Meet Kristin Roadhouse | Compulsive Crafter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristin Roadhouse and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristin, what inspires you?
That’s such a tough question! So many things inspire me! I would say animals and nature are my biggest sources of inspiration, but I also find a lot of creative fuel in video games. I love the coexistence of beautiful graphics and unique twists on realism. For example, the adorable cartoon-style characters of Boomerang Fu, classic icons like Super Mario Bros., or the breathtaking landscapes of Hyrule in Zelda have all influenced my art. I love the idea of playing an enjoyable game and then crafting an item that reminds me of that experience.

I also love trying new things and experimenting with different craft mediums. Visiting local vendor markets or artisan shops always sparks new ideas. My best friend, Jayna, sent me a bucket-list calendar for Christmas last year, and one of the challenges was to make clay magnets. I recently tried modeling clay for the first time and had an absolute blast! I just might be adding that to my lineup in the future.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My day job is as a Vendor Associate at RPM Living, and I absolutely love the company and my team! They prioritize happiness and individuality, truly valuing the importance of work-life balance. Because of this, I have the time and energy to devote myself to my passion projects outside of work.

My ADHD certainly plays a role in my wide variety of creative pursuits! I needle felt, make jewelry, create digital content for social media, plant succulents in beer cans, and do glass etching, among other things. I love creating in any medium and enjoy finding new ways to express myself while making something that brings a smile to someone’s face.

Currently, I sell my work to local shops and individuals, but I’m looking to expand my business further. I have an Etsy shop, though I haven’t curated it yet—something I definitely want to focus on in the future. I’m also participating in an Earth Day event this year in Cedar Park, Texas. It will be my second in-person vendor event, and I’m so excited to showcase my products to new audiences!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Where do I even start? I love discovering new places to eat and explore! Living in Central Austin, I’m a huge fan of the variety Burnet Road has to offer. If I had a friend visiting, that’s definitely where we’d start!

First stop: Dog Day Coffee for a delicious caffeine fix. My go-to order is their “Morning Ralph”—Thai tea and cold brew with oat milk. Next, we’d browse Birdhouse Books, then do some shopping at Okasan, A-Town, and Toy Joy before heading to Pinballz, a BYOB vintage arcade. We’d wrap up the day with Tex-Mex and margaritas at La Mancha.

Beyond Burnet Road, some of my other favorite Austin spots include Peace Park, Upstairs Circus (a DIY workshop + bar), and Peter Pan Mini Golf. I also love thrifting on North Loop, exploring The Crescent shopping center (home to Kinokuniya, Kura Revolving Sushi Bar, 85°C Bakery, and Daiso), and browsing plants at Shoal Creek Nursery.

I’m also a big fan of road trips! My best friend and I used to take weekly road trips to small Texas towns when we first moved here, and I still try to recreate those adventures whenever possible. One of my favorite destinations near Austin is Wimberley, Texas. Whenever I have visitors, I make sure to take them to see Jacob’s Well and Driftwood Winery.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My number one inspiration has always been my mom. From day one, she has taught me to be creative. She’s brilliant, talented, and wonderful! I love seeing the creative things she comes up with, and we even do remote craft days together when our schedules align.

My boyfriend, Greg, is a daily inspiration to me. His intelligence and kind heart feed my soul and he never fails to help me succeed at anything I dream to do. I also drag him along with me on creative endeavors often, and he never fails to make the journey more enjoyable and keeps me laughing through the entire thing. I would not be where I am today without him and I am forever grateful that I met him and feel lucky every day to have him in my life.

As for local inspirations, my friends Jariam Mock and Janelle Taylor are both incredibly inspiring as artists and individuals. Jariam is a gifted portrait photographer with an incredible eye for the perfect shot. She makes each of her clients feel special and heard, and it’s been amazing to watch her grow her business. Janelle is one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met—she is the definition of hustle and heart! She balances raising a beautiful, kind little girl with working two jobs and creating stunning knitted pieces. Her energy and dedication constantly inspire me!

Website: https://roadhousecrafts.etsy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stickinsucculentsatx?igsh=MWNxbDl3ZjdtcjBzbg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-roadhouse-65b344148