Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Harvell.
Hi Amanda, 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?
I have always enjoyed crafting and being creative, but I began to really tap in to this as an adult when I became a stay-at-home mom. We built a new home and every time I would see home decor, I would think to myself “I can make that!” So I started making things to decorate in our home and I would post my excitement on social media. Friends began asking if I could make something for them, so I started making and building things to sell. In 2020, when Covid began, lumber prices went up so I stopped making things from wood. In early 2022 I came across mobile paint parties and was absolutely intrigued with this, so Rusty Paint Brush was born! Most of the events I did was by word of mouth, but that was okay as I wasn’t really ready to offer to the public “officially”. I was so afraid of rejection and wasn’t sure which direction I was being called to go. In early 2025 I decided I either needed to start trying to grow this business or give it up, so I decided to reach out to some of the local coffee shops and they were so receptive to this idea! This was the confidence boost that I needed! In October 2025 I accidentally ran across The District Exchange and the spaces it was offering and out of curiosity, I sent an inquiry to them just asking for more information. I was in no way in a position to have a brick & mortar, but was being nosey. They asked if we wanted to come and see the space, so my husband and I thought there was no harm in looking. After we met, we both just knew this was something we needed to pursue! We found a way to make it happen and after 2 1/2 months building out the space, we opened at the end of January 2026! We are still trying to figure some things out as new business owners, but absolutely believe we are doing exactly what God has called us to do!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t been hard, per se, but there are certainly challenges navigating being a business owner and all that it entails. Also, the financial side of getting it started has been challenging as we not only had to build out the space, but we had to stock it with inventory. When I say this wasn’t anything we were ‘looking’ for, we weren’t, which means we hadn’t not been saving for this opportunity. God is definitely providing all of our needs, so we are so very thankful!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Rusty Paint Brush is a collective of all kinds of creative possibilities! We offer instructor led painting on canvas and painting on ceramics. We installed black lights in our space to be able to offer GLOW paint parties where we paint with neon paint that glows and the response has been nothing short of amazing!!! Kids parties are a huge hit and now adult parties have begun!! We offer crushed glass suncatchers with resin and we also offer wide brim hat, trucker hat, various types of bags, and journal burning. If you are unfamiliar with what ‘burning’ means, it is where the guest chooses a design to use as a stencil and then uses a wood burning tool to ‘burn’ the design on to the hat. The wide brim hats can then be converted to cowboy/cowgirl hats or left as is! Burning has to be my most favorite option that we offer and believe between it and our GLOW parties, these truly set us apart from others!! We are always adding more fun options to do in our space so that whatever your interests and/or age, there is something for everyone!
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I really love 80’s & 90’s country music, so don’t be surprised to hear this playing in our studio!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rustypaintbrushparty.com
- Instagram: @rustypaintbrushparty
- Facebook: @rustypaintbrushparty
- Other: TikTok: Rusty Paint Brush
