“I Can Make That” - Confessions of an Unstoppable DIYer

Confessions of a Creative

Jan 13

Written By Holly Nejedly

“I Can Make That”

Confessions of an Unstoppable DIYer

CONFESSIONS OF A CREATIVE | Episode #2

Creativity weaves its way through everything I do — from the way I arrange food on a plate to the brand identities I design. I see life as a canvas, always ready to be reimagined, repainted, and evolved into something beautiful. It keeps the door wide open for ideas, thoughts, and inspiration to flow freely. And having the ability to see something in a new light and bring it to life is both empowering and humbling — a constant reminder of the magic in creating. But let’s be honest — creation isn’t always graceful.

CONFESSION #1

🤫

CONFESSION #1 🤫

The “I can make that” mentality often leads me down long, winding paths of trial and error, late nights, and a healthy dose of frustration. It can be exhausting, and sometimes even lead to burnout. But every single time, it serves its purpose — sharpening my skills, expanding my perspective, and tightening up that learning curve just a little more.

That “I can make that” mentality isn’t just an idea — it’s backed by a whole lot of sawdust, paint splatter, and power tools. I’m a capable, confident DIY-er who isn’t afraid to get my hands dirty (or slightly terrified before trying something new). Over the years, I’ve used just about every tool you can think of — drills, saws, nail guns, sanders — and yes, even a MIG welder for an art project back in college. If it plugs in, sparks, spins, or makes loud noises, there’s a solid chance I’ve tried it. I genuinely love learning how things are built, figuring out how they work, and then jumping in headfirst to make my own version — usually bigger, more detailed, and slightly more ambitious than originally planned.

CONFESSION #2

🤫

CONFESSION #2 🤫

The one thing I will never attempt (or even think about) is electrical work. A house fire is my biggest fear, and honestly, I like my eyebrows exactly where they are, thank you very much.

Aside from anything electrical, that ambition has led to many kinds of DIY projects over the years — the kind where one idea snowballs into ten more. Just to name a few:

Outdoor Projects: custom built gardening cabinet, raised garden beds, full landscaping projects (demo, design, and planting), planters, plant stands, and a paver patio
Home Projects: kitchen cabinet resurfacing, custom built TV stand, shelving, flooring, wall murals, and many furniture repurposing projects
Organization Systems: family command center, a mudroom setup, desktop planners, and custom organizers
Craft Projects: dreamcatchers, all kinds of décor, a Lego table, a Barbie house, and even a homemade pegboard — yes, I drilled hundreds of tiny holes by hand to organize my craft supplies
Birthday Party Projects: cakes, invitations, décor, backdrops, and party favors — including the year I sewed 25 monster stuffies for my son’s second birthday

CONFESSION #3

🤫

CONFESSION #3 🤫

I once spent hours designing, printing, cutting, and hole-punching my own date planner… because apparently buying one would have been far too simple. You can call it over the top, detail-obsessed, or just creatively unhinged — honestly, all are accurate.

Which brings me to one of my favorite DIY projects: The House of Barbie. When my daughter turned five and asked for a “big Barbie house,” I knew exactly what was coming. I started by researching what was out there — tiny, overpriced, cheaply made versions that didn’t quite match the vision in my head (or hers). So, naturally, I went all in. I planned, sketched, and built the most elaborate Barbie house my childhood self could have only dreamed about. I painted, stained, and gold-leafed pieces; measured, sawed, and glued custom furniture; sewed, stuffed, and cut fabric elements; reimagined tiny found objects; and gave thrifted pieces new life with a little flair. It took countless hours, a lot of patience, and a whole lot of heart — but the result was a one-of-a-kind gift made just for her, something she can someday share with her own daughter.

CONFESSION #4

🤫

CONFESSION #4 🤫

In the week leading up to her birthday, I slept less than the average person works in a day — and on birthday eve, I may have cried over a malfunctioning glue gun.

At the end of the day, this mentality may be messy, time-consuming, and occasionally exhausting — but it’s also deeply fulfilling. It pushes me to grow, to learn, and to keep creating even when the easier option would be to buy instead of build.

Because in the end, creativity isn’t what I do. It’s who I am.