Today we’d like to introduce you to Layla Crehan.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Layla Crehan, I am 21 years old and I have Autism. One of the things that comes with my Autism is Severe Anxiety. When I was little my mom had me do a lot of crafting, drawing and painting to keep me busy. Quickly she realized that it was very soothing to my anxiety and I would often request to work on something when I was feeling stressed. Over time I taught myself to paint with watercolors and acrylics and really gained a passion for expressing myself through my art. I love to sculpt, draw, paint, wood-burn and to do beadwork. My grandmother taught me to bead and now I make jewelry and bead on totes and wristlets, make wine glass charms and design everything myself. I started my Facebook store, Dancing Red Panda, when I was five years old and have been doing vendor events ever since.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not always been easy. The world can be a very dark, lonely place, especially when you see you as less than them or different in all the wrong ways. But when I am creating I feel like I can add a little beauty to the world. Creating my own light and sharing it with the world is so very important to me. I also feel it’s so important to keep your head up, stand tall and set a good example for younger girls who are on the spectrum. I advocate for myself and try to inspire them to be themselves and be proud of who they are and that they have something very special to share with the world. I would love to think my story could help someone else feel empowered to find their passion and their purpose and run with it!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love to paint! But at Dancing Red Panda I have something for everyone! I make hand drawn and hand painted frameable 5 x 7 greeting cards, bookmarks, keychains and paintings. I also draw, wood burn and paint wood canvases and magnets. I hand bead earrings, wine glass charms, coin purses, wristlets and totes. I make my own stuffed animals from socks called, Sock Buddies. (They’re all pandas!) I make ornaments for Christmas trees and even rings and necklaces for children!
I’m most proud of the fact that I often donate my paintings to organizations who raise funds for the special needs community. I donate 8 paintings a year to benefit Special Olympics athletes to help give back what they have given to me. And I am also proud that I have not had an art teacher, but I push myself out of my comfort zone to try to learn new techniques for my painting. The biggest painting I’ve done so far is 3 feet by 4 feet!
What I think sets me apart from others is that all of my products are customizable. I have created wood burned magnets with team logos on them for a soccer team. I have made beaded wine glasses charms of a woman’s four dogs from photos. I take commissions and custom orders very seriously and enjoy the challenge!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
When I first started out I felt very insecure about my work. If I was making it for the store, I was afraid no one would want it. If I made something special and it didn’t sell, I let it hurt my feelings and that would affect my work. Don’t do that! Create from your heart! Not everything is for everyone. Don’t let anything dim your light, including you! Be strong, believe in yourself and be kind to yourself! You’re worth it!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancingredpandaartbylayla/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dancingredpanda
