Check Out Shelly Rodocker’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelly Rodocker.

Hi Shelly, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
From very early on my grandmother Laverne raised me in the deep country of Arkansas. She was an artist and always drew, painted, and created so I grew up visiting the Galleries in Hot Springs and I found a passion to be creative myself. After battling Breast cancer, my grandmother passed away when I was 15 years old. I remember throughout school I never went anywhere without my sketchbook and pencils because it gave me a way to escape and go to my happy place. Fast forward many many years of life’s trials, moving to different states and then living in Oklahoma. I had an extremely bad run-in with COVID in 2020 that caused a ton of health problems. I realized I was no longer doing what I loved so long ago and just trying to survive. I decided to change that and started out putting my creativity into making crafts, photography, and painting, then on to making jewelry. In the process, I started dating a wonderful man Brian Ledford that has been supportive and encouraging of my creative goals and understanding of my ongoing medical limitations and issues.

We recently got engaged so I guess you can say, He’s what actually brought me to the Nashville area that I’m loving. Together we started Creative BS so I could start following my dreams again. Currently, I’m creating custom leather and beaded jewelry and crafts for gifts to friends, and family, online, doing craft shows and selling at Brian’s shop in Hermitage, TN called Picture This Creative Framing.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh, unfortunately absolutely nothing about my journey has been smooth. From failed relationships early on and forgetting what my dreams were, to my most recent struggles with my health. After COVID I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis (MG) a Neuromuscular disease without a cure that causes severe muscle weakness and affects my vision, facial muscles, breathing, swallowing, walking, standing, using arms and hands along with other things that happen random times without warning.

A few major surgeries later, add a ton of doctor appointments and I receive IVIG infusions every month. I really never know each day how I’m going to feel and if I’m going to be functional at all. However, I haven’t given up and found that by having to reinvent myself to what is now my new normal with limitations and the support of great family and friends in my life I’m happy just being able to create again and go at my own pace and I just love hearing how my works of art find their way to their new owners and homes to make them Smile!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
While Creative BS is a very new small business and will be adding new ideas often and is open to suggestions and custom orders. I started with making Genuine Leather and Beaded Earrings and have ventured on to Necklaces, Bracelets, rings, ornaments, and other crafts. I have been told Creative BS has a rustic southwestern casual feel, a little boho chic, some faith-based flare, and dressy statement pieces to add to anyone’s collection at affordable price points.

I handmake everything myself with only a few signature pieces that are genuine leather that I re-create and the rest are unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that you won’t be seeing others wearing. I’m most proud of not giving up and doing what makes me happy and calm and I can’t wait to see what the future holds and how I can create new things others will enjoy.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I’m still really New to the Nashville area to have any dislikes other than the traffic, of course, it’s definitely a lot more overwhelming compared to where I grew up.

As for what I like Best, so far I have to say the people I have crossed paths with and gotten to know to make me want to learn and grow Creative BS in Nashville. It’s such a supportive city for Creative people from every walk of life and that encourages me to strive to be a better me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @creative__bs
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083397161744&mibextid=ZbWKwL

Image Credits
Brian Ledford