We’re thrilled to introduce our February Mom of the Month, Janel House — mom of two, devoted wife, and the creative mind behind CraftyNellieKC! Based Grain Valley, Janel has crafted a delightful world of handmade custom party decor and favors, all while nurturing family bonds and personal dreams.
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Tell us a little about yourself and your family.
I am a wife and mom of two children, Nickolas and Rhiannon who are now adults. I am a "Nellie" to my granddaughter, Sage. My husband and I are high school sweethearts from a small town in New Mexico and moved here for me to attend graduate school. I taught special education for 12 years and had to stop teaching due to some health reasons.
What inspired you to start your business?
What inspired me to start my business began during a season when my health required me to slow down and stay home. I had always been someone who was constantly moving and doing, so that pause was unfamiliar territory. Wanting to give me something creative to focus on while I figured out my next steps, my husband surprised me with a Cricut.
What started as a simple hobby quickly became a way to spread joy. I began making handmade greeting cards and mailing them to people who might need a smile. From there, I created cake toppers, banners, and small décor pieces for my neighbors’ children to help make their special days feel extra meaningful.
With encouragement from my neighbors and family, I realized this was more than just a hobby—it was something worth pursuing. That’s when CraftyNellieKC was born.
Around the same time, my granddaughter arrived, and I had the privilege of helping care for her while my daughter attended nursing school. Watching my daughter chase her education as a young mom filled me with immense pride. As my granddaughter grew, I noticed her always wanting to be part of the creative process—watching, touching, and “helping” whenever she could.
That curiosity sealed it for me. I wanted her to grow up knowing she can create, dream, and build something of her own. My business became a reflection of that belief. And the name? CraftyNellieKC comes from the sweetest inspiration of all—my granddaughter’s name for me: “Nellie.”
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What does a typical day look like for you as a mom and business owner?
Because I run my business out of my home, I rely heavily on a good old-fashioned paper calendar to keep everything organized. I also help raise my granddaughter while my daughter works as an ER nurse, so her schedule plays a big role in how my days unfold. Based on that, I plan when I can spend focused time in my craft room.
When I have multiple workdays in a row, I try to be very intentional. I’ll divide them into design days, cut-and-assemble days, and days dedicated to social media planning and scheduling. That rhythm helps me stay creative without feeling overwhelmed.
I also do my best to end my workday around 5 p.m. It’s important to me to step away from the business and be present—helping with dinner, evening routines, and family time. Balancing both worlds isn’t always perfect, but it’s a balance I continue to work at.
What’s been the most rewarding part of running your business?
Watching my granddaughter become so incredibly proud of it.
She loves seeing what I’m creating and hearing what customers choose for their special days. She always wants to “help.” Recently, I let her assist with gifts for her kindergarten class at Christmas. She carefully chose specific colors to match each person’s favorite — taking that role very seriously.
When it was time for her to give each student their gift, her teacher captured photos and videos, and you could see the pride on her face. Pride in something she helped create.
That moment? That’s bigger than any order, any sale, any milestone.
What challenges have you faced balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship?
Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship hasn’t been easy. My biggest challenge is saying no. Creating custom pieces for people’s special moments often leads to late nights because I want every item to feel meaningful and personal.
What makes it worth it is seeing someone’s reaction when they receive the finished piece — that joy outweighs the stress. As my business has grown, I’ve learned the importance of structure and boundaries, creating systems to track orders so I don’t overbook myself. It’s an ongoing balance of protecting my time while still creating with heart.
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What advice would you give to other moms thinking about starting a business?
I think it is important to understand your "why" for starting a business. In theory, it may seem like a cool dream, but it definitely takes discipline, consistency. I have realized it can feel lonely when others may not understand why so much time is devoted to specific aspects of your business, but you find your people and they will support you.
How do you and your family like to spend time together when you're not working?
As a mom of two adult children, I do my best to plan time to see them as their lives are busy as they are also making their own routines and memories within their own family. We also get the privilege of spending time with our granddaughter multiple times a week and love that time of being present without a time constraint. (The best life is grandparent life!) My husband and I love to travel and have instilled that in our children and love for opportunities to make memories. We are currently on the quest of visiting all 50 states before we turn 50.
Follow Janel's journey and learn more about CraftyNellieKC:
💼 CraftyNellieKC
📍 Location: Grain Valley, MO
📧 Contact: craftynelliekc@gmail.com
📸 Instagram: @CraftyNellieKC
👍 Facebook: @CraftyNellieKC
In celebrating Janel's journey, we find a story of resilience, creativity, and family. Her commitment to balancing her roles as a mother, entrepreneur, and grandmother is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Through CraftyNellieKC, Janel not only crafts beautiful decorations but also weaves a tapestry of love and inspiration for her family and community. Her story encourages us all to pursue our dreams, embrace challenges, and cherish the moments that truly matter.
Do you know a mom who deserves the spotlight (maybe even yourself)?
Nominate her for our next feature by emailing brittanym@macaronikid.com or by filling out this form!
