Carina Brandt: a short story.

brandtcarina
Apr 25
3 min read

🐄 From Paintbrushes to Paper Flowers: Meet Carina, the Heart Behind The Rustic Cow Crafts

Hey there! I’m Carina — artist, handmade decor queen, professional overachiever, and founder of The Rustic Cow Crafts (yes, named after my favorite animal — cows are adorable, and I don’t take criticism).

While other kids were out here dreaming about space or sirens, I was over in the corner with a sketchbook dreaming about art supplies and glue guns. I’ve always loved working with my hands — creating, crafting, and making things just a little bit prettier than they were five minutes ago.

Fast forward: I studied art at Arcadia University (BFA gang ✌️), graduated with a fancy degree, and promptly asked myself:

“What do I do now??”

🌀 Enter the Era of Chaos Jobs™

I jumped from job to job like a caffeinated squirrel — sometimes juggling two or three at once. I knew I was meant to create, but turning that into a career? That part was murky.

I launched an Etsy shop back in 2010 with nothing but hope and a prayer (and absolutely no idea how Etsy even worked). Spoiler: it bombed.

🧶 The Plot Twist: Grandma's Knitting Needles

When my grandmother passed, I inherited her knitting needles. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I taught myself — one awkward stitch at a time. Eventually, I was knitting scarves for everyone I had ever made eye contact with. And they were good. Like... keep-you-warm-and-make-you-look-cute good.

But crafting wasn’t just a phase. Friends started asking me to make centerpieces, party favors, wedding decor — and I said yes to everything. That’s when the idea hit me like a glitter bomb to the face:

“What if I actually made a business out of this?”

That's my rescue dog, Callie! I believe in rescues, that's why The Rustic Cow Crafts donates part of its profits to our local shelter!

🌾 And So, The Rustic Cow Was Born

In 2017, fueled by hot glue fumes and iced coffee, I launched The Rustic Cow Crafts — a handmade decor brand that blends cozy farmhouse style with a whole lot of creativity. The name? Obvious. Rustic farmhouse vibes + my undying love for cows = ✨branding gold✨.

I started small — squeezing in projects between shifts, dinners, and “when I should’ve been sleeping” hours. Then came the blessing in a very weird disguise:

😷 Lockdown 2020 = Crafting Heaven

Trapped at home with endless craft supplies and nowhere to go? BABY, I THRIVED. I started making in bulk. Built out a brand. Learned SEO (thanks YouTube), improved my photography, and poured my soul into every product. And guess what?

It worked.

Sales rolled in. People got my vibe. Every year, my passion grew — and so did my under-eye bags. I was still working full-time, but my soul belonged to The Rustic Cow.

🐮 Full-Time Craft Girl Era

Eventually, I did the terrifying thing. I quit the 9–5. Left behind the cubicle life, the fluorescent lighting, and the whole “crying in the breakroom” energy.

Now? I'm up at 4:30am, working until 10pm, running on sheer joy, glitter, and a lot of iced coffee. This is more than a job — it's my dream. And you made it possible.

💛 Why Every Order Means the World

Every single sale — no matter how big or small — helps me keep doing what I love:Creating art. Making people smile. And turning everyday homes into cozy, rustic dream spaces.

Without you, I’d probably still be trapped behind a desk, daydreaming about handmade candles and throwing side-eyes at fluorescent lights.So seriously — thank you.

Whether you’re here for the cozy throw blankets, rustic kitchen towels, cottagecore decor, or you just love cows like I do — I see you, I appreciate you, and I’m so glad you’re here.