Today we’d like to introduce you to Shilpi Verma.
Hi Shilpi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Last year, I was running a preschool, and every day I observed something magical. Children would walk into class carrying their little worries, moods, distractions, or endless energy but the moment art and craft time began, something changed.
They forgot everything.
The room transformed. Tiny hands reached for colors, scissors, glue, paint, and paper with complete excitement. Time seemed to disappear for them. I watched children who were usually restless sit patiently for long periods. I saw shy kids express themselves without words. I saw curious little minds become completely absorbed in creating.
And then I started experimenting.
I tried lots of different activities and creative ideas with them. Some were simple, some messy, and some felt completely new. Every time I wondered, Will they enjoy this? Will this work? …they amazed me.
Again and again.
They amazed me with their patience. Their ability to learn. Their imagination. Their focus. Their creativity.
And most of all, they amazed me with the joy they felt while creating.
Watching them sparked something deep inside me.
I realized that this was much bigger than just keeping children busy with crafts. Art was helping them grow. It was helping them think, explore, express, and become more confident in themselves.
At that moment, another thought quietly entered my heart:
I have learned so much throughout my journey in India. I have practiced and explored arts for the past 13 years. What if I bring everything I’ve learned and use it to serve these beautiful children?
That tiny spark slowly became a vision.
Not just art classes.
Not just craft sessions.
But a space where children could create freely, imagine fearlessly, learn joyfully, and discover the artist inside themselves.
And from that spark, Creative Hearts Kids Arts & Crafts was born.
Because every child carries creativity inside their heart.
Sometimes they just need a place where it can shine.
I started small.
One idea. One child at a time. One creative session at a time.
And step by step, that little spark grew into something beautiful. Today, Creative Hearts has children and families joining us from Everett, Arlington, Lake Stevens, and Marysville. What started as an idea in my heart became a growing creative community.
Over time, we explored and experimented with more than 70 forms of arts and crafts in our studio — always with one purpose: to spark curiosity, creativity, confidence, and joy in every child who walks through our doors.
That was the day my dream became a living reality.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Like any journey built from the heart, there were challenges along the way. In the beginning, Creative Hearts actually started as a partnership. We had a shared vision and excitement about creating something meaningful for children.
But as the journey unfolded, one of my partners decided to step away. I still remember that period because it was one of the most difficult moments for me. There was a point where I seriously questioned myself and wondered, Should I stop here? Should I let go of this idea, or should I continue forward?
Starting something from scratch already comes with uncertainty, and suddenly carrying the vision alone felt overwhelming. There were doubts, fears, and moments where I wasn’t sure what the next step would look like.
But during that time, my family became my biggest strength. Their support, encouragement, and belief in me helped me stand back up when I felt uncertain. More importantly, I kept coming back to the reason I started the children.
I remembered the joy I had seen during art sessions, the creativity I witnessed, and the spark that had first inspired me. Instead of walking away, I chose to stay aligned with my vision and trust the process.
Looking back today, I realize those struggles weren’t roadblocks they were moments that tested how strongly I believed in my purpose. And I’m grateful I kept going, because every child who walks into Creative Hearts reminds me that the vision was worth believing in.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Creative Hearts Kids Arts & Crafts is more than an art studio it’s a creative space where children can explore, imagine, express themselves, and build confidence through art. Our mission is rooted in a simple belief: hearts become creative and creativity heals hearts.
The inspiration behind Creative Hearts came from my experience running a preschool, where I noticed something extraordinary. During art and craft sessions, children would completely forget their distractions and become deeply engaged in creating. I watched them surprise me with their patience, imagination, creativity, and joy. That experience sparked a vision—to create a space where children could experience creativity not just as an activity, but as a journey of self-expression and growth.
What makes Creative Hearts different is that we focus on the process of creating, not just the final product. We want children to experiment, think independently, and discover their own unique creativity. Over time, we have explored and introduced more than 70 forms of arts and crafts in our studio to spark curiosity and keep children excited about learning through hands-on experiences.
Drawing from over 13 years of art practice and creative learning from India, I bring together traditional techniques, diverse art forms, and playful experimentation to create meaningful experiences for children.
We proudly offer art experiences for children ages 3 to 13 years old, creating age-appropriate programs that nurture creativity at every stage. Whether it’s introducing younger children to sensory and process-based art or helping older children develop stronger artistic techniques and self-expression, our goal is to meet children where they are and help their creativity flourish.
Our programs are designed as exciting, creativity-packed adventures where kids embark on hands-on projects inspired by history, world cultures, imagination, and fantasy. Every session becomes a journey. One day children may be painting like prehistoric artists, another day they may be creating scenes from their favorite fairy tales, exploring the mysteries of ancient Egypt, or designing whimsical fantasy maps.
Young artists also discover projects inspired by famous artists and rich traditions from around the world. They explore Indian folk art forms like Madhubani, Mandalas, and Warli, while also enjoying playful experiences like colorful tie-dye projects and mixed-media experimentation.
Beyond crafts, we focus on developing strong artistic foundations through Perspective, Observational Drawing, Painting, Color Theory, Still Life, Self-Portraits, and Sculpture. We believe art can be both meaningful and fun a place where learning and imagination grow together.
Today, we are proud to have children and families joining us from Everett, Arlington, Lake Stevens, and Marysville. What began as a small idea has grown into a creative community.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the impact we create beyond art itself. We’re not simply teaching children how to paint or craft we’re creating a place where they feel seen, confident, patient, curious, and inspired.
I want people to know that Creative Hearts isn’t just a studio. It’s a place where children discover joy, build confidence, express themselves freely, and experience the magic of creating something with their own hands.”
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
One of the biggest risks I took was with Creative Hearts itself. In the beginning, we started as a partnership with a shared vision of creating something meaningful for children. But early in the journey, one of my partners decided to step away. That became a defining moment for me.
I remember questioning myself and wondering, Should I stop here? Should I let go of this idea, or continue forward? Starting something from scratch already comes with uncertainty, and suddenly carrying the vision on my own felt overwhelming.
There were fear and doubt, because building a business isn’t only about creativity—it also involves responsibility, finances, decisions, and believing in something before you can fully see the outcome.
But with the support of my family, I chose to stay aligned with my vision instead of giving up. I kept thinking about the children I had worked with in preschool the joy, focus, and confidence I saw during art sessions, and I knew I couldn’t walk away from that purpose.
Beyond the partnership challenge, there were many other risks too financially investing in something new, building trust in the community, introducing a different style of creative learning, and stepping into uncertainty without knowing exactly how things would unfold. But I learned that every stage of growth comes with risk. For me, the question became less about ‘What if it fails?’ and more about ‘What if I never give this vision a chance?
Pricing:
- single session -$25
- 4 sessions per month -$85
- 8 sessions per month-$150
- all supply included
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thecreative-hearts.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativeheartsmarysville?igsh=OXo2eXd1MTZuMmVl&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574553093609
