The Hands Behind the Happy Mess

Hi, I’m Amanda!

I’m Amanda Cross, the maker behind Not So Graceful.

I create colorful, layered paper creations, personalized gifts and custom pieces for the people, holidays and everyday moments worth celebrating.

Around here, there’s usually paper on the table, an idea in progress, something sparkly nearby... and probably at least one project that looks a little questionable before it all comes together.

And honestly?

That feels pretty fitting for a business called Not So Graceful.

Why Not So Graceful?

Let’s just say the name is a little more literal than you might think.

I have never exactly been known for being graceful.

In fact, my husband has joked more than once that he needs to wrap me in bubble wrap just to keep me safe.

So when it came time to name this creative little world of mine, Not So Graceful felt pretty appropriate.

But over time, the name has come to mean something more to me.

Because my creativity isn't always graceful either.

There are scraps everywhere. Ideas change halfway through. Pieces get moved around again and again. Sometimes what I imagined in my head looks completely different once I start making it.

And somehow, all those individual pieces eventually become something I love.

That's when I realized:

Creativity doesn’t have to be perfect.

It doesn't have to begin with a perfect plan.

It doesn't have to happen in a perfectly organized craft room.

And you certainly don't have to get everything right the first time.

Sometimes you just start creating and see where it takes you.

A little messy.

A little imperfect.

A little Not So Graceful.

And still pretty wonderful.

I’ve Always Loved Making Things

There’s something about taking individual pieces of paper, color, texture and sparkle and turning them into something that didn't exist before.

I love the layers.

I love the tiny details.

I love figuring out which colors belong together and adding that one last piece that suddenly makes the whole thing feel finished.

And I especially love creating something specifically for another person.

A name.

A favorite color.

An inside joke.

A birthday.

A holiday tradition.

A gift for someone who seems impossible to shop for.

Those little details can turn a pretty creation into something that actually means something.

That’s what I want Not So Graceful to be about.

What You'll Find at Not So Graceful

Handmade Paper Creations

Layered, dimensional designs created one piece at a time, with plenty of attention given to the little details.

Personalized Creations

Names, colors, themes and special touches that turn a handmade piece into something made especially for you.

Birthdays & Celebrations

Colorful creations for birthdays, milestones, parties and all the moments that deserve to feel a little more special.

Seasonal & Holiday Designs

Christmas, Valentine’s Day, fall and other seasonal creations that bring a little handmade personality to your celebrations.

Custom Orders

Have an idea you haven't been able to find anywhere else?

Tell me about it.

Some of my favorite projects begin with:

“Amanda, do you think you could make...?”

And my creative brain immediately starts thinking about how we could.

Thank You for Supporting My Happy Mess

When you shop with Not So Graceful, you're supporting more than a small business.

You're supporting a maker.

You're giving me another reason to sit down with a stack of paper and an idea and see what I can turn it into.

And you're allowing something that started at my craft table to become part of your celebration, your home, your gift or someone's special day.

That means more to me than you probably realize.

So look around.

Find something that makes you smile.

And if you have an idea you can't find anywhere else...

maybe we should make it.

[ SHOP HANDMADE → ]
[ TELL ME YOUR IDEA → ]

Amanda Cross

Maker & Creative Behind Not So Graceful

Colorful. Handmade. A little imperfect. Completely worth celebrating.