Crafting Community: The Creative Journey of Gabriella Castro and Craft & Yap ATX

If you’re looking for a way to unleash your inner artist, look no further than Craft & Yap ATX! Founded by the dynamic Gabriella Castro, Craft & Yap ATX hosts monthly, beginner-friendly craft events in Austin that are perfect for everyone—beginners and seasoned creatives alike. Anyone looking for a fun, low-pressure experience is encouraged to join. Hosted at various community spaces and with a rotating lineup of imaginative projects, each event provides guided instruction, materials, and its trademark relaxed atmosphere. Popular events include charm bar jewelry making, book charms & literary crafts, painted planters & seasonal DIYs, and much more. This meetup has become a place where art, music, and community can all come together seamlessly.

Gabriella's creativity is deeply ingrained in her upbringing. Growing up in the bustling heart of downtown Chicago, she found boundless inspiration in her surroundings. The city served as a playground for Gabriella and her siblings; from climbing on giant public sculptures to exploring colorful neighborhoods and imaginative stores, every corner of the city sparked her curiosity. Being surrounded by art, culture, and people from all walks of life from a young age shaped her open-minded and imaginative approach to life. Those early experiences taught her to remain curious, expressive, and connected, viewing creativity as something that brings meaning and joy to everyday life. As she grew older, art also became a means for her to process emotions and find grounding in difficult moments. 

In addition to her environment, Gabriella was influenced by her many role models. Her dad inspired her greatly with his bold outlook on life. As an immigrant, he built a career from the ground up, helped countless people in his community, and instilled in her the value of resilience, curiosity, and learning from the world through travel and experience. Her sister, another major influence, was incredibly creative and crafty; and though she is no longer here, her influence is still very present in Gabriella’s life. She shared, “I often channel her spirit when I’m creating and working through new ideas.” Gabriella was also shaped by teachers and professors who believed in her, encouraged her creativity, and took the time to support her when she struggled early on. Additionally, she has always been inspired by artists who use their work to tell powerful stories, heal, and navigate life’s hardest moments. However, her biggest role model has always been her mom, a dedicated nurse and community advocate. “She’s incredibly talented, smart, hardworking, and truly an earth angel—constantly giving back to others, especially through her work as a nurse and her involvement in community causes and animal rescue. She’s been my biggest supporter and cheerleader in everything I’ve ever done, and she showed me what strength, compassion, and leadership look like.”

As for Craft & Yap ATX, it all started with the Cupid Project, a heartwarming community initiative that invites people across the U.S. to participate in creating handmade Valentine’s cards for seniors in nursing homes to spread love and connection. “It was a cause that touched my heart and inspired me to take action…We’re now partnering again this year with the same nursing home that supports both assisted living and memory care residents, which makes it even more special and full circle.” At the time, Gabriella opened it up to both her friends and the public as a volunteer craft event, and seeing everyone come together to make something meaningful was a powerful moment for her. What started as a simple idea to bring people together through creativity became a pivotal moment that set her on the path to her passion project. That first event quickly evolved into a larger community space for people to connect and create. 

Gabriella’s journey has taken her far and wide—from Boston to Austin and through a variety of careers, ranging from art and teaching to hospitality, sales, insurance, and eventually landing in account management in SEO and digital marketing. Growing up surrounded by all of this creativity led her to study visual design and fine art at Massasoit Community College in Massachusetts, where she pursued visual design and fell in love with painting. One of her biggest “ah-ha” moments came around that time when she took a short break from school and organized a fundraiser that turned into a full art and fashion show, raising money for service dogs and to help bring war dogs home from Afghanistan and Iraq—dogs that U.S. soldiers had befriended overseas. “That experience showed me how powerful creativity and community can be when they come together.” Soon after, her mother asked her to help raise funds for a child who needed a service dog. To her own surprise, Gabriella then quickly established a company called Karma Flows. She reached out to venues, sponsors, models, and fashion designers, transforming the fundraiser into a fashion show. They brought together artists showcasing fashion, jewelry, and shoes, in addition to hairstylists, models, photographers, hula hoop performers, and a DJ. Gabriella designed the event pamphlet, sold sponsorship placements, organized merchandise, and raised enough money for the child to receive their service dog. The artists involved gained exposure and collaborated afterward, while Gabriella emerged from it transformed for the better. 

Fueled by this experience, she knew she wanted to keep creating and returned to school, this time at the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University. There, her practice evolved into mixed media, including painting, projection mapping, installation, sound, welding, ceramics, woodworking, and performance art. During this time, she also had the chance to study in Venice, Italy, during the Venice Biennale, learning from professors whose work existed alongside contemporary legends. Following her studies, she made the move to Austin, Texas, ready to explore creativity through a new perspective.

In addition to her scholastic and artistic endeavors, Gabriella spent about fifteen years in the service industry, starting at sixteen and continuing into her early thirties, across multiple cities and stages of life. This experience shaped her identity just as much as art school did, teaching her attention to detail, the beauty of food and culture, empathy, resilience, and how to multitask while creating meaningful experiences for people. “Service work is about connection, care, and showing up fully—skills I carry into everything I do today.” From there, she was able to blend creativity with tech and marketing, earning a UX/UI certificate from The University of Texas at Austin. She transitioned into tech sales, earned her P&C insurance license, and eventually moved into digital account management, where she supports small businesses while still using her creative skills daily. “My proudest moment has been bringing all of those experiences together through Craft & Yap ATX—building a creative community rooted in connection, joy, and giving back.”

One of the biggest challenges she faced initially was navigating the business and logistics aspects—figuring out where to host events, how to approach venues, and how to negotiate partnerships. Not having a business background, there was a significant learning curve early on. But leaning into her community and remaining open to learning helped her overcome these challenges. “I’ve met so many incredible women business owners who have shared advice, guidance, and encouragement along the way—from how to pitch collaborations to how to structure events. Their support made such a difference and reminded me that you don’t have to figure everything out alone.”

Conversely, Gabriella considers one of her biggest accomplishments to be the community work they’ve built through Craft & Yap ATX. What began with creating Valentine’s cards for seniors in nursing homes has continued to grow; since then, they’ve hosted donation drives and partnered with local organizations like Caritas of Austin to give back. “Giving back has always been at the heart of what I do.” However, she says every event feels like an accomplishment. “Seeing people meet new friends, create together, and leave feeling happy and connected gives me that warm, fuzzy feeling every time. It truly feels like my purpose is to bring people together and build community through creativity.” Reflecting on their success thus far, Gabriella credits one of her most crucial decisions as the choice to start before everything felt perfect. Instead of waiting for more time, money, or confidence, she trusted her vision and began building Craft & Yap ATX with what she had then. Showing up consistently, even when it felt uncomfortable or scary, paved the way for growth. She also considers staying open to learning, experimenting, and evolving as having been essential.

Asked what advice she would give to other women aspiring to follow a similar path, Gabriella had several pearls of wisdom to share with us. Her first and biggest piece of advice was to keep going, even on the hard days when you may be questioning why you started. “That’s actually a great question to ask yourself, because once you understand your 'why,' you can move forward with so much more purpose and confidence,” she said. She also emphasized the importance of leaning into community. “It will feel awkward at first, especially posting content or being visible online, but when you’re authentically yourself, the right energy and people will naturally find you.” And if you don’t see one, build it; but also participate in existing communities by collaborating, showing up to events, meeting your neighbors, and not being afraid to put yourself out there. Gabriella further advised being intentional with opportunities, explaining that not everything has to be a yes. “The more selective you are, the more aligned your brand and path become — and that’s what attracts the right connections.” Lastly, she recommended protecting yourself as well by having a support system, taking breaks, and making time for rest. “Growth is important, but so is taking care of you.”

But between work, passion projects, and life, how does one juggle it all? For her, balancing personal life and professional ambition comes down to being intentional with her time and energy. Journaling and writing things down help her stay organized, clear-headed, and grounded—it’s where she processes her goals, ideas, and emotions all in one place. However, just as important is the lesson she’s learned on the importance of play, taking breaks, and truly resting. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that rest isn’t a reward—it’s a necessity for creativity, focus, and sustainability. The more I protect my energy, manage my habits, and prioritize what truly matters, the more balanced and productive I become. Time management, self-awareness, and listening to when my body needs a pause have been the biggest strategies that keep me growing without burning out.”

These philosophies are reflected in her life and personal mantras: "Gratitude before coffee" and "No one is you, and that is your power." Gabriella practices gratitude daily. She believes it’s essential to step back and appreciate the bigger, beautiful picture of your life, rather than getting wrapped up in the details. Being thankful for each day, cherishing small moments, and recognizing that everyone is on their own unique journey helps her stay present, motivated, and kind. "It’s so easy to compare and become discouraged, but no one has your life experiences, your perspective, or your spark in this world. That uniqueness alone makes you absolutely special, one of a kind, and worthy."

What’s next for this Renaissance woman? Well, what’s not? The queen of trying new experiences, Gabriella even makes monthly bingo cards for herself filled with new crafts, adventures, and personal goals—believing growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. For Craft & Yap, she’s excited to keep expanding with more events, collaborations, and larger charm bar pop-ups and brand activations. Her dream is to bring these creative experiences to other cities, and eventually internationally, while continuing to fine-tune what they offer and build a small team. She also looks forward to releasing a dream journal that’s been in the works since 2024, along with creative kits and products that let people bring the Craft & Yap experience home. And at the core of everything is community—growing their charity events, giving back more, and continuing to create spaces and events where people feel inspired, connected, and supported.

And where does her motivation to do it all come from? Being intentional with her mindset, habits, and the people she surrounds herself with. “The words I speak to myself matter, rest is just as important as hard work, and having a supportive community keeps me grounded and inspired. Shout out mom and dad, my partner Felipe, and my amazing circle of besties for their constant support and for always showing up through the highs and lows.” Furthermore, she believes that growth comes from staying curious, exploring new art, traveling, learning new concepts, and constantly exposing herself to fresh ideas. Ultimately, she has learned that motivation isn’t just a feeling; it’s built through daily actions, healthy routines, and choosing environments that help you evolve.

So, if you're in Austin and in the mood to connect, craft, and create, join Gabriella at Craft & Yap ATX! Visit their website to learn more, find out about their upcoming events, and get in contact.