INSTRUCTOR PROFILE

ABOUT MAY

When it comes to crafting, May Flaum has one rule: it's gotta make her happy. She's not afraid to get super grungy or work with bright colors, dabble in lace and doilies then make something more splattered and wild. If she's not in her studio (aka 'the bat cave') then she's probably out running around having fun with her family or cooking up a storm. May has been working in the scrapbooking industry for a decade and currently blogs her crafty adventures, teaches online classes, and works with amazing companies sharing her projects and ideas. She released a new eBook Fashionably Fast with Big Picture Classes that includes 20 layouts and three bonus video tutorials. If she has one piece of advice to share, it's always to be true to your creative heart.

CONNECT WITH MAY

FAVORITE QUOTE

"Do or do not. There is no try."

—YODA

MAY ANSWERS THE FIVE W's

Who are you?

I am a wife, mother, crafter, blogger, instructor, author, book-loving, tea-drinking, messy woman.

What do you believe with all of your heart?

That you should craft happy. I don't mean that you need to only scrapbook the happy stuff or avoid painful topics. I just mean, however you craft and whatever you create should be done in a way that makes you happy to be spending time making something homemade. There isn't a wrong way, there aren't strict rules; there simply is happy crafting.

When did you know that this was your path?

After my daughter was born and I decided to go freelance I was told I would never make it in the scrapbooking industry, that I'd never be published or work with any manufacturers, and that blogging was ridiculous. I felt something click inside me as I was being put down and discouraged, and I just knew I was going to do my crafty thing and see where the path led me.

Where is your favorite place on earth?

With my family, having excellent adventures.

Why do you love your life?

Life is what you make it, and I work hard. I believe I am truly blessed, but I also know that because I am always looking for the thing to be grateful for, the reason to smile, and the detail that will make me laugh, my life seems even happier.

How do you do everything you do?

I employ a small army of pixies, have mason jars with genies in them, and have a staff of 20. Or at least, I wish I did! Truthfully, people all have the same 24 hours in the day. It is a matter of how you use that time, and what you make a priority. Going on unnecessary errands and surfing the internet, not to mention heavy TV watching, take up a lot more time than people realize. Make the time count!