Meet Tamika Bell | Therapeutic Art Life Coach

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

Hi Tamika, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The most important thing I have learned is that I am not selling a product.

I am a people person that is representing a brand that I believe in.

When I focus on the people and not the money everything falls into alignment.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My name is Tamika Bell and I’m originally from New York City. I was born in Manhattan, grew up for a short for some years in New Jersey then moved back to New York before migrating to Arizona in 2012. I have always had a creative nature and started out on my crafting journey officially back in 2005 when I handmade all of the trinkets and ribbons that were given out for my own baby shower. Once I figured out that I have a knack for recreating things I got into the habit of giving custom gifts things that I could put my own personal touch on so that the person I was giving the gift to would understand that they were loved and appreciated and that time was taken out to specifically craft it for them.

During the pandemic, when I was furloughed I decided to start my own business and we started out cooking as Mystic Belle Kitchen LLC. I was networking around the valley trying to figure out if I wanted to do a food truck, or if I wanted to get restaurant space, did I wanna do catering? Eventually, what I came upon was deciding to migrate away from the kitchen due to not being able to be on my feet for long periods of time dealing with chronic pain and I decided to lean into my crafts. In doing this, I purchased my first Circuit machine and by March 2021, I was doing pop-ups around the valley. I rebranded my business as Fairy Craft Motha with the purpose to provide people with custom gifts that set intentions. As well as help other small businesses with their branding.

During my networking ventures, I ended up at Chic Chef Cafe and met one of my mentors, who I am happy to call one of my bridge builder sisters, Kurnita Wallace. Little did I know that within. A few months Kurnita would reach out to me to see if I could provide some artistic release for some clients that were in substance abuse. Recovery. I had never, ever held a class. I had never, ever been in front of a group of people. I had never, ever even considered going into the field of behavioral health. But Kurnita believed in me and I showed up. Since April 2022 I’ve been going around the valley to different substance abuse programs multiple times a week and helping them learn how to get back to the art, get back to the creativity, and use it as a coping skill. Actively helping them continue on their journey to sobriety by giving them something else that they can pick up instead of the drugs.

While working with this population I realized how important art and creativity are. I realized how important it is to let people share their stories. I’m an introvert and Art is one of the nonverbal communication skills I use on a regular basis. I enjoy nonverbal communication. Art gives these people the opportunity to express their stories, without having to verbally tell their tales. Ultimately, I saw the value in the wellness that comes with Therapeutic Art.

Therapeutic Art is different from Art Therapy. Art Therapy focuses on the psychology of things and the behaviors of the clients. Therapeutic Art, it is literally just that. It is not as confined and restricted as Art Therapy. However, you can gain some of the same exact benefits without the institutionalized structure. I find that this makes even the most skeptical person comfortable in my presence as we go through these projects.

My style of Therapeutic Art provides all of the supplies, set the scene, and gives them some examples before giving the artist free reign with the project. On some occasions, I even do full presentations to motivate the artist within the session. I allow my clients to set their own vibe, and that does mean listening to music, watching TV or if they just want to talk to me or the people around them, they’re welcome to do so. I create a safe space where people can respectfully converse about anything or listen to any type of music. Sometimes these sessions get deep and they do trigger some emotions, and that’s OK. I’m here to help work through them, I’m here to be a listening ear, I’m here to give perspective without, being that daunting authority figure.

I have worked with clients ranging from 8-70 years old. I have done sessions in person one-on-one, group sessions, classes as big up as up to 35 people at a time, and virtually. It just depends on what the client needs and what I’m able to provide. I try to customize each class, event, or session to the needs of my clients.

What I am the proudest of at this point. In my business is that I’ve become an advocate. I have become an advocate for those that are introverted and cannot or will not speak their truth. I give them an outlet, but I’m also comfortable enough in my own skin to speak up for them when necessary. Growing up, I was always so introverted, this is a big step for me every time I speak up for someone other than myself. I know that I’m on the right path. I moved to be there for others, I moved to be there to help. Whether it’s through them creating an artistic piece or just speaking to me. I’ve realized that. My perspective is valuable to others and I genuinely enjoy sharing it. The old adage is, “Be the change that you want to see”.That’s what Fairy Craft Motha is doing. We are branching out.

We’ve launched our own natural hair and skin care line Amunet Apothecary. Through this product line, we’re hoping to continue the journey of wellness and self-care creating high-vibrational moments through educating and cultivating within the community.

Amunet Apothecary is a vision of mine that I’m watching come to life every day. There was a point in my life when I wanted to be a hairstylist. Around the time I signed up for school, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. I had to face the reality that my body was no longer able to take the stress of what the life of a stylist looked like. It was a dream deferred. Now I’m circling back. Into that industry that I love so much not only to provide a product but to provide education. Teaching people about the self-care and self-love that comes with taking care of your natural or locked hair. I’ve been doing hair since I was 12 years old for friends and family. I never got paid for it, it is a creative passion. Now, although I cannot be a stylist the way I intended, I have the products and education to guide the next generation which is very important to me. The products are crafted in collaboration with Noyami Labs out of South Carolina, which is black woman-owned. Some of our products are made right here in my home with my 10-year-old daughter. We handcraft our Sugar Scrubs. Bath Salt and Milk Baths. This is an experience I can share with my child. This is an experience that bonds us. Not only as mother and daughter but as business owners looking to the future.

All in all, the heart of my business Creative Safe Spaces, LLC, is cultivating safe spaces to create and just be your genuine self. The idea is to give everyone that is willing a safe space to create and do the things that make them happy. Without creativity, humanity will cease to exist. I bring to the table the opportunity for everyone to feel free and comfortable thinking outside the box as we continue to grow forth as a species, human race, and international community.

What sets me apart from others, is that I do not consider myself an artist but a creative. When I say this, yes, I can produce pretty pieces of art that people would like to, however. My focus is more on the creative side of things. When people ask me what Fairy Craft Motha does, my answer is always what doesn’t she do? My style is more of just letting nature take its course with the supplies given versus having a structured set piece that I’m working on. My personal art style translates through different mediums, whether it’s food, wood, hair, paint, clay, or whatever else I can get my hands on and learn how to use. I take all the skills that I have learned to teach others how to use art in a therapeutic manner. The idea, ultimately is to use your creative side as a tool for self-care, and self-reflection and to give yourself and others a perception of who you are without necessarily having to speak on it. Most people do not realize it, but the version of art or creative alleyway that I expose awakens within people as a coping skill to get their stress and anxiety out. The flip side of that is the quirky creative side, the time to create something out of joy and happiness in a safe space.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I don’t really have any favorite spots in the city. Most of the time when I want to go places I ask those that go out more often than me because I am a homebody. I do enjoy trips to Sedona every now and then but that is about it.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shout out to Robin Horace of 7Figure Me for believing in me and taking me on as a client.

The services and motivation Robin provides has been extremely pivotal in the success of this business.

Website: www.fairycmotha.page

Instagram: fairy_craftmotha

Linkedin: Tamika Bell

Facebook: Fairy Craft Motha

Image Credits
Tina Mare The Bridge Builder, Rooted Sol