Thank you so much for reading my very first blog post! YAY! I FINALLY made it happen!

My blog goal is to share tips, tricks, things I’ve learned that might be helpful, brag about awesome makers, and give you some insight into my scattered brain. Above it all, I want it to be a fun and bright space!

Here is some basic info about me and Cracker Jack Goods:

My name is Kara, my favorite colors are blush pink, orange, and mustard yellow!
The name Cracker Jack Goods came from needing a new business name VERY fast, like within a few days fast. I needed something I would never get sick of or want to change, so my dog at the time Cracker Jack was an obvious choice! He was my constant companion for 11 years and truly one of the biggest blessings in my life. I added “goods” because I didn’t want to be limited to just embroidery or jewelry which were my main creative outlets at the time.
I started an Etsy shop in 2009 after creating pretty much non-stop forever, I figured it was time to attempt to sell my goods!
I was born and raised in East Dallas and have been in North Texas my whole life.
My husband Conner and I would REALLY love to end up in New Mexico. Santa Fe and Taos are two of our favorite places. Conner proposed to me in the Pecos Wilderness on a backpacking trip and then we eloped in the Santa Fe National Forest later that year!
I have 2 nieces and I ADORE them. They are so much fun and any opportunity I have to encourage their creativity I will do it.

Photography by Carmen Washam Photography - she’s the best!

Here are some questions that y’all asked me on Instagram, I had so much fun with these!

@isleofskyestudio Why do you like to create?
- Creating is my therapy! I struggle with anxiety and keeping my hands busy helps my cognitive function. Using my hands is stress relief.
@maejewel214 The one print you must keep on hand at all times?
- Any and every color of Starry from Ruby Star Society!
@thedaileymaker Favorite warm beverage?
- Coffee! Preferably a caramel latte with oatmilk.
@cherylworm/@vocabularian Favorite thing you’ve made?
- I restored my Dad’s vintage bentwood rocking chair. I sanded all the brown paint off and brought back the natural wood, and then used yarn to cross stitch the back of it.
@cherylworm How I got into sewing/quilting?
- It seemed like a really natural adventure coming from embroidery. I learned to embroider when I was 10 and from there tried all sorts of fiber arts. I worked at a fabric shop a few years ago and fell in love with fabrics and learned how to quilt.
@vocabularian Favorite designer/artist?
- Anything from the ladies of Ruby Star Society, they are all so talented! I will have to add to this list though because there are so many people’s work that I love!
@vocabularian What is the make you’re most proud of?
- Several years ago a super sweet young woman reached out to me about restoring a vintage map that was her Grandmothers. The thread was falling off of it, and I could tell it meant so much to her. I removed all the bad thread and stitched it up again. I left what was still in good shape. It was a labor of love and the kind of project that makes my heart happy.
@prettypinkpapercompany First thing I remember creating?
- My brother and I were constantly creating as kids! So I remember lots of construction paper animals. When I was 10 and started embroidery, I stitched a floral pillowcase. I wish I still had it. I don’t remember what happened to it.
@prettypinkpapercompany Who cultivated/inspired your creativity?
- My parents 100% and some really incredible teachers along the way. My parents always made sure we had art supplies. Glue, construction paper, stencils, crayons, markers, it didn’t have to be fancy, but they made sure we had it. They let my brother and I run wild in our imaginations. My Dad was also and architect/artist, so growing up he would take me to Asel Art Supply and show me different types of materials to use. He showed me how to use pastels, charcoal, watercolors, anything and everything. I still have a lot of his supplies from college and I treasure them!

Welcome!