Gray Hat Creations

Gray Hat Creations I help make stories, events or memories into tangible keepsakes to hold close at heart.

Two things that have always fascinated me: watching people create projects that require hands-on, time-tested skills and listening to the stories people tell.

According to an email I received, today is . I did not know this existed, but it’s on my calendar now! If you’ve follow...
06/01/2026

According to an email I received, today is . I did not know this existed, but it’s on my calendar now!

If you’ve followed me for a long time, you’ve seen in my jewelry making videos that I like my nail polish and nail strips. I use it to put color in my day, but also to protect my nails from damage while I work. 2-3 coats of polish have saved my nails from saw blades, files, sand paper, rotary tools, cleaning solutions and so much more.

And to all my friends out there who are or have been nail technicians or just do their own for fun, you are insanely skilled with those tiny brushes. This was my first attempt - trying to just do some dotted lilacs – and I am awed by how you make the polish move.

05/29/2026

My oldest is graduating, so i stepped away from the jewelry studio this week to clean and prep for celebrating. (As stated on Phineas and Ferb as they shoveled the driveway, “It can’t all be fun.”)

But we can make it amusing. I do use the wagon, it’s the perfect size to haul things but limit the load size. And, meet Mike Wysowski the power washer. :)

Next Thursday I’ll be showing my work alongside other area businesses at Prospera Credit Union. Come to the Ballard Rd location between 5 and 7, if you’re in the area. I’d love to say hi to you!!

05/22/2026

My iron has been used for many craft projects over the years before becoming a permanent fixture in my studio. It’s worked with t-shirt transfers, t-shirt vinyl, melty bead projects, crayons melted to resemble stained glass, leather straightening, and I have no idea what made all those scratches.

I don’t even know if it heats evenly anymore. Yet, now it’s essential tool in my studio transferring images to etch into copper and sterling.

But I’m telling you right now, you do not want to try my iron to smooth shirts. I guarantee you will not like the results.

05/21/2026

Out at Givens Farm Estate tonight! Come out after work, have a bite & relax to live music. Vendors are here until 7:00.

Most of the time I get to work on whimsical, magical works that make me smile. But sometimes, there’s a piece that it re...
05/18/2026

Most of the time I get to work on whimsical, magical works that make me smile. But sometimes, there’s a piece that it really plucks a heartstring.

This week I’m working on a pendant that celebrates our beloved studio cats. We lost both of them in 2025, and miss them very much.

It's coming! Next week, the Givens Family Markets begin again, and I'll be there - will you come say "hi" and enjoy a la...
05/14/2026

It's coming! Next week, the Givens Family Markets begin again, and I'll be there - will you come say "hi" and enjoy a laid-back walk through farm and naturescape?

Thursday, May 21st at Givens Farm Estate

05/12/2026

A little jewelry anatomy lesson today. The top part that you put a cord or chain through is called a bail. They can be really fance and ornate, or simple and functional.

No matter what, they're usually small!!!

05/08/2026

This first week of May is Small Business Week, so I thought I’d re-introduce myself and my tiny business.

Hi, I’m Candi, owner & artist of Gray Hat Creations.

I create keepsakes based on events, memories, or favorite nouns like places, pets, people, gemstones or elements in nature - all sorts of stuff.

I also run this social stream, which tends to include the mischief and mess behind the scenes in my studio workshop, along with some inspiration and as few typos as I can manage.

I am married to the love of my life, we have two amazing kiddos, two treat-loving dogs (sadly, we lost studio cat last fall), and a snake plant named “Fern”.

Throughout the year, I can be found at various fairs and shows listed on my website (check the about tab/link in bio), so you can see some of the pieces for yourself. I’ll post those here as they each get closer, just in case you want to step out into the sunshine.

I also devote time to being the Co-Founder & President of Makers Together, a non-profit helping other artisans learn how to set up and build their own creative businesses. You can check out the non-profit to learn more.

One day I'd like a drawer that’s just full of stencils. All shapes and sizes of geometric objects that I can use as a ba...
05/05/2026

One day I'd like a drawer that’s just full of stencils. All shapes and sizes of geometric objects that I can use as a backdrop for my designs.

See, I CANNOT make a circle or rectangle worth keeping for even the most rough drafts. Circles look like rocks, rectangles look like picture frames that may have hit the ground a time or two.

But with stencils, I can draw a piece at the size I want to create in metal. So I can think about whether the design would look good smaller or whether anything could be added.

Or, when I’m brain fried, I can just doodle without thinking too hard. :)

05/02/2026

Have you ever started working on a basic thing you use all the time, do just enough to get your current project done, and then forget to finish that basic thing to have it ready for next time? 😫

I absolutely KNEW I had more jump rings, but couldn’t find them anywhere. Then I found the coil of wire I hadn’t finished cutting. I just made enough rings for the piece I was on at the time, and left it.

Luckily, it doesn’t take long to saw through, so I finished the job. Could have been done already, but - YAY! JUMP RINGS!

Now, onward and upward.

Address

800 Wisconsin Street & Galloway
Eau Claire, WI
54703

Website

https://www.score.org/northeastwisconsin/resource/podcast/biztalk-business-side-creativit

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