy is dedicated to engaging with her community. "Our business has two parts: the store and my husband's traveling role, which directs people back to the store. During shows, he tells customers they can get a free toy if they visit me, encouraging them to explore more. Only printed toys travel to markets, as they are easier to transport, unlike paintings, photography, and jewelry, which are too much to manage."
Reflecting on the most rewarding part of her journey, Cassy says, "I think the thing that I like the most is helping people with custom orders. When something I do gets someone else so excited that they have to tell other people, like that is probably the most rewarding thing, is just keeping that excitement."
Looking to the Future
Cassy remains adaptable and hopeful about the future. As a small business owner, she believes in having multiple plans and continually working to grow. She is exploring additional revenue streams, such as photography, logo designs, marketing, and potentially a TikTok shop, emphasizing the importance of exploring various avenues.
Cassy Can Craft is a reflection of Cassy and her husband Ryan's shared passion, creativity, and commitment to positively impacting their community. With each custom order, new product, and class, their vision becomes reality. Despite the challenges of running a small business, they are dedicated to bringing joy, sharing art, and creating lasting connections.
When in Salem, visit Cassy Can Craft for a unique, personal experience. Whether seeking something special or exploring creativity, Cassy and Ryan are there to guide your crafting journey. Their dedication to creativity and community remains steadfast.
Want to see more of Cassy Can Craft? Check her out at:
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