My current hyperfixation to keep me from scrolling mindlessly on TikTok or rotting on the couch with nothing else but endless Love Island episodes is creative: to start a random craft or art project and see how far it can take me. I’ve crocheted, painted, modge-podged, wrapped jewelry—not enough to make me an expert, but certainly enough for me to scour Wilmington’s local crafting markets and Instagram to find inspiration and creativity wherever I can. Here are some especially beautiful art pieces I’ve come across, and the imaginative and prolific young women behind them. 

Bella Cacciato’s “By Bella Mia”

“I’ve been making art as long as I can remember,” Cacciato recalled. “My mom would always sign me up for art classes as a kid because she knew I loved it. I did my first market when I was maybe 9?”  

What first drew me to Cacciato’s art was the variety of what she produces. Not only does she carve her own stamps to make personalized prints and put them on shirts, but she also has an array of abstract, experimental canvas paintings stemming all the way from oil-pastel orchids to comic-book style cartoons.  

Cacciato says her biggest inspirations are artists who incorporate bright colors in their works, like Matisse and Andy Warhol. Warhol specifically is what brought her to her comic-book pieces; that and her love for trying all sorts of new things. “I feel like I go through phases of what I like and don’t like. I’ve always been better at cartoons or abstract than realism,” Bella admitted. “So, I think that’s what makes me like the comic book style I’m doing a lot right now.” 

In the future, Bella hopes to open an Etsy shop where she can display her talents and grow a larger community. Her products typically sell for between $15-$30, depending on apparel, prints or commissioned art pieces. Keep an eye out for her around the Cargo District or outside The Shed, and feel free to check out her Instagram @bybellamiaa or her website to find a multitude of new pieces to add to your closet or living room wall.  

Erin Lewis’ “Erin Unraveled”

Erin’s work immediately caught my eye from the moment I saw it. Lewis started her crochet journey back in 2019 shortly after her mom’s passing when her dad found a bucket of yarn and crafting supplies with her things. “I set out to teach myself. After a ton of YouTube videos, I was addicted and decided to start my business in 2022.”   

Crocheting is about patience and troubleshooting, Lewis explains. “As I’ve evolved as a crocheter,” she says, “I’ve taken on larger and more intricate projects that challenge me and help grow my skill set.” Lewis’s current obsession in her work is making heart-shaped “cakes” that open to hold jewelry. She buys heart-shaped jewelry boxes and crochets the outside to make it look like delicious confectionary. 

“I’m always trying new patterns and experimenting to find what really lands with people. I always want to make things that I enjoy making, but I also want my art to be functional too,” Lewis remarks. She hopes to expand her business to craft shows in the Triangle area and have her work reach as many people as possible. You can find her items available anywhere from $10-$80. Find her @erin_unraveled on Instagram and see where she’ll be next!  

McKenna Rakaczewski’s “MRackFlix”

Rakaczewski, a good friend of mine and local ocean-dweller, finds her artistic motivation from the sandy shores of Wrightsville Beach. “Since moving to the beach, I’ve witnessed a significant evolution in my art,” McKenna states. “Being immersed in an environment that aligns so closely with my style has made it far easier to find inspiration and create.” 

Rakaczewski recalls loving art from a very young age. When she took ceramics in high school, she was fascinated with being able to see the time and hard work she invested turn into something tangible and real. Nowadays, she enjoys experimenting with printmaking and mix-media to create pieces entirely her own. 

“I have a deep appreciation for the natural world,” McKenna says. “The ocean is one of my favorite things to photograph. I often turn to ‘The Surfer’s Journal’ for inspiration when styling art forms, as its aesthetic value resonates with me.” Rakaczweski also gains a lot of inspiration from photographers and artists like Ezequiel Rivero (@ezrivero) and Terry Urban (@terryurban) on Instagram. 

Cam Hegarty’s “Scrappy Dappy”

I first heard of Scrappy Dappy in class from a former communications student Parker Hall who created and produced a short film showcasing Cam’s small business of up-cycled, sewn and stamped clothing.  

Hegarty grew up dancing and found that the movement of art was something she was easily inspired by and would continue to play with throughout her creative journey. “That was the start of creation for me and since then I’ve grown a deep love and appreciation for endless other mediums,” she stated. 

Hegarty has experimented with a wide array of things: everything from the Japanese art style of Gyotaku to cyanotype to making sun-printed patches to put on her clothing. There is no limit to Cam’s ability; however, she is honest about how her process gets bogged down sometimes. “Inspiration is a tricky thing for me. The days when you really long for that creative spark, you simply cannot force it to happen. Inspiration will come in waves and learning to just ride them out is a game of patience to say the least. And when that wave does finally come, there’s nothing quite like it!”

Cam’s goals for the future are to keep doing what she’s doing and to never lose her whimsy; that is what Scrappy Dappy is all about. “I would love to see myself and Scrappy Dappy dive into countless other artistic mediums, further explore the world of repurposing, simply remain happy, healthy, and to never lose my love for creating.” Hegarty’s products range between $25-$80 for purchase. Follow Cam @scrappydappybycam on Insta or visit her website to explore countless unique designs. 

These artists, and so many others like it, cultivate a social environment rich with creativity and talent. Next time you order clothes on Amazon or make a Target run for some new room decorations, consider reaching out to these crafters to add something original and ingenious to your life.