Meet Chelsey Rohrer | Photographer & Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chelsey Rohrer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chelsey, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
If you ask my five-year-old Amelia how I have I impacted, her life or in words she would understand why do you love your momma? She will tell you because I make her cereal, kiss her, hug her, read to her, and we play games together. When you ask my eight-year-old Adalinn, she will tell you I give her so much joy and when she needs me, I am there. My 13-year-old Rylinn will tell you I make her happy and she knows I am the best I can be for her and her sisters.

Hearing each of their perspectives on how I have impacted their lives so far, I think they are in mutual agreement that I am a caring, nurturing and present mother in their day to day lives. Over the last couple years, I was forced to become a single parent. To hear my children speak of joy and happiness is enough to feel the heavy impact I have had on their lives so far. Aside from being a nurturing parent I think it is also important to be a good role model, teach them morals, how to stay positive, and ethical decision making.

I think it is important for my children to know I am growing as a person right along with them. I started a photography business about 7 years ago and a creative apparel business called Crafty Blondetourage, LLC with a friend more recently. I hope they learn from me that it is never too late in life to try something new, especially if it is something that brings you joy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I was growing up my Grammy Jane documented our lives by taking pictures and creating photo albums for her grandchildren. I find it enjoyable to be able to look back at moments in my life and I am grateful she did that for us. My journey with photography started in 2016 when I decided to buy my first professional camera. I started out taking pictures of my family and my oldest daughter’s sporting events. Quickly I learned how much I enjoyed capturing these moments. Soon after I made a Facebook photography page and kept getting requests to capture family pictures, senior pictures, and weddings. As the requests came in, I began to think more creatively. At that time, I lived on 5 acres of land, so I went to an auction and bought two baby pygmy goats we named them Poppy and Branch. Families loved to come meet them and take their family spring pictures. I had a request that my goats get dressed up in costume for Halloween and get pictures with a family. That was so much fun! I have also set up sessions at a local tree farm for Christmas, taken pictures with rabbits, ducks, horses, and chickens. What I enjoy most is capturing those memories for people and their families. Whether it is family portraits or weddings, there can be many candid pictures that show purr happiness. I photographed twenty weddings in one year just starting out. That same year I learned I was pregnant with my third daughter and on top of that I had thyroid cancer. Thats when I decided to take a step back from photography. I have had a few clients but haven’t put myself back out there fully as I am learning work life balance.

In 2021 my coworker Mickala Kovacs and I started a creative apparel business called Crafty Blondetourage, LLC. At the time we were both single parents looking to find extra income for our families. After doing some research we decided to start off by just making epoxy tumblers. We started out making tumblers with a handmade tumbler turner made out of cardboard, PVC pipe, and foam footballs that we had to turn by hand every 30 minutes for a few hours. We have since graduated to electric turners and all the supplies we need. We continue to make epoxy, rhinestone, and sublimation tumblers. We create sublimation, vinyl, tie dye and bleached t-shirts. What has set us apart at craft shows is the variety of items we sell. We have an assortment of tumblers made of stainless steel, glass, frosted glass, snow globes and rhinestones. We have key chains, rhinestone pens, and badge reels. We have a variety of sublimated items garden flags, slap koozies, wine glass koozies, t-shirts, and tote bags. We also continue to have custom orders for rhinestone cups. You can find us on Facebook under Crafty Blondetourage, LLC or at craft shows all around Ohio.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
To start the morning off we would go to a cozy little spot called Early Birds Breakfast in St. Louisville. All the locals go there for breakfast, you are lucky if you get a table. They are known to have quick service, delicious breakfast, and the friendliest workers. Downtown Newark has a charming bookstore called Kicks Mix that we would have to visit. Walking into the bookstore you will be greeted by a fluffy cat on the counter and the nicest women working behind it. During any season you can visit Honey Run Waterfall in Howard. It is a beautiful place for a small hiking trip, picnic, photography session, swimming, or to put in your kayak or tube and float down the Kokosing River. For lunch we would go to Bummie’s on Main in Newark. My personal favorite is their burgers and stuffed tator tots. I am all about adventure so we would try out the Escape It Escape Rooms, LLC in Newark. Then we would head to the Buckeye Winery which is also located in downtown Newark. On certain days Buckeye Winery holds different art classes so we would be sure to go for a night where we can explore our creative side. Another winery we would have to visit is Sonny Slope Winery in Big Prairie because they have the best wine slushies. Take my advice, it is worth the drive. Wednesday nights are family nights at the Roll-A-Way Skating Center in Newark. So, I would definitely schedule popping in there during their visit. It is a place I have enjoyed going since I was a young child. To this day my children and I frequent the skating rink for a full night of music, games, and laughter. It is enjoyable and affordable for all ages. For a night out, we would find out where my personal friend and talented vocalist Ashlei Bailey is singing with her band Carr & Cass. You can catch them preforming at Boat Yard in Buckeye Lake, Mill Dam in Hebron, DankHouse Brewing Company in Newark, and Freddie’s Inn in St. Louisville. Ashlei has a way of drawing the audience in with her stunning voice and variety of song choice.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am most grateful for my three children who deserve to be recognized for giving me the drive and focus I need to keep setting and reaching my goals. They play a significant role for me being the person I am today. Many thanks go to my family and close friends. They have been supporting me from the start of both of my businesses by encouraging me, referring my business to others, and supporting me financially by choosing me for my artistic talents. My business partner for Crafty Blondetourage, LLC Mickala Kovacs deserves to be recognized because our business would not be where it is today without her. I sincerely appreciate everything she brings to our partnership. Her talents with Rhinestones do not go unnoticed, she is the best! Lastly, I want to say thank you to the people who stopped at our booth at the craft shows. It has always been a fun experience to connect with different communities and fellow crafters. When out in public it is exciting to see our customers wearing our apparel. I love using my creative talents to design what my customers envision. Again, many thanks go out to my family, friends, and community.

Instagram: Crafty_Blondetouragellc

Facebook: Rohrer Photography,LLC & Crafty Blondetourage